This is the follow-up to the Geto Boys' self-titled major-label release. It contains more of the group's signature Houston sound and violent lyrics referencing murder, drug dealing, rape, and racism, but does so this time with a slightly difference sound that scales back the production a little bit in favor of bouncier, almost "easier to dance to" backdrops in some spots, while mellowing out a little in others.

Partying! You could almost get away with throwing on a few of these jams at a house party where hardly anyone is paying attention to the lyrics. Something like "Ain't With Being Broke" is relateable on a wider level and skimps on the violence a little, but amps up the funk a little more.

The breakout hit from this album, "Mind Playin' Tricks On Me"- built around a sample from Isaac Hayes' "Hung Up On My Baby"- has distinct verses that could resemble horror film shorts. The detail is precise and the emotion, particularly in Scarface's verse, shows a maturation from the bluster and hype of what it's like to live a certain lifestyle and come to grips with its realities.

I'm not a fan of the production on this record, plainly said. It feels like more of an attempt to sound commercial and fit in on pop radio, as opposed to the blatant, in-your-face beats that stomped all over their previous record. There's much more soul and funk this time around, giving the album an almost cheesy, amateurish feel that doesn't mach the strength of the lyrics and storytelling. It's unfortunate, because a second straight powerhouse album could've vaulted the Houston rappers into prime contention for having some of the hardest beats, but they went a different route instead.

I wanted to kinda chill out, actually. Where their last album built you up to feel like you could run through a brick wall, the mood this time around is of the person who jogs through behind you after you made the hole. While there's still plenty of violence and murder on this album, the vibe is toned down and at times replaced with a college frat party vibe similar to the 2 Live Crew.

Slightly disappointed...if you picked this up hoping for more of the same, like their last album, the drop-off and change is very noticeable. While still good for repeated listens, some of the tracks clearly didn't age well and don't hold up against the more powerful, volatile songs in the group's catalog.

All three MCs- Bushwick Bill, Willie D, and Scarface- have released solo records since this album dropped, but only Scarface has gone on to sustain mainstream success. Willie D is actually a successful real estate agent, if I'm not mistaken.

All in all, it's the storytelling in the lyrics that makes the Geto Boys so intriguing. Again, they're not for everyone and you'll know within thirty seconds of most songs as soon as they come on if you're into it or not (if you couldn't tell by the album cover or the song titles). I would but the stories in their songs up against masters of the craft...their rhymes are deeper in places than Jay Z's, Biggie's, or Tupac in his prime. They maybe aren't as poetic, but they can paint a murder scene with their words better than anyone else.

Again, it's not for everyone. If you're triggered by violence, definitely don't listen to this. If you're a child, stay away from it (obviously). There's plenty of misogyny and brutality to go around, which may turn off many listeners and outweigh the overall strength of the lyrics.

One could argue that this album, were it in the form of a book or short film, wouldn't appear to be that violent...someone else would be acting out roles played in front of us. But since all we have are lyrics and sinister (at times) beats/production values, we're forced to rely much more on our own imagery...therefore recreating the violence in our heads and ultimately using that as a referendum on the group itself. In my opinion, were any of the great murder/horror/mystery writers to include passages in their books similar to songs like "Chuckie" (which is based on the doll in the movie Child's Play) or "Mind Playing Tricks On Me", their sales wouldn't suffer nor would they be as vilified for their work. But because this is hardcore rap, there almost feels like a double-standard at play when looking at other reviews of this album, and that's unfortunate.

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Created Jun 16, 2017 at 2:32pm • Submit your own review...