Search - Xzibit :: Restless

Xzibit's Best Album to Date

Scott Esposito | Oakland, CA United States | 12/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Restless LP continues Xzibit's legacy of dropping quality albums and may get him the attention he so richly deserves. Xzibit's debut album, At the Speed of Life, had its faults but was a strong first album that was largely ignored by hip hop fans absorbed by the then dominant Death Row Records. Xzibit showed marked improvement in his second album, 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz, one of the strongest releases of 1998, but again was slept on by the masses. However, by hooking up with hip hop icon Dr. Dre, the Restless LP may give Xzibit the fan base that his excellent lyrics and dedication to hip hop should have already provided him with.Xzibit's lyrics aren't going to revolutionize hip hop; they're a mix of violent braggadocio and hearty amounts of drugs and alcohol. Still, despite these limitations, Xzibit provides clever wordplay in each song and drops more than a few memorable lines. Even more notable is his gruff, aggressive flow. Xzibit doesn't just rhyme over a track, he rampages over it with an electric enthusiasm that leaves even the most robust track thoroughly decimated.Restless starts out with a Rockwilder track, Front to Back. This is your standard Rockwilder beat; definitely a strong start to the album, but nothing spectacular. The album then slips into a passive Battlecat beat featuring Nate Dogg. This track feels and sounds like pure West coast g-funk, something mellow to chill to. While these first two tracks are nice, the Restless LP begins to pick up steam with the first of three Dre-produced tracks, U Know. Following U Know is the first single, an outright banger, X. This is classic Xzibit, a strong, consistent beat, with an infinitely hungry emcee tearing it to shreads.The album continues to pound up banger after banger right up to Don't Approach Me, possibly the finest track on the Restless LP. This duet of Xzibit and Eminem provides an intoxicating insight into these two rappers' takes on stardom, with very appropriate production by Eminem himself. Xzibit comes off nice on this track, but Eminem steals it with two beautiful verses.The rest of the album is all quality material. Especially notable is the hilarious F-ing You Right, Best of Things, and Get Your Walk On.The only real problem I have with this album is that some of the production doesn't quite feel right for Xzibit. He handles himself well on all the tracks, but after hearing him on two grimy, underground albums a few of the beats just feel a little out of place. Also, the standard joint with fellow Golden State Warriors Ras Kass and Saffir is unfortunately absent. However, don't let these minor faults deter you from buying Xzibit's best album to date, defnitely one of the best of 2000."

Nothing Special, Just Becomming More Popular (3.5 Stars)

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 04/29/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Mr X-2-The-Z's 3rd album Restless was actually the first album I have bought by him or anyone in the Liwkit Family. If anyone said that this was his best album, you must have not heard his first two. This is just Xzibit expanding from this Likwit Fam, and now trying to hang with more popular artists such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (Tash tried to do the same thing but as you see, it didn't work for him).



After seeing the "Front 2 Back" video, I wanted to get his CD. After listening to it a few times, I see that Xzibit's lyrical skills hasn't really changed since 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz, but just trying to shoot for mainstream status. The debut single "X" is a perfect example of what I'm saying (Not to mention having Snoop Dogg do the outro was any appealing). "Don't Approach Me" is a good song, only because Eminem's verses are better than his. "F***in' You Right" sounds flat out terrible to me.



There are some times where he can kick it back to the Alkaholik era. "Alkaholic" which features Tha Alkaholiks and Erick Sermon will appeal to those who liked him back on the 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz CD. "Kenny Parker Show 2001" is where he finally stepped up his skills and spit rhymes like he was back on At The Speed Of Life. He actually finishes the CD off on a good note on the song "Loud And Clear" features vocals from King Tee and Defari who are also part of the Likwit Fam.



This CD isn't anything special to me who is a big fan of Xzibit's work, but it's also not his worst (Listen to Man Vs. Machine to see how bad he can get), but it proves to me that he has the skills to rock the mic, but at the same time tries to go a different route. This album has half great tracks and half bad tracks. Unfortunately things haven't been the same for him since this CD. Recommended for fans who liked Xzibit since he appeared on Snoop Dogg's "B Please"



Standout Tracks: Front 2 Back, Alkaholic, Kenny Parker Show 2001, Don't Approach Me, Rims and Tires, Get Your Walk On, and Loud And Clear."