Search - Too Short :: Short Dog's in the House (Clean)

TOO $HORT, BACK FROM THE DEAD...

12/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For any fan of hardcore rap, this is the album to buy. Next to Life is...and Shorty the Pimp, this album was the very best of Too Short's career. I was an obsessed Too Short fan in the late 80's and early 90's, and after his second nationwide album (Life Is...) many rumors were being spread around that Too $hort was dead. I personally heard that he died from an overdose. Many believed that Too $hort faked his demise after catching heat over the lyrics in Cusswords referring to first lady Nancy Regan, and that Short had become Ron C, a rapper out of Texas who sounded much like the Oakland Pimp. But any true Short fan could tell that Ron C was NOT the same artist as the legendary self-made platinum king, Short Dog. So when Too $hort came out in 1990 with the album Short Dog's in the House, it was a big relief for us fooled by the rumors of his death. Short even speaks out on the rumors in one of my personal faves of this album, "Dead or Alive." One of the things I loved about the OLD Too Short is the length of his songs, he would rap for 8, 9 or 10 straight minutes, rarely repeating himself, his motto "Don't Stop Rappin'" was true. And the beats...the music was so great. And he also made albums double sided...a cleaner side and a dirty side.
Song review:
1. "Short Dog's in the House"-a funky song, a homage to all of the cities that Short had rocked over the years...he even mentioned my own home town which was always cool to me.
2. "It's Your Life"-a song featured in BOYS N THE HOOD, a powerful bass kick, a preaching song about taking the right path in life.
3. "The Ghetto"-a great single, Short at his positive best, the greatest storyteller of inner city life and struggle. An R & B classic for hip hop.
4. "Short But Funky"-written by an old Oaktown rival Dangerous Dame, this song was just smooth, great flowing lyrics, and rated PG for the kids to play when their mom's around.
5. "In the Oaktown"-Some very clever lyrics, as all the songs on this LP.
6. "Dead or Alive"-Clever, awesome beat, never ends, Too Short is back from the dead!
7. "Punk B***h"-the dirty raps begin, the pimp comes out!
8. "Ain't Nuthin' But a Word to Me"-Duet with the very best rapper in the biz, Ice Cube. Classic hip hop duet, do not miss.
9. "Hard on the Blvd."-One of the hardest, roughest, coolest songs Short has ever done. This is something to ride to.
10. "Pimpology"-Classic Short Dog at his pimpin' best, funny.
11. "Paula & Janet"-the trademark song, as nasty as it gets.
12. "Rap Like Me"-Like an old Jazz man spitting knowledge to the crowd in a dark lounge...Too Short tells us he's the king of slow rap.I highly recommend this album to any new or Old Too Short fan. I personally feel his new work is lacking the creativity, cleverness and skill that his early work had. He started sounding the same, writing lyrics that were pure smut and predictiable, and had too many guest apperances. After Cocktales, it was a slow death for my love of Too SHort. But I still remember the old days. He deserves respect, to still be on top without any radioplay or exposure on MTV. Buy this record and listen to a real legend on the mic at his best. Also, check out Born to Mack, Life is..., Shorty the Pimp and Get in Where you fit in."

For the people who think they understand rap, but don't

Bryan D. Emerson | 07/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is this a classic, source, xxl, or any of the above. But for the real true hip-hop and rap fans and not these modern day bandwagon jumpers, u understand that old school rap is about not only delivery but a time frame. This record gives you a blueprint of real life hood experiences for people who were actually present from 1984 to 1993. Of course someone who just began or was exposed to rap would think of the new rappers as their foundation it is what you were trying to understand. But these old school rappers are the foundation, take away their deliveries, punchlines, and stories, and you have no hip-hop or rap, give respect to the pioneers who did it for almost next to nothing because it was for the feeling inside and not for what the public expected them to do or be. RECOGNIZE u B*****s!!!!!!"

Too $heezy's Masterpiece

D-Gambler | Bay Area, CA. | 09/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""My 2nd favorite rap album would be Too $hort, Short Dog's In The House"-Nuttso of Oakland's Street Thugs.



Too $hort mastered the science of his craft with this fantastic album. Todd Shaw was a consistent rap artist on a major label from "Born To Mack" up until 1995's "Cocktales". "Short Dog's In The House" is his most focused set of songs with memorable production to back it. There's a diverse range of subject matter such as rumors about his demise, the influence of his independent success, the hardships of ghetto life, pimping 101, and turning two of the late 80's biggest RnB/Pop singers into exploited porn stars,lol. "In The Oaktown" is a funkier, updated version of "Oakland" from the last album.



The only thing that tarnishes this flawless effort a little bit is the last track "Rap Like Me". A new version of "Cusswords" which doesn't work because the beat is mediocre. "Pimpology" would of been a great way to end it. This album came out during an exciting year for Oakland, CA. 1990. MC Hammer, EnVogue, Toni,Tony, Tone, and Pebbles were blowing up the music scene and putting Oaktown on the map. With the exception of skipping the last song, this has all the ingredients that make a classic album. From the great cover art drawing just like "41fivin'", "Doggystyle", and "Makaveli". Consistent music from the beginning to the end, and the timing of the album's release. This is Todd Shaw's greatest musical opus."