If you're unable to connect patterns, posts are coming at a 4 day at a time frequency. So what's the occasion today? Well, on this particular day last year I ran a review on Dr. Dre's original Chronic, so I figured why the fuck not finally get to the second installment. This post is also really, really damn long, so get a snack (and leave comments). But first, let me set the scene. After the implosion of Death Row Records, Andre Young left and founded his own label titled Aftermath Records. Naturally, with Dr. Dre being one of the better producers in the game, most fans easily drew the conclusion that his first label album would change the landscape of hip hop all over again.
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Well what do you know, we're back with another review. Maybe the thing about not reviewing as much until summer was a joke. Currently, its around 4:30 at my house, everyone's sleeping, and myself falling asleep is seeming like less and less of a possibility. So I figured I might as well put my insomnia to good use and bless this site with another review. For reasons currently unknown, I has the weirdest urge to review Dr. Dre's The Chronic. I've been on a huge east coast kick as of late so this post is particularity strange. I don't know, maybe its the date.
To set the scene for this album, you must know the backstory. Dr. Dre was an original member of NWA, but felt it was time to move on, so he left Ruthless Records and left the other members in the dust. There's much more to that story that I don't want to cover, but feel free to do some research yourself. And so started the famous Dre-Eazy E beef. We pick up the story here where Dre and Suge Knight are ready for war and create the infamous Death Row Records. Dre's never been the best solo artist, nor did his rapping stand out in his NWA days, so a full length solo album seemed like a recipe for disaster. So dre got a collection of new rapper and his personal buddies to help him release the highest quality product possible. If you don't already know, Dre's new recruits boast the likes of Daz, Kurupt, Lady of Rage, Nate Dogg, Warren G, and the unknown Snoop Doggy Dogg. You didn't think Dr. Dre would settle for mediocrity did you? (Why the hell do you think he's been putting on the finishing touches on Detox for the past 10 years) Musically, this shit was completely groundbreaking. You may not know because of his current work, but Dre used to be a damn good producer. No one else sounded anything like this when it came out, which is a big reason for its commercial and critical success. Dre took the two things he knew best, gangsta rap and funk, and created one of the first successful G-Funk album. If you really want to appreciate the album in its full greatness, you have to take into consideration that no one knew who any of these artists were. Most of you now a days probably thought that snoop dogg has just been around since the beginning of time. Unfortunately that's not true, he actually got his start here while he was still in high school. That's so weird to type, the man is in high school and he's straight up throwing hot ones at Eazy-E. It's a damn shame Snoop has completely lost his mind now, but I like to pretend that's not happening when I listen to this. One more thing, there is no possible way that album cover took more than five minutes to make. It's like they were just running out of time and took a quick snap shot of Dre's pissed off face. Guess they didnt feel like putting any finishing touches on the rest of the cover either, as the majority of the picture is white. I know its supposed to look like a pack of zig-zags, but I still think its pretty lame The best part of this is that all I just stated doesn't effect the music at all, so lets start the review. 1. The Chronic (Feat. Snoop Dogg) What's a rap album without an unnecessary rap intro? A better album, thats what. This actually isn't that bad though, as dre provides a very dre-esque beat, while introduces the super friends. Snoop goes very extreme to let Eazy-E know that he's not thought of fondly amongst the crew. Decent way to start it off. 2. Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin') (Feat. Snoop Dogg, RBX, & Jewel) This would have been a much better way to start off the album. Dre comes out like he's got something to prove over my favorite instrumental of the album. My favorite part of this is that this was a single for the album. Yep, this is Dre's most intense Eazy-E diss track and it got radio play, which had to be devastating to Eazy-E. Well played, Dre. 3. Let Me Ride (Feat. Jewell, Ruben, & Snoop Dogg) Dre follow ups the last single with yet another single. This time its Dre's solo shot, even though snoop Dogg is all over the damn place. Dre raps about the everyday life of none other than himself. This was pretty good overall, but all that really comes to mind is the awesome beat from this one. 4. The Day The N****Z Took Over (Feat. Daz, RBX, & Snoop Dogg) This comes off as a very intense and confrontational track, which is exactly what it is. This is nothing like anything you've heard on the rest off the album, and its great. The