Art of War [Explicit Lyrics]

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Relativity
• ASIN: B000003C47
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,630 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Retaliation (Intro)

2. Handle the Vibe

3. Look into My Eyes

4. Body Rott

5. It's All Mo' Thug

6. Ready 4 War

7. Ain't Nothin Changed

8. Clog up Yo Mind

9. It's All Real

10. Hard Times

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Mo' Thug

2. Thug Luv

3. Hatin Nation

4. 7 Sign

5. Wasteland Warriors

6. Neighborhood Slang

7. U Ain't Bone

8. Get Cha Thug On

9. All Original

10. Blaze It

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of The Thugs IMO, May 11, 2006

By 

David Foskin "SneakyGoblin on XBL" (Waterford, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of War (Audio CD)

When you're dealing with 2 disc efforts it's always a delicate balance. You always have to appreciate the extra songs, but then you dread the filler material that had to be inserted. The Art of War is one of those 2 CD efforts, and one that comes off quite well. The Art of War gets no press. It's a disc that nobody ever talks about, but a great one nonetheless.

The disc some of my personal favorites: "Handle the Vibe", "Look Into My Eyes", "Body Rott", "Mind of a Souljah", "If I Could Teach the World", "Thug Luv", "Wasteland Warriors", "U Ain't Bone", "Friends", and "Evil Paradise". This is almost a full disc full of songs that I really love. One doesn't realize how many good songs are on here until one looks at the back and really counts. This doesn't even include the songs that are okay. The sheer content of good songs really sets Art of War apart from most 2 CD efforts (and one CD efforts).

Another interesting point is that this stage is a sort of half evolved Bone Thugs. They aren't the youngsters from East 1999 Eternal or Creepin on ah Come Up and fortunately they're not at all like they are on BNTHResurrection. They are so smooth, so professional, and the raps are fast. They branch out from plainly violent raps with harsh beats. The CD is smooth. The beats are polished and the lyrics are strong. The Bone Thugs trade in their glocks for books on this effort. They really get a lot more contemplative on Art of War. They rarely get dumb on this album and sound like the patriarchs of rap that they are. They don't point out how good they are; they simply pump out good tracks.

Art of War is simply a collection of mostly laid back cool Bone tracks. They have it all on this CD and the number of tracks only adds to it. It has an awesome vibe throughout. It's not terribly dark, but it is somewhat mysterious. The beats are generally off the beaten path. They experiment with gun sounds in "Thug Luv" featuring 2Pac. The beat in "Body Rott" has a weird, but interesting feel to it as well. Remixes and remakes of old songs are also well done with "Friends" and "Evil Paradise". Bone successfully puts their stamp on these songs that could have been horrid flops.

The downside is that there is no crescendo on the Art of War. There isn't a song that really personifies the album or that brings it to the most elite level. Top 10 hits simply aren't here. The CD sets a tone and basically does not change throughout both discs. This isn't really a bad thing, unless you strictly aren't feeling it from the start.

This album reminds me of Cube's War and Peace Vol. 1. It has no signature song but it really has a lot of good tracks on it. When a CD achieves this type of consistency I feel the need to reward them. I can listen to this CD all the way through and not fall asleep. This is really the pinnacle Bone Thugs album, in my view.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly INGENIOUS......, February 24, 2000

By 

Daniel (Cali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of War (Audio CD)

After Bone created the masterpiece E.1999 Eternal, many people thought that they wouldnt be able to duplicate the effort of that album. Well, they come DAMN close to doing so, if they actually didnt, with this AMAZING 2-disc set. Though E.1999 Eternal is more solid from top to bottom, this album has more variety, and is BEAUTIFULLY constructed for a double cd. Out of the 28 songs, there are maybe 3 or 4 I coulda done without. The whole album concept is about being "mentally" superior to your oppostion or opponent, or obstacle. Layzie came up with the concept after reading the book, and Bone turned it into an album. The first disc is the light side of the album. The lyrics are very strong and well thought out. Handle The Vibe, Its All Mo Thug, Ready 4 War, Mind Of A Soulja, IICTTW, and Family Tree are all Bone masterpieces, with a sophisticated structure. Body Rott, Look Into My Eyez, and Clog Up Yo Mind are as good in their own right, but a little more hardcore. The other tracks on Disc 1 are less good by only the slightest of margins. Disc 2 (the darkside) is equally good as Disc 1. The songs on here are more eeire and thuggish than the first disc. Thug Luv features the late 2pac (rip). Then you have Bone's diss songs toward their opponents (do or die, twista, cc, etc), including Wasteland Warriors, U Aint Bone, All Original, Hatin Nation, and Neighborhood Slang. 7-Sign is a Bizzy solo, with a nice beat featuring lyrical genious, Majesty, off Bizzy's label. "Friends" tells the thin line of loyalty and betrayal of those close to you. Then their is the fantasically unique "Evil Paradise", of Bone speaking about the end of the world. The remaining tracks on Disc 2 are a little less strong, but still nice. Overall, a great album, and a must have. This epic 2-cd set is sure to please, with its great concept. Bone proves why they are the best group in hip hop ONCE AGAIN with this masterpiece. Buy it now.........

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAV CD EVER!, May 30, 2004

By 

John G. Shannahan "Gray Matter" (Baltimore MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art of War (Audio CD)

First of all, i dont understand how anyone could ever diss this cd! This was my first bone thugs cd and i bought it for "look into my eyes" and "thug love" instead of just gettin those songs i was introduced into a whole new style of rap. I have a long commute everyday and i just put in disc 1 play it threw then disc 2 and play it threw and repeat. THIS CD NEVER LEAVES MY STEREO! Another plus about this cd is the quality of the music, havin subs in my car really shows the skills of bone, they have real sharp and deep bass, tightest music to chill to.
there is no need to rate any of the songs, they are all perfect! BUY THIS CD