Customer Reviews

Wooden Leather

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Some people say that Nappy Roots first album was better, some people say Nappy Roots are straying from their roots, some people say Nappy Roots is trying to go commercial. Their may be some truth to any one of these claims, but the one thing I can say with some confidence is that Nappy Roots sophomore effort, Wooden Leather, is a tight album. Sure their may be a few cuts at the album that were better left unrecorded "War/Peace", "Light & Dark", "Roun' The Globe (remix)" and their may be a few more songs that are more "radio friendly", but the good completely outweighs the bad. Following the success of their platinum selling debut Watermelon, Chicken, and Grits, I imagine that one of the biggest fear of fans, and maybe even group members, was that Nappy might fall victim to the infamous "sophomore jinx" especially with the group's initial success coming as somewhat of a surprise. But the 6-man crew from Kentucky gets it done again with a combination of clinging tightly to their southern roots, the down-to-earth rhymes that many people appreciate them for, and the addition of a little star power in the production arena. The Kanye West produced "These Walls" is one of several standout songs on the album, and they even manage to enlist the talents of the Raphael Saadiq for cuts like "Leave This Morning" and "Work in Progress". Other standouts like "Good God Almighty", "Sick and Tired", and "Push On" - the latter two, assisted by the soulful vocals of Anthony