song focuses on the Los Angeles riots in the '90s, while successfully introducing some of the other unknown rappers. The winner of the track: RBX. That could be bias because I love RBX and this was the first I had heard from him, but I think he sounds pretty good. 5. Ain't Nuthin' But A "G" Thang (Feat. Snoop Dogg) Seriously? Do I even need to review this? For those who somehow haven't heard this, its widely regarded as one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time and a era defining song. My personal stance on the song: I absolutely love it. I sheer greatness of snoop Dogg and the instrumental makes you completely forget about Dre's awful lyrics. Legendary 6. Deez Nutz (Feat. Snoop Dogg, Daz, Warren G. & Nate Dogg) My all time favorite song to bump in the car. The intros kind of annoying after the first listen, but it leads into an awesome dre instrumental. This isn't the best song on here, but God damn its fun to listen to. At this point on the album, dre starts getting lyrically overwhelmed by the other artist, and he sound terrible here. Check this one out if you haven't, and I dare you not to crack a smile during Nate Dogg's part 7. Little Ghetto Boy (Feat. Snoop Dogg & Daz) I have no idea what was going through Death Rows head when they released this as a single. It's not really a bad song or anything, its just really sad and I doubt anyone would want to hear it on the radio. If you did happen to catch this when it came out, it really showed that they provide some lyrical substance. Now that I listen to it now, its actually a pretty nice change of pace. 8. A N***a Witta Gun (Feat. Snoop Dogg) This was extremely forgettable. After slowing down the pace for a track, dre isn't able to pick up the tempo enough here, as he sounds uninterested and boring. Snoop isnt completely terrible, but doesn't give me anything more memorable than the hook. 9. Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat (Feat. Snoop Dogg & RBX) Much better on this track. Snoop sound reenergized (you can't blame the man for getting tired, he's been on every single song so far) and its nice to get a fairly fresh face on, as RBX makes his next appearance. Dre really shines on here though. Not behind the mic, but he composes one of his better beats for this song. 10. The $20 Sack Pyramid Nope, Snoop Dogg really isn't on this one, but this is only a skit. I've always kind of enjoyed this though. There's no real purpose, except just being kind of funny. That's all I got, next song. 11. Lyrical Gangbang (Feat. Kurupt, The Lady of Rage, & RBX) After the great opening sample, we're led into a posse cut. This has always been one of my favorite tracks because of the members. Not that I don't love Snoop and Dre, but it was time to let these guys shine. Kurupt in particular steals the show, while RBX and Lady of Rages verses are decent enough 12. High Powered (Feat. RBX, The Lady of Rage, & Daz) Don't let the features fool you, this is an RBX solo cut. The intro is incredibly long and unneeded, but isn't terrible because of Dre's awesome instrumental. RBX sounded alright but this is just a long ass skit 13. The Doctors Office Not going to make this more than it is. It's dre having sex, while conveniently in a doctors office. So yeah this is pretty terrible. 14. Stranded On Death Row (Feat. Kurupt, The Lady of Rage, RBX, Snoop Dogg, & Bushwick) Dre gets back to some actual songs with a star featured cast, including a surprise visit from Bushwick Bill of the Geto Boys. (Google him if you get bored) Everyone meshes together perfectly for a great result. Kurupt builds upon his earlier feature and provides a high quality verse, but the real story in Snoop Dogg making his first appearance on the second half of the album. It looks like he's been recharged and lays down one of his best verses. 15. The Roach (The Chronic Outro) (Feat. RBX Emmage, Daz, Jewell, & The Lady of Rage) Holy shit this sucks. I remember absolutely hating this for two reasons the first time I heard the album, and nothing's changed. First, this is a funny thirty second skit that last for four damn minutes. Second, this is not the outro, as it states above 16. Bitches Ain't Shit (Feat. Snoop Dogg, Daz, Kurupt, & Jewell) This one is kind of tricky. It's not listed in the liner note or on the tracklist, but its not a bonus track. The group takes this closing track and spit of incredibly mean and offensive lyrics and I love it. The best part of this song though, is the instrumentals, which absolutely knocks. This is a pretty great way to end the album Rating: 4.5/5 I know I'll probably get some heat for the rating, but there was just a few too many skits and questionable lyrics for me to bump it up to five stars. That's being said, 4.5 is still an incredibly good rating. This has long been considered the crowning achievement of not just Dr. Dre, but the entire west coast. It's certainly earned those accolades and is one of my favorite hip-hop albums ever. If you consider yourself a fan of rap what so ever, then you're wrong if you don't hold this one in your collection. So go out and pick up a piece if hip-hop history and check back for more reviews. |