Customer Reviews

Gemini: Good Vs Evil

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Bone Thugs phenomenon may change over time, but it never really fades out or dies off. One could hardly have guessed a over a decade ago when the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony debuted to the hip-hop world on "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" that they would become household names, icons of the music business, and spawn off as many solo and side projects as the Wu-Tang Clan themselves. And like the Wu-Tang Clan, the Bone Thugs have shown that with solo success, it becomes increasingly harder to reunite all the group's members for albums together. I'm not really sure how many times Bone seemed set to be on their own permanently but came back as a unit "just one more time" and frankly I've stopped trying to keep track. As good as they are together, group members like L-Burna (Layzie Bone) and Bizzy Bone have proved they can hang on their own with albums like "Thug By Nature" and "Alpha and Omega."

Of course Krayzie Bone is no exception to the solo success of Bone Thugs members, and may be the most successful of them all. He's made a name for himself with releases like the double album "Thug Mentality 1999" and 2001's "Thug On Da Line," but it's been four long years since Krayzie put out a new solo release. Although he's put out singles and soundtrack cuts and appeared on other records in the interim, he hasn't had that spotlight all to himself for quite a while. Last time out Krayzie jumped ship from Relativity Records to Loud Records, and since Loud is relatively defunct as a hip-hop label (no pun intended) it's no surprise that Krayzie has again found a new home, Ball'r Records. After getting hints of his new album bubbling up through the underground for the last three months, Ball'r has finally given "Gemini - Good vs. Evil" a national release.

The title and the coverart accurately reflect the unique dual nature of Krayzie Bone as an artist. He has a spiritual side from which he exhorts people have "got to pray, got to pray, every day, every day" on songs like "Let's Live," but growing up rugged in the streets of Cleveland gave him the skills to "Get'chu Twisted" if you make the mistake of crossing his path

In astrological terms, Gemini (May 22nd to June 21st) is considered to be the birth sign of those who are charming and quick witted, but have an equally dark and dangerous side. "We'll bomb yo'S***, before you even realize we the N***** got a problem with" is the negative side of Krayzie on "Mangled," while "I know sometimes that we may praise this life, but I'm here to tell you that we all paid the price" on "Lock Down Love" is Krayzie letting the light shine in. Krayzie is uniquely positioned to succeed as a soloist because of this dichotomy, because his material stays refreshing and never gets overly thuggish or too preachy. Among all the Bone members, Krayzie may also have the clearest and easiest diction to understand lyrically, and a pleasant mid-range octave to his rapping/sing-song style. It would be fair to say that without the success of artists like Krayzie Bone paving the way, a smooth voiced hip-hop rapper with a musical flow style like Nelly would never have found the road to success nationally.

Of course "Gemini - Good vs. Evil" wouldn't work without a set of good beats, and this album definitely succeeds on that score. There are a lot of hands stirring the pot here - everybody from Lil Jon on "Get'chu Twisted" to LT Hutton on "I Remember," but it's remarkable how each different beat seems tailor made to fit the style and message of the song Krazyie is performing. "Gemini - Good vs. Evil" will please a lot of people, whether they are fans of the Bone Thugs, or of Krayzie Bone as a soloist. If you haven't checked out any of the other solo records, this wouldn't be a bad place to start. And just in case you thought Bone Thugs was done as a group again, the "Get'chu Twisted" remix at the end features Wish, Lazy and Bizzy all on the cut, so don't get it twisted. The Bone Thugs legacy is far from over, this is just another chapter in their book of thugs.

Krayzie Bone's (Anthony Henderson) third album is "Gemini: Good Vs Evil" (2005). People who are reading my review should know I have never been a fan of BTH, but decided to checkout this album anyways. I find Krayzie Bone's flow easier to listen to then other Bone members, and like it best when he slows it down and talks about relevant issues.

The "Good":

"All I Am Hearing"- Feeling Krayzies lyrics and smooth chorus, can relate to him talking about the Rap game being flooded with unoriginal music.

"Let's Live"- Krayzie reflects on life and death, providing some positive messages and promoting life, dropping lines like "N***** be killing me saying they ready to die, you ready to die, I'm ready to live grow up with my kids".

"Lock Down Love"- My current favourite, Krayzie dedicates this to the incarcerated talking to the young men and women who are growing up in the prison systems.

"Nuthin But Music" & "I Remember" are okay tracks where Krayzie reflects on music/group history and would probably have more appeal to people who have followed BTN over the years.

