Weapons of Mass Destruction

by

Xzibit

Edit

Xzibit has had a fairly successful career. From his all out classic "Speed Of Life" to his last impressive album "Man Vs. Machine", Xzibit rarely fails to impress, but always has that certain thing boosting it into classic after classic record. The same can be said for X's latest: Weapons Of Mass Destruction. Among X's trademark flow and intelligence, there are a few very whack moments, but the good outweighs the bad on this one...

Tracks and Ratings

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1. State of the Union (Not Rated)

2. Lax (3 1/2 Stars)

3. Cold World (5 Stars)

4. Saturday Night Live (3 1/2 Stars)

5. Mutha***** (3 Stars)

6. Beware of Us (3 Stars)

7. Judgement Day (5 Stars)

8. Criminal Set (4 Stars)

9. Hey Now (2 Stars)

10. Ride or Die (4 1/2 Stars)

11. Crazy Ho (2 1/2 Stars)

12. Big Barking (Skit) (N/A)

13. Tough Guy (3 Stars)

14. Scent of a Woman (3 1/2 Stars)

15. Klack (5 Stars)

16. Back 2 the Way It Was (5+++++++ Stars)

The album kicks off with "State of The Union" which is a very well edited President Bush speech, and a good intro to X's latest album. Some songs on this album have very weak and annoying hook coupled with weak beats. A few that immediately come to mind are "Lax" and "Motherf*cker" but X is hardly whack on either of these.

We also have the vastly overrated "Hey Now" which is just about the worst song X has come out in the past few years. Keri's hook is very uninspired and X's lyrics are whack to say the least.

On a positive note, we have a very hot beat on "Ride Or Die" in which X really shows why he is a lyrical monster that can bite the mic in half. "Criminal Set" follows similar subject matter and content etc over a very old school funk inspired beat...This is very pleasing to the ears.

Another highlight is "Judgement Day" in which Xzibit shares his intelligence well, over a feel good beat and a great chorus. This is X at his most potent, and instead later on he resorts to songs like "Crazy Ho" and "Hey Now"

To me, the two best songs are the last two. "Klack" is a loud and angry joint with a catchy "klack klack klack" hook and a menacing delivery from Xzibit.

"Back 2 The Way It Was" is my personal favourite on the album, is basically THE best song on a mainstream album for 2004. I love it so much. From the untouchable production to Xzibit's great lyrics and remembrance of the good old days, this song is pure classic.

In conclusion, Xzibit's album is very enjoyable to even the most pure hip-hop listener. Undoubtedly, a few songs are definitely not needed, but songs like "Klack", "Judgement Day", and "Back 2 The Way It Was" definitely make this a must have in a music lovers collection. Cop It!

I've been a fan of Xzibit for awhile, since I first heard him on Sway & Tech's album back in '99, but this is the first XZ album I bought, and for any fans wantin' to get into Xzibit right now, this is NOT the album to start off with. Overall, this is just a decent album, plain and simple. I was expectin' some Dre production, some Snoop, Knoc-turn'al, Warren G ghest vocals, but I ghess I missed somethin' from mid-2003 all the way up to this album's release. Was there some kind of fallout between Xzibit and EVERY westcoast producer and rapper? Somebody please tell me. Anyway, this is an album that will get a FEW listens, and not much more. Even good songs like "Cold World", "Beware of Us", and "Ride or Die" can't cut it against Xzibit's hits from his `Restless' album ("X", "Front 2 Back", "Get Your Walk On"). Jelly Roll, Khalil, and Mr. Porter laced those beats respectfully. "Tough Guy" w/ Busta Rhymes is a nice track, but nothin' you'll keep comin' back to. "Back 2 The Way it Was" stands out the most cause it seems like it could fit on `Restless' or even `Man vs Machine'. All in All, this is mildly recommended for hardcore Xzibit fans, cause lyrically, Xzibit is still at his best-the questionable beats can't even rob him of that.