Search - Eve :: Scorpion

Buy her debut instead

stevey wundar | Houston | 03/19/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I actually own this Eve album and not her debut.



Funny thing is, somebody in Eve's camp told her to soften her image and go pop to sell albums. If that's all you want from hip hop, party/club/radio-friendly music (not meant to sound condescending or belittling, but just stating facts) then buy THIS album.



However, even though I wasn't a fan and never was a hardcore Eve fan, I recognize game.



Eve was on a whole 'nother level on her debut "Ruff Ryder's First Lady (1999)."



She was still down with DMX 'n crew, and her music, in my opinion, was better 4 it.



Hearing tracks on her debut album like "Love Is Blind" (which also had a great video to match the song's tale of women not toleratin' domestic violence), it's hard to hear her rappin' along side Gwen Stefani (great artist) on the poppy, popcorn-flavored "Let Me Blow Ya Mind."



She just totally went from one extreme to the next and her music lost the edge and the sociopolitical bite it otherwise had.



I don't mind the pop, crossover kinda music (it does have its place), I just find myself purchasing and championing more of the underground, real hip hop stuff b/c it doesn't get played on the radio anymore if a rapper's not maintaining the radio status quo."

4.5 stars

W. E. Phillips | USA | 12/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With most rappers, after having a double platinum debut they lose their hunger and become way too cocky. This is not the case with Eve. On her sophomore album, she is more hungry than ever before. She is confident, not cocky, and delivers some of the best rhymes ever to come out of the mouth of a female emcee. (And she even does some singing on here! And she can actually carry a tune.) The beats on here, once again, are top notch on every song. There are a few too many guest appearances, but that really proves to be this album's only flaw. This album is a huge improvement from her okay first, Let There Be Eve... In my eyes, this is a hip hop classic and everyone should at least give it a listen. I bump this one start to finish. I highly recommend."

"Why You Listen To The Rest, You Got The Best Right Here",

Jenny J.J.I. | That Lives in Carolinas | 06/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"She is one hundred percent right. Eve's second album is no sophomore slump. Gone the short blond locks and in its place a hot red perhaps keeping in theme with the album title Scorpion. She co-wrote every song on the album, except for a couple of the skits. She flawlessly raps over extremely hot beats with sass and style.



Her rhymes flow just as lucidly here as they did on her debut, and she sounds even more confident than before. Given her ensemble cast of producers and guest rappers, she probably should sound confident. When you have Swizz Beatz and Dr. Dre handling the better part of your album, along with a few other tracks handled by Ruff Ryder producers Teflon and DJ Shok. In terms of guests, the Ruff Ryders (DMX, Drag-On, and LOX) make their expected cameos.



The tracks that stands out to me: "Who's That Girl?," "Scream Double R," "Cowboy," "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," and "Life Is Hard," a unique soulful moment late in the album with Teena Marie contributing a diva chorus and Eve dropping some heartfelt lyrics.



At 16 tracks, this album doesn't overreach and really doesn't have too many surprises. There are a few flawed moments where the choruses aren't as catchy as they intend to be, but for the most part Eve plays it safe. If you liked her first album, you'll like this one just the same.

"