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The "Evil":

"Getchu Twisted"- Fastpaced Lil Jon produced track, and album opener. Its decent but familiar to a lot of tracks I have heard over the years.

"Don't Know Why"- Feeling this track, its different, Krayzie rhymes well, backed by a stellar beat.

Other "Evil" cuts were average/weak lyrically to me, decent beats but an all to familiar formula. Interludes and Interviews fall into filler material.

Opinion:

I was impressed by some of the music on "Gemini: Good Vs Evil". Personally thought that Krayzie Bone shined more on the reflective laid back "Good" tracks. The other side was less of a draw for me as I personally don't find Krayzie very convincing when dropping thugged out tracks. One thing I have noticed about BTN fans is they are generally a very loyal group; I recommend this album to them. 3.5.

This album is hot
It made up my mind between the best bone thug bizzy or krayzie
tracks
1.) Get you twisted- 5/5 (a banger sick beat by lil jon gets you movin and he rips it fastest i ever heard krayzie rap)
2.) Thats That Bone- 4.5/5
3.) Put it on yall- 3.5
4.) Interview (explains the album)
5.) Nuthin but music 4/5
6.All Im hearing- 4.5/5
7.) Lets Live- 4/5
8.) Chaos Interlude- 5/5 t(his lil interlude has classic bone flow and the beat is crazy)
9.) Dont know why- 5/5 (my favorite track beat is tight in a dark way he tells a crazy ass story in this one how he killed some1 in his sleep and doesnt know what happened hook is tight)
10.) Mangled- 3/5
11.) Lock Down Love - 3.5/5
12. Interlude
13. I remember- 5/5 (has a verse for every bone thug)
14.) Hi Di Ho- 2/5 ( just dont like it no hook short as hell talks about nothing)
15.) Murda Music 2.5/5 (makes up for the last song its like one long hook)
16.) Got chu twisted - 4/5 ( took out the hottest parts of the chorus and krayzies hottest verse, makes up for it with bizzy lazy and wish)

If you're just expecting the same thuggish themes, you might be surprised to hear this new album from Krayzie. He focuses on alot of problems in the world today, rapping how people are so ready to die, families being ruined cuz of prison, and the rap game not putting out anythin original lately.

The first opening track alone makes you wanna keep listening to the album. Krayzie's flow is sick as always, and Lil Jon's production is very different than what most people will hear on MTV or the radio. 10/10

That's That Bone-Good track w/ Wish Bone. Good production, cool verses from both rappers. 7/10

Put It On Y'all-Dont really like this track much, dont know why. Production wasnt my thing I guess. 5/10 for average

Interlude-Cool little interview with Krayzie

Nuthin But Music- Pretty cool track. Krayzie talkin about about all the music he's been enjoyin, probably alot of older aged rap fans will really feel this track. 8/10

All Im Hearin- Amazing production. Truly tells about the same ole stuff that's on the radio now. Krayzie tells how rappers now dont even try to be original or express themselves, they just want to go platinum with no heart in their music. 10/10

Let's Live-Good track from Krayzie, saying how he appreciates his life, and telling others they should value their lives more. The production is perfect for this song, and Krayzie's singing is good.

Dont Know Why-I listen to rock music, but I really wasnt feeling this track at all. Krayzie's verses are pretty cool as usual though. I hate the chorus too much to listen to this song though. 4/10

Mangled-Krayzie's flow is good, but this track is just too short. Production is alright. 5/10

Locked Down Love- Great song, Krayzie Bone tryin to put out a positive message to all the young men and women out there. Telling how prison can ruin a person's family and themselves. 9.5/10 cuz I wish his verses were longer

I Remember- Good song, giving respect to his whole group. Wants to keep the whole BTNH group together, good song. 9/10

Hi-Di-Ho: Alright song I guess. Probably Krayzie being experimental which he has a right to. Nice throwback to that soul music. 7/10 cuz I wish it was longer

Murda Music- I dont really like the production at all on this track. I dont like the chorus or even Krayzie's rapping too much 4/10

Getchu Twisted remix- 10/10 Great production and with the bone thugs crew rappin, how can it go wrong?

