Very Solid and under-rated album
Ben Goudge | Australia | 01/05/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Coolio is back with his first album since 1997's "My Soul" and he returns with a very solid, but underrated album. Since "Gangsta's Paradise" came out in 1995, Coolio hasn't gotten the props he deserves. I'll go through the tracks.1.Shake It Up - Bouncy party type track. Not bad, pretty catchy (3.25/5)2.Gangbangers (Ft Daz and Spade) - I like this beat. It's mellowed out and cool, but you have to be in a type of mood for it (3.25/5)3.What Is A MC - Coolio brings heat on this one. A funky beat with some elements of rock and catchy lyrics make this one of the best on the album (4.5/5)4.Show Me Love - Very nice track with a great message. A laid back Coolio pledges to fellow homeboys to chill out and don't trip. Don't hate (4/5)5.Ghetto Square Dance - You could almost call this one a classic. Great uptempo party rap song reminescent of "Ooh La La" (4.75/5)6.I Like Girls - Props to DJ Tommek for making such an original beat and it has me stunned. I have mixed opinions on the beat, which is weird but at the end of the day it's cool. (4/5)7.Still Be Mine - Actually don't mind the beat, but it's to simple and get's very boring. (3/5)8.Sunshine - Not a fan of this one (2/5)9.Island Hop - I find this to be an entertaining fresh beat and it does remind me of tropical islands and exotic women (4.25/5)10.The Gambler (ft Kenny Rogers) - Something very different and wasn't a fan when i first heard it on the album. But it grew on me. many criticise, but i give coolio his props, it's cool (4.5/5)11. The Partay - Not bad, that's about all i can say (3.5/5)12. Somebody Gotta Die (ft Krayzie Bone) - Not my type of beat but looking with an open mind it's not a bad beat (3.25/5)13. Hear Me Now - Now this is some killer G-Funk. I love the beat and coolio flows pretty well on this one too. Kinda sounds like a "Fredwreck" (producer) type beat. (4.5/5)14. Knockout Kings - Not a fan (3/5)15. Skirrt (ft B-Real) - Love this one too, top beat and some great rapping. One to bump in ya trunk. 4.25/5.The 2 bonus tracks you can skip, don't know why they were added!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1