The Ying Yang Twins' U.S.A.(United States of Atlanta) showed that the duo had a genuine interest in experimenting with new techniques in hip-hop. Although it contained more of their trademark crunk-raps than anything else, it still expressed that the Ying Yang Twins weren't the one trick pony some of their contemporaries are. Chemically Imbalanced is another step in that experimental region; more so than on almost any major-label release you'll hear. While the Twins subject matter is still rather inane, and their lyrics are far from substantial, the music on this album nearly reaches an OutKast level of genre-bending.
The first single, Dangerous, is amazingly produced; it's just so smooth that you can't help but love it. A simple, almost minimalistic guitar-rhythm lays the ground for this hypnotizing melody. Though the Twins aren't reaching for the stars lyrically, they definitely don't subtract from the quality of this extremely dope track. With an almost 70s blaxpoitation feel to it, and samples from classic tracks like Maneater(Hall & Oates, not Furtado) and Black Betty, this track feels almost groundbreaking in its complete lack of concern for mainstream standards.
That's not the only dope track on this album, though. The rock-tinged Keep On Comin', the chopped and screwed Jigglin', the loungeroom qualities of Big Boy Liquor, the sure-to-be club anthems of Collared Greens, as well as Water, the sentimental Family, jazzy Friday, or the ivory white tinkling of Leave. There are too many highlights on this album to name, and the Ying Yang Twins have benefitted greatly from their refusal to follow industry trends. Like them or not, the Ying Yang Twins we're doing crunk long before Get Low was the club-banger it was in 2003, and they were dropping Wait(The Whisper Song) before snap became the most radio-dominated sub-genre of hip-hop. The Twins haven't followed trends, they've set them.
The Ying Yang Twins have transcended genre boundaries with this release. If you're a fan of mainstream hip-hop, then you'll definitely love this album; it has more than enough hot beats, and catchy hooks to keep you entertained for awhile. However, if you're a fan of underground hip-hop, you should also appreciate this release; it's good music, plain and simple. The Ying Yang Twins maybe mediocre on the microphone, but their creativity more than makes up for their lack of profound lyricism. It's hard to find a hip-hop album this diverse musically that doesn't have Danger Mouse's stamp on it, and it's nearly impossible to find it in the realm of commercial hip-hop; the Ying Yang Twins couldn't give a ****, though.
A Ying Yang Twins greatest hits from their previous releases couldn't even touch this album; this will be looked at as the definitive Ying Yang Twins LP within years to come. While U.S.A. was a relatively weak effort, it showed the Twins in a transitional period; this is the result. And the result is a shockingly dope album from a pair of rappers I never thought were capable of such ill music. The Twins may not be as responsible for this album's success as the producers, which include the legendary Wyclef Jean and Jerry Wonder, as well as Mr. Collipark, but they still deserve equal credit for making these songs work. Pick this album up; you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Great Party Album
Surprisingly fresh.
