Customer Reviews

Element of Surprise

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Earl E-40 Stevens has busted his belt buckle this time with a fat album. 40's constant method of breaking down a subject into an extremely entertaining, catchy and off da heezy song is uncomparable. For this album, you must be somehwat of a user-friendly listener. A lot of folks out there don't got a clue as to what 40's saying in his lyrics. Not due to clarity, but to his self-made jargon. But that's just 40, he made an album for his fans, and still squeezed in a few songs for the nonfans. The album titled opener is a fan song, but nonfans will still like it because of the rizight beat. Trump Change is a winner, with the same characteristics as the first song. Lieutenant Roast A Botch is on hit, a follow up to his second album's Captain Save A Ho. For all them hoo-bangers out there, Dump, Bust, Blast, Mayhem, It's On, On Sight and few other tracks are sho shots. For the females, you got From the Ground Up with K-Ci and JoJo. It ain't a female theme? So what? K-Ci and JoJo are on that mug, that's all I care, most any lady out there will quote. For the first time, 40 invited an east coast hip hopper on his album, and he chose a good one: Busta Rhymes. The song Do It To Me with Rhymes is worth a spin. Other notables include $999,999 + $1 = A Mealticket, All Tha Time (with Sick Wid It Records Chief Operating Officer and 40's cousin Brandt B-Legit Jones), Ballin' Outta Control (From The Mail Man EP tape), and Hope I Don't Go Back. Despite the hatas and non-believers critique of 40, he still delivers to his fans a sick album that makes up for the bootsee-ness of his prior album Hall of Game. With unending lyrics, creative slang, a message to get yo change, combined with 40's versatile gameskills, and a slew of guest spots makes this album fetchable ASAP. If you ain't got, get it. If you ain't got it and don't wanna get it, get it. Then get hit by the Element of Surprise.

40 Water is an OG in the rap game, and it shows in many ways. He has been rapping since the 80's; he has several hit records, and he is the godfather of that slang you hear everyone biting off of today. This album is loaded with that flow we love from 40, humorous, rapid, and firey. While this album has a few weak beats and some filler, there is definitley some classic material here. Bosko laces some phat, old-school-meets-new- school G-Funk beats in the bangers "All Tha Time" and "Doin' Dirt Bad" (both w/ B-Legit), both perfect for lowriding. The hard core track "Money Scheme" shows Jayo Felony and 40 killin' the mic with their unique flows. "Hope I Don't Go Back" is a timeless G-Funk classic. Here, E shows his vulnerable side contemplating what he may have to return to if his success ran out. "Ballin' Outta Control" is a classic re-release dug up from his classic 1994 EP The Mail Man. "My Hoodlums and Thugz" is a fun bouncy G-Funk selection with Mack 10 and WC. Another classic is "From The Ground Up" (w/ Too $hort and K-Ci and JoJo), where Short and E reminisce about blowin' up in the game with phat hooks all over a smokin' Ant Banks beat. If it weren't for the filler, this one would get 5 stars and rank up there near In a Major Way.

I love E-40, and none of the other records even come close! It is worth the $22 dollar price tag. If you down with it, get it! peace!

In my opinion it seems that those phat beats that E-40 keeps layin' down are never gonna stop. That whole CD was laced with tight beats. And you know he will keep it coming.

The CD was delievered in a timely matter and it was in great shape thank you for your time & patience in this matter.

One of many great albums from the old schoooo

these lil yung doodz not knowin west coast history

I thought that this cd was one of the best all of the tracks were good like flashin from the ground up and others this cd is way too overlooked i have heard other hyped about cds that sell alot but doesnt even compare to this BUY IT you wont be dissapointed

In his newest and biggest album ever, E40 spitz mad game with a reminiscient view of past time rapping, and with guest appearances by Too $hort and Mack10, nothing bumps bigger on tha block than " The Element of Surprise "

ALOT OF PEOPLE HATE ON 40 WATER BUT U CANT DENY THAT HE LACES ALL HIS RAPS WITH UNCUT GAME I ADVISE ALL PLAYAS TO GO GRAB HIS CD ESPECIALLY IF U GOT SOME BUMPS IN YO TRUNK CHECH OUT THE SONG LT. ROAST A BOTCH ITS OFF THE HOOK PLUS THE BEATS ARE TIGHT AS A VIRGIN

E-40's double disc release, The Element Of Surprise, is a 24-track release worthy of the West Coast bragging rights. 40-Water didn't stray from his buck fifty flow, game spitting nor his slang infested rhymes. He merely intensified it as what's featured on "$999,999 + $1 = A Mealticket". The title track is almost too good to be true as he being the album off with low-keyed, bass heavy introduction as is the even slower "Dump, Bust, Blast". 40 Fonzarelli gets personal on the mainstream "Hope I Don't Go Back" and "Zoom". Speaking of "Personal" featuring D-Shot, Suga T., The Mossie & LeVitti it is a standout for this entire release where everyone gave an A+ performance. "It's On, On Sight" featuring C-Bo was on target with a gangster mentality of retaliation. A collaboration between Charlie Hustle & Master P on "Back Against The Wall". "To The Beat" produced by Studio Ton had everything necessary for a solid song with lyrics like "...I don't need no iron, I'm already creased / I don't need no money, I got mouthpiece..." Missing, was more production by longtime producer Studio Ton to bridge the gap between a good album and a classic album. Only real E-40 and Sick Wid' It fans would know the difference. But on a good note, to end with "One More Gen" as a good conclusion for an element of a good album.