I have been a KB fan ever since "Thug Mentality". I always liked Bone but never had any cd's until I bought that album. After that album, and still, I think KB is the best rapper of all time. Gemini: Good vs. Evil is a good CD overall, just not as many songs, and not as many good songs as I would have liked. Favorite tracks:

1.)Put it on Ya'll - Very aggressive track, Krayzie at his best (Hard, and Dark flows, and beat). I only wish the song was longer. Wish good too.
2.)Getchu Twistid - For me this song is perfect. I really like Krayzie on Lil' Jon's CD "Dont Give A F***". So for Krayzie to hook up with the King of Crunk on this track its definately bangin. I wish there were more songs with this kind of energy.
3.)Thats That Bone - Good beat, good song. Krayzie is only limited to how good the beat is. This song is good, but not great, Krayzie and Wish bring the heat on this one.
4.)Nuthin But Music - Very good song, Krayzie shows love for all the rap artists before him, showing a lot of respect. Tells us how it was when he was less fortunate, and all he had was music to keep him going.
5.)All I'm Hearing - Love this song, just cause it sums up everything wrong with rap now. Too many clones out there, and rappers lying about their lives just to portray an image or sound that is popular.
6.)Mangled - Short song with no chorus. Only a true KB fan would appreciate this song. Satisfies the straight killa, displays KB's skills once again.
7.)Murda Muzik - Krayzie showing how many ways he can flow with one simple concept. One more song that you will like if you really like harmonizing and good flows about "murda muzik".

The rest of the songs are all good, just not really songs I still listen to 6 months later.

Krayzie is the best rapper of all time, so go get this and all his other albums. Krayzie is the realest, and a legend in hip-hop. No other rapper can touch him.

Where i'm from people love tonge twisting rappers.At first people was saying twista was the fastest,but Krazy proved them all wrong.the line off of (Thug On The Line-Ya'll Don't Know Me Track-I don't give a f*ck if you rap faster than me-but when it comes to being the realest- n***az that ever did it-you know bonethugz goin be continued for that position).Then off of the Gemini album he said(Get'chu Twisted Track- No matter who on the map-who in the spotlight-give me the thrown because i'm taking my spot back).God is my witness,He surely did it.This album is ranked third out of his 3 albums.He should have redid the Gemini track for this album,or held the track for this album.Then the album would have been ranked higher.I'm not complaining though, this album is still a great one.I saw that someone said Bizzy Bone's last 2 albums were weak......You must not have listened to the Alpha Omega album.Hey go back listen to the album if you have it.People that isn't even Bone fans love that album,so if you're really a fan you should love it too. Halla Back. P.S Did anyone know Flesh-n-Bone had 2 albums released.O My Looorrrrd Is All I Can Say.

don't know why is sick,the chorus is sick he talks about blacking out and killing someone presumably tomica wright............this album is a must have KB CD as usual of course,krayzie's lyricisim and flow keeps improoving on every album so does his subject matter.especialy on tracks like lock down love,and i remember where he addresses all 4 of the other bone members in a verry candid personal way.hi di ho sounds different but a good type of different that makes you nod your head.also other sick tracks include put it on ya,they also take it back to the eternal days with thats that bone (even wish stepped up his game in this song).also mangled and chaos are str8 devastatingly tight,with sick verses.the song all i'm hearing is about krayzie bone talking about all of the same garbage thats on the radio wich is also a verry good song.murda music is also sick,getchu twisted and the remix with the bone group are solid club bangers.by far i even think this album ties with Thug Mentality if not surpass it in depth of subject matter.you thought thug on da line was introspective this gemini album takes it to a new hight.

some fans might be dissapointed by the fact that some songs got cut like zonin,and paradise,cause samples didn't clear

and the fact that the concept of 10 good songs and 10 evil songs didn't come to fruition.but it still turned out great.

speaking of samples i think when KB samples he samples music most rappers wouldn't dare touch and make it work for him
(example don't know why),he has a great ear for different types of music.wich makes the album sound different than normal typical rap.all in all this is a short but beautifully sweet dark personal album.its bound to be a sleeper hit of 2005

so come journey into the mind of a gemini where a eternal internal war wages between good and evil for the soul of a conflicted mind.who will win?......thats up to krayzie bone


GR8 ALBUM

if ur a btnh fan pick dis up no matter wat....diz a very gud album n itz worth tha money

Krazie Bone is literally a rap genious. Iv'e listened to his music since his cd in 2001 called Thug On Da Line. I love every song on that cd by the way. I also love every song on this cd. Krayzie and Layzie are definitily rappers that still keep it real. Krayzie definitily sill keeps his rap to what rap should be like, and this cd is definitily no exception.:)

Krayzie is by far the best bone thug (yes, even better than Bizzy) The songs are a little slower so much easier 2 understand. A different vibe from Krayzie, but if your a fan you'll have no choice but 2 like it.