05/08/07 - Back on track ... no Bones about it

robby84 · 05-08-2007, 09:59 AM

BY JIM FARBER
DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC

Tuesday, May 8th 2007

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony made history by blurring the line between singing and rapping in their lightning fast rhymes and gelati smooth flow.

Unfortunately, that was more than 10 years ago. In the time since, the trademark Bone Thugs sound - rap's answer to doo-wop harmonizing - coarsened into a gimmick. Too many solo albums and guest appearances from its members, not to mention a rash of previous comeback attempts, wore the brand down.

This time it's different. Buoyed by a new deal with ace producer Swizz Beatz, Bone Thugs have fashioned their most energetic and densely worded CD since their mid-'90s peak.

The entire group doesn't appear on "Strength & Loyalty." Just three of the five Bones do: Wish, Krayzie and Layzie. (Bizzy was ousted and Flesh remains in jail for weapons possession and assault.)

Some fans may argue that "Strength" tips too far toward the group's pop side (as opposed to their thuggish side). And it's a fairly antique version of pop at that. Samples come from sources as aging, and mall-friendly, as Fleetwood Mac and that '70s one-hit wonder Jigsaw (remember "Sky High"?).

But the Mac lift (from "The Chain") brilliantly weaves the song's dusty guitar line and stalwart bass into two brand-new hooks, both encouraging the group's most dizzying vocal feats. You'll find newer hooks provided by Mariah Carey, on "Lil Love," and Akon, on "I Tried." A track with Yolanda Adams makes for a believable meld of hip hop and gospel.

When Bone Thugs first stormed out of Cleveland they found a way to mix R&B and rap at a time when few did. With so many acts taking up that mission since, the group can't hope to recapture their sharpest edge. But they have managed to return with a light sound that does their legacy proud.

jfarber@nydailynews.com

source:

scooby_boen · 05-09-2007, 07:36 PM

good read bizzy is still in the group

scooby_boen · 05-11-2007, 03:16 PM

u think they back now wait until bizzy and flesh come back it going to b 2 much

05-08-2007, 09:59 AM	#1
robby84 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queenz Bred, livin life in Y.O. Posts: 8,581 Repped: 3,246 Repped 13,909 Times in 1,126 Posts Neg Reps: 12 Neg Repped at 8 Times in 8 Posts	05/08/07 - Back on track ... no Bones about it 05/08/07 - Back on track ... no Bones about it BY JIM FARBER DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC Tuesday, May 8th 2007 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony made history by blurring the line between singing and rapping in their lightning fast rhymes and gelati smooth flow. Unfortunately, that was more than 10 years ago. In the time since, the trademark Bone Thugs sound - rap's answer to doo-wop harmonizing - coarsened into a gimmick. Too many solo albums and guest appearances from its members, not to mention a rash of previous comeback attempts, wore the brand down. This time it's different. Buoyed by a new deal with ace producer Swizz Beatz, Bone Thugs have fashioned their most energetic and densely worded CD since their mid-'90s peak. The entire group doesn't appear on "Strength & Loyalty." Just three of the five Bones do: Wish, Krayzie and Layzie. (Bizzy was ousted and Flesh remains in jail for weapons possession and assault.) Some fans may argue that "Strength" tips too far toward the group's pop side (as opposed to their thuggish side). And it's a fairly antique version of pop at that. Samples come from sources as aging, and mall-friendly, as Fleetwood Mac and that '70s one-hit wonder Jigsaw (remember "Sky High"?). But the Mac lift (from "The Chain") brilliantly weaves the song's dusty guitar line and stalwart bass into two brand-new hooks, both encouraging the group's most dizzying vocal feats. You'll find newer hooks provided by Mariah Carey, on "Lil Love," and Akon, on "I Tried." A track with Yolanda Adams makes for a believable meld of hip hop and gospel. When Bone Thugs first stormed out of Cleveland they found a way to mix R&B and rap at a time when few did. With so many acts taking up that mission since, the group can't hope to recapture their sharpest edge. But they have managed to return with a light sound that does their legacy proud. jfarber@nydailynews.com source: __________________ Most loved/Hated Moderator "Stop Bitchin" - Robby

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05-09-2007, 07:36 PM	#2
scooby_boen Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 164 Repped: 97 Repped 4 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	good read bizzy is still in the group

05-11-2007, 03:16 PM	#3
scooby_boen Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 164 Repped: 97 Repped 4 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	u think they back now wait until bizzy and flesh come back it going to b 2 much