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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as Good as THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT; 3 ½ Stars, May 14, 2008
First things first, EGO TRIPPIN' isn't as good as Snoop's last album, THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT. Also, it isn't a bad album by any means either - just a flawed album. Sure, "Sensual (Sexual) Seduction" gave Snoop his first top-ten hit since 2004's ubiquitous Neptunes helmed "Drop It Like It's Hot" reached #1 (not counting Akon's #1 with Snoop, "I Wanna F**k You"), but "Sensual Seduction" isn't enough to make EGO TRIPPIN', which is pretty good, a truly great or innovative album. Sure, Snoop rocks the vocoder out on "Sensual Seduction", but a vocoder doesn't make up for some of EGO TRIPPIN' laxer moments.
The album starts with the typical forgettable interlude, then follows with "Press Play", which is ultimately forgettable as well. Snoop ignites the flame with "SD is Out", an undeniably catchy track in which you feel Snoop is at least somewhat in his element. Sure, it isn't the second coming by any means, but it works. "Gangsta Like Me" follows in the same boat as "SD is Out" - it is catchy, though not as great as some of the best songs appearing on 2006's THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT. Similarly still, "Never Have 2 Worry" is solid, though not earth shattering. The background vocals are fantastic here and Snoop does still sound "relevant" if not 100% fresh this round. Finally, "Sexual Eruption" (or "Sensual" depending on the version), comes and revives some sense of true, inspired vitality within EGO TRIPPIN'. It is followed by another excellent track, "Life of Da Party" which features inspired guest turns from several rappers, with the standout being Too $hort. Snoop sounds like he has salvaged his image on this track more so than the earlier tracks. This track compares to the catchy nature that "Candy Drippin'" possessed on THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT, which makes this one of the best tracks of EGO TRIPPIN'.
"Waste of Time" is decent as well, if not as strong as say 2006's "That's That Sh**". Either way, Raphael Saadiq sounds particularly strong and soulful here. "Cool", a remake of a Morris Day and the Time hit, is good, even if it seems like it shouldn't appear on this album. But then again, EGO TRIPPIN' lacks the cohesiveness of Snoop's best, as later shown by the laughable country turn Snoop makes on the horrific "Medicine Man". Aside from semi-standouts from "Been Around the World", "Make It Good", and the celtic sampling "Why Did You Leave Me", the rest of EGO TRIPPIN' is merely average. "Sets Up" features excellent production from the Neptunes, but it doesn't allure one like the very best Neptunes hit would (in this case 2004's "Drop It Like It's Hot"). "Deez Hollywood Nights" is completely catchy, though utterly rediculous in which Snoop states that "Leonardo Di Caprio keeps a bad h*" - honestly, what? "Staxx in My Jeans" and "Ridin' In My Chevy" also disappoint hardcore Snoop fans. It makes you question if Snoop really is still "relevant".
Overall, I don't know if I'd spend $15 again to buy EGO TRIPPIN'. Sure, it has its good moments, but it is much more flawed than most of Snoop's other albums. I guess even a great recording artist like Snoop is allowed one slip-up, but my advice to S.D. would be to get The Neptunes as well as the producers from THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT to produce your next album as opposed to mostly Teddy Riley. Not knocking the production work, but I think Snoop has worked better with different collaborators. 3 - 3 ½ Stars.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Album Befitting the Godfather of Rap, May 24, 2008
While rap has never been a top favorite of mine (I do like all genres of music though) for some reason or another I don't know why, I have always liked Snoop Dogg. He takes a different approach on this album. Packed with a total of twenty-one tracks. which is a bit excessive, but hey it's Snoop Doggy Dog. It sounds like he has done what prior gangster rappers do when they retire. taking a more mellow and leisurely style approach to the songs. Then again it could be because of all he's been through over the years dodging bullets, rivals and court cases but all along setting the pavement that many rappers walk on today.
In my opinion the song "Sexual Eruption" sets the pace and mood of the album. He is less vulgarly explicit on this album though, except for a couple of songs like "Staxxx In my Jeans" and "Riding In My Chev" which displays the Snoop you're use to hearing. Maybe with this change you'll find him laying in the Florida sun, instead of walking the streets of Compton or Long Beach in California.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ya did it again Snoop!!!, April 10, 2008
It isn't no "Doggystyle" or "R&G", but it was better than I expected. I actually can see the concept that he was aiming for. What surprised me the most is that Teddy Riley & DJ Quik jumped on board to help produce the album, but the outcome was a definitely a great one.
Out of the 21 tracks, I liked 15. And that's good. Hard to find a cd like that these days.
My Top 5:
1. Press Play
2. Those Girls
3. Been Around The World
4. Neva Have 2 Worry
5. Waste Of Time (with my man Raphael Saadiq)
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