Dr. Dre returns with enjoyable release
By Wes Woods II
Daily Forty-Niner
Well, it's not "The Chronic."
Dr. Dre's newest album, "Dr. Dre 2001,"
is not nearly as groundbreaking as his 1992 classic "The Chronic."
The timeless release ushered in synthesized
funk instrumentals, the smooth yet assertive style of Snoop Dogg and former
heavyweight record label Death Row.
Instead, "Dr. Dre 2001" (on his Aftermath
Entertainment label within Interscope) provides a refreshing break from
hip-hop's somewhat stagnant direction with its use of different sounds
and tempos, making for an enjoyable, diverse album.
Yes, Dr. Dre still manages to captivate
and demand hip-hop's attention with his stellar production and West Coast
lyrical content.
But "Dr. Dre 2001" won't compel any rappers
to change their sound.
The horn and string instrumentals, mid-tempo
drums and hard lyrics have been heard elsewhere in one form or another.
While the album is painstakingly produced,
there is nothing revolutionary about it.
Many of the songs on the album have a "Been
There Done That" feel, Dre's relaxed song on his Aftermath Entertainment
compilation album.
The Compton native raps confidently about
his trend setting accomplishments in hip-hop, discusses various parts of
his personal life and speaks graphically about sexual encounters with women.
The album opens with the relaxed, somewhat
somber effort of "The Watcher," with Dre recalling how "best friends and
money/I've lost them both/ … I just sit back and watch the show."
Dre questions those who felt he fell off
("when your album sales wasn't doin' too good/who's the doctor they told
you to go see?") on the futuristic sounding instrumental of "Forgot About
Dre," featuring Eminem.
"The Message," featuring Mary J. Blige,
is about Dre's deceased brother.
The song has an enticing mid-tempo groove
with melodic keyboards that are haunting.
Dre's lyrics on this track ("I miss you/sometimes
I wish I just died with you.") are also moving.
Other strong efforts include the unsettling
scratch of gunshots on the chorus of the melodic "Bang Bang;" the uptempo
"F-- You" with Snoop Dogg and Devin (who steals the song with his comedic
sing-song delivery); and the single "Still D.R.E.," with Snoop, which was
co-written by Jay-Z.
Some songs, however, seem to clutter the
release with their faulty instrumentals.
Lazy, plodding tracks like "Bitch N----"
(with decent lyrical efforts by Snoop, Hittman and Six-Two) and "Some L.A.
N----" (with what seems to be every rapper in L.A. giving inspired performances)
don't quite make the cut. |
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