Method Man, Redman

Editor's Review:

Having seen Redman and Method Man perform together at the Hard Knock Life Tour, I had a good idea what I was in for when I picked up their new album, Blackout! At the show, Redman offered little more than a distraction to a much more talented Meth. While Redman's performance on Blackout! didn't entirely dissolve this supposition, he did hold his own on this 19-track compilation.

The Def Jam emcees' collaboration initially impressed me by paying homage to a hip-hop classic on the second cut, the title track. "Brdddd stick 'em. Ha, ha-ha, stick 'em,"-it takes a little more to dazzle this old school critic. Eventually though, Blackout! crosses the line between tribute and theft. Indeed, so many samples permeate this effort that listeners will find themselves with more a sense of boredom than déjà vu.

Still, a few tracks make this CD worth your time-just maybe not 17 bones. "Blackout," "Y.O.U." and Das EFX cover "Checka" are at least fodder for a mix tape. Another track worth visiting is "Serial Killer"-misspelled "Cereal" on the CD cover, but no one ever called hip-hoppers brainiacs.

Method Man-a.k.a. Johnny Blaze, a.k.a. The Iron Lung, a.k.a. Meth Tical- is Blackout!'s saving grace. The Wu-banger's humorous, fluid and versatile delivery style furnish an adequate antidote to Redman's less-than-stellar flow, the album's over-reliance on samples, and a fumbling cameo by LL Fool J-two references to Thug Passion in a 30-second spot? What happened to you L?

Devout Meth fans who will want to get their hands on this one would be well advised to share the cost with a friend. Don't shell out too much-it's worth a few spins, but don't expect to be still listening to Blackout! a month from now.

Bookmark:

Record Label Def Jam Records Released January 1980

Tracks A Special Joint Tear It Off Mi Casa Maaad Crew The ? Cheka 1, 2, 1, 2 Da Rockwilder Run 4 Cover 4 Seasons Dat's Dat S**t Blackout Y.O.U. Cereal Killer Fire Ina Hole Where We at (Skit) Well All Rite Cha Big Dogs Hoe High [Remix]