Thug World Order (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

...would never fall off; T.W.O.: Thug World Order nixed each and every mention of that throughout the entire discography of Bone Thugs & Harmony. Rumors of an impending split, the guy who discovered them dying of AIDS, and an incarcerated Flesh n Bone; the foursome managed to still bring hits like E. 1999 Eternal, Creepin On A Come Up, and everything else they dropped. Then they had to come out with this monstrocity.

There is a grand total ...
...trash.

T.W.O.: Thug World Order was the end of the line for Bone, specifically Bizzy, who made his final collaborative appearance on a Bone album (until the rumored The World's Enemy LP coming soon). It would be four long years before Bone would come back and unfortunately they have yet to make a splash anywhere close to what they did in the 90s. Save your shelf space here.   ... more

Bone Bone Bone Bone...

For an act that constantly reminded us that they would never fall off; T.W.O.: Thug World Order nixed each and every mention of that throughout the entire discography of Bone Thugs & Harmony. Rumors of an impending split, the guy who discovered them dying of AIDS, and an incarcerated Flesh n Bone; the foursome managed to still bring hits like E. 1999 Eternal, Creepin On A Come Up, and everything else they dropped. Then they had to come out with this monstrocity.

There is a grand total of FOUR highlights on T.W.O.: Thug World Order. Thirteen songs, FOUR are worth listening to. The lead single, "Get Up & Get It" is vintage positive Bone backed by underrated pop-group 3LW. It reminds me of the very best that they are capable of. When the second single "Home" came out, I remember REALLY having high hopes and being excited for this album's release. The song is just a carbon copy of Phil Collins' "Take Me Home" with Krayzie, Layzie, and Wish rapping about daily, everyday problems that we all face and perservering and Collins on the chorus. The song is in the same vein as previous Bone classics in the way that the song tugs at the heart strings. It's the best song on the album. In addition to that, Bone takes a page from Michael Jackson on "Not My Baby" where the foursome are in a war of words with their very own set of "Billie Jeans". "Cleveland Is the City" is Bone biggin' up their town, backed by R&B singer Avant and a nice assortment of keys.

The remainder of the material on this album ranges from average to lackluster to downright embarrassing. One of the major issues is the repetitive nature of some of the songs. The exact same message is sent on "Bone Bone Bone", "Guess Whos' Back", and "What About Us"; basically the group telling us that yes - they are back. Does it really take three songs to make that point? The last one of this triad of terror is one of the worst songs of Bone's career. Then there's an assortment of songs that I don't hate, but fail to hook me. Other than Bizzy Bone's appearance, "All The Way" fails to capture my attention in any way. "Pump, Pump" again, it's fine, but I'm not rushing to hear it again. "Set It Straight" is plagued by unfitting production and Bone reminding us of their accomplishments. Almost every song on here reminds us of all their accomplishes, which to me is as played out as rapping about riches, or concordingly, rapping about being broke.

Then there's "Money, Money", another one of the album's singles. Make no mistake, this song is NOT necessarily materialistic; it's more like "1st of Tha Month" and "Paper, Paper", but once again Bone decides not to leave their comfort zone and remind us of past successes. But that's not even what irks me. The beat on this song is one of the most annoying pieces of shit I've ever heard. It can only be described as a rooster being run over by a moped and fighting for its life. Bone should be ashamed to allow themselves on such trash.

T.W.O.: Thug World Order was the end of the line for Bone, specifically Bizzy, who made his final collaborative appearance on a Bone album (until the rumored The World's Enemy LP coming soon). It would be four long years before Bone would come back and unfortunately they have yet to make a splash anywhere close to what they did in the 90s. Save your shelf space here.  

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