A press shot from the salad days…
Styles P, Sheek Louch and Jadakiss have done a pretty good job of sticking to their guns as far as maintaining their CRC-approved status as rappers over the years in terms of subject matter and delivery. Where they’ve often let themselves down, however, has been in the beat selection department, which has prevented any of them from turning in a true classic solo album, despite having some superb deep cuts up their sleeves. Now that they’ve finally recorded a new album under their original moniker again, will they nail it?
‘Omen’
Some faux-Operatic vocal loop mixed with some Quincy Jones and nervous drums set things off for this opening number which never seems to get off the ground.
‘Stupid Questions’
An amusing skit about dealing with rap dummy interviewers, which is basically 95% of all the music media/gossiping bitches.
‘What Else You Need To Know’
An excellent abridged history of the trio’s ups and downs in the music industry. The beat is serviceable, with the exception of the sample on the hook which reminds me of some Playstation 2 Tomb Raider shit.
‘The Family’
A weird trance-like Cloud Rap beat on this one, but once again the rapping saves the day as the crew break down the use and abuse of the term ‘fam.’ This is vintage Warlox material.
‘The Agreement’ feat. Fetty Wap and Dyce Payne
This is the 2016 version of a rap ballad I guess. I take it this ‘agreement’ is some kind of legal document to prevent the fellas getting Tupac Shakur’d after swinging an ep at the No-Tell Motel.
‘Move Forward’
There was once a time, long ago, when the prospect of a DJ Premier beat on a rap record was the source of much celebration and ‘air scratching’ during the hook. Unfortunately it sounds as though everyone is going through the motions here, as a promising opening quickly descends into a pedestrian piano riff.
‘Savior’ feat. Dyce Payne
A classic Isaac Hayes break with the unfortunate addition of some stuttering hi-hats and this Dyce Payne guy doing his darndest Dyce Payne thing, whatever that happens to be. Maybe he gives TED talks?
‘Hard Life’ feat. Mobb Deep
Dame Grease provides music that sounds like the opening credits from an eighties action flick, which isn’t a bad thing if you think about it.
‘Filthy America’
If I hadn’t read the credits I would never have guessed that Pete Rock did this, but he hasn’t really had a signature sound since the early nineties horn thing, has he? That being said, it’s easily the best track on the album in terms of concept, execution and production. For those of us who have little patience for high-concept rap albums, simply setting a song in a courtroom is more than enough atmosphere to provide a great rap song.
‘Bag Allegiance’
I want my twenty seconds back.
‘Secure The Bag’ feat. Gucci Mane and Infra Red
Anyone for trap drums? Didn’t think so. Gucci is entertaining as always, but this doesn’t really work.
Verdict: Predictably, Filthy America…It’s Beautiful suffers from the same problem as all the D-Block solo material, as some great violent, anti-social rapping is wasted on some very ordinary music. Despite this major shortcoming, it’s still one of the more entertaining rap LP’s of the year. Filthy America has more than it’s fair share of entertaining moments, like when Styles says ‘Me, ‘Kiss and Louch’ but it sounds like, ‘Me kissing Louch.’ Chortle. Even though it’s not much of an album on paper, the brief running time ensures that it doesn’t wear out it’s welcome, and since none of the production is particularly offensive other than the last song, it’s actually a solid listen worthy of repeat visits. Here’s hoping they can maintain the momentum and deliver an album with music worthy of their excellent rapping next time around. Might I suggest Lil’ Fame, Agallah, Alchemist and Daringer?
I recently bought someone’s Lox and D Block collection only to find that I can’t differentiate who’s album I’m listening to or if I even like it. Very strange phenomena.
@Caesar: Isn’t D-Block just LOX + J-Hood + some other weed carriers?
Does not appeal to me at all considering i did like the We Are The Streets album at the time enough to buy the album on import. Very dull in the beats dept sounds out of touch. Younger cats are making better music see Griselda. Are Lox not familiar with Alchemist? these are choices based on a contemporary hard edge street sound aesthetically similar to the 90s. It would be a pleasure to listen to the MC’s on some classic production and not throw away backing tracks. The obvious standout and for me the only track id play on the Walkman and on the turntable is ‘Move Forward’.
@Robbie, you wrote:”Might I suggest Lil’ Fame, Agallah, Alchemist and Dillinger?”
Do you mean Daringer?
@Robbie
No idea. The collection I bought consisted of all their solo albums too. Probably about 40 combined. Stuff I stopped checking for when it came out in the mid 2000’s and on. Sheek Louch Walk Witt Me was my favorite one. His other albums are also more consistent than the others. What a waste of money.
LOX got the ALC plug, but are too stupid to use it.
Little Fame and 8off make crackhead beats nowadays.
@Robbie and Caesar: Yeah, D-Block is essentially a bunch of hangers-on.
J-Hood was the first real “member,” but he never delivered on the buzz he created on those early LOX album interludes. Then I think he had a falling out with Kiss and released a few diss tracks. Whatever.
Then you have dudes like Bucky, Bully, Snype Life, etc. who popped up on all those Styles P mixtapes. All those dudes are pretty mediocre.
The “Wu-Block” project was really just a lotta Louch with The LOX bacing him up, I don’t think one D-Block member appeared on the whole album. Maybe Bully?
Decent Album but as stated, some of the production does not mesh well. The LOX sometimes try to cater to the younger/trap generation but they probably don’t check for the LOX regardless. Bars are always on point and there are some heaters on there!
Zero interest. I’d rather (like always) just stick to listening to the dope sh!t in the underground. Who the fcuk that considers themselves HipHop can listen to an album that features Rap Clowns like Fetty Wap and Gucci Mane? No thanks! I don’t have time to waste so I’m mos definitely not gonna waste it on an album with features like the ones I mentioned and an album with below average beats. Beats are #1 to me so no matter how good the Rappin or Emceein is, if the beats ain’t that good then no fcukin thanks. I’ll stick to listening to Hex-One & Tek-nition aka Epidemic. Do yoarself a favor and check them out, Robbie. Way too many people are still asleep. Morons like Westside Clown and the half-asleep Conway don’t deserve the attention they get. Just sayin…
@ D.G
I agree with what you said… older artists who try to appeal to the younger (wack as fcuk) Trap generation are most likely not even bein checked for so why bother tryin to appeal to them? It’seems just stupid. Stick to who you are and stick to your sound. And to me, Trap Music is called Trap Music for a reason, because that’s exactly what it is. If it was HipHop Music then it would just be called HipHop Music. Trap is its own thing just like all that Mumble Rap nonsense. Everything with someone Rappin isn’t HipHop. Anyone can Rap and make Rap song (and just about anyone and everyone does).
These bums have had EVERY chance in the fucking world to make a great album, collectively and solo, and none of ’em came close. This is no different though a Sheek Louch ‘best of’ would be ‘impressive’ for CRC types like us.
3/10
docked a notch for wasted potential
Average at best. I’ll keep banging Dream B.I.G. with Termanology!
I want to see all of Statik Selektah’s production credits this year! Seems like everything he touched was a banger!
I enjoy listening to this album.
Dream BIG was produced by Buckwild.
@Wait Yeah he handled those scratches tho….
@JReynolds: Look out for my Termanology-free version of that song in the new year.
@WiCkEd22 basically you want to listen to the same bullshit you’ve been listening to for the last 20 years.
Styles and Sheeks first solo albums are classics so is We are the Streets.This album was good apart from the fetty wap n gucci things smh.But yea i wanna just hear Lox spitting crazy over Alchemist Statik Selektah and Daringer beats they need that grimey NYC sound RZA n Swizz prolly got a few dark beats in the stash
@doughjoe Nope!
@turkey fiend CLEARLY you have no clue what the term “classic” truly means if you consider anything Lox or Lox related to be “classic”. Jfc.
What? Aren’t you Termie’s biggest fan?
Scratching and producing a song are two different things.
Elitist, ‘golden era’ bullshit. Styles first album is a classic. The new album is good, the Lox never had a traditional ’90s’ sound even in the 90’s so why would they start now?
I haven’t checked out all of politics yet. But Termanology seems to be putting the work in to becoming a half-way decent emcee.
RZA says it takes years in this shit! Better wake up out that dream you mother goose-ass rappers!
They been sell outs since the git-go! They make songs with trap rappers . Just pure trash. These guys never made a classic album in their overrated career.
So many better albums then this garbage to spend time on.
Why even listen to an Album with Fetty Wap and those other girl mumble hicks?
Never understood the hype behind them!!!! Embarrassing to NYC as always.
Pete Rock’s signature sound horn thing…..you are a clown and should leave hip-hop alone. You have no clue
I phux with it! Had it on repeat since it dropped.First off, Move Forward…Premo has been my all-time favorite producer for a long time but that beat was weak, no bottom in the kicks whatsoever. I ket it ride, though. Pete Rock caught the phuk out that track. I hope he rides this momentum he has from the Smoke DZA joint into ’17 and that PR/CL Smoooth joint is another classic. I do not like Fetty Wap but I could even tolerate The Agreement and Gucci Mane was surprisingly halfway decent on Secure The Bag. They said they have another album on deck already, just look at this as the appetizer…
Yo Robbie, we need a Termanology interview.
@Johnny: So your arguement is that Pete Rock didn’t rock horns on the majority of his early remixes? You sound like someone with a rich appreciation of music history. I would like to offer you a job as my new Social Media Brand Manager, commencing immediately.
@Wait: I did interview him for a music mag back in 2008. Here’s a brief snippet: http://www.unkut.com/2008/04/interview-mixed-grill/
Album was good start want a follow up soon with darker production few bangers and some real spitters as features. The Lox have a dope discography Jadakiss solo albums have been the letdowns (beat selection/label interference) Styles and Jada 2 the best Mc’s ever Sheek is under-rated.Their mixtape work is up there with the best ever.Sheeks first 2 solo albums are fire.Styles got at least 5 solo albums that are really dope.Not sure what the hate is about on here (an NY thing?) when it comes to bars not many are even on The Lox level
^^^hahahaha best thing I’ve heard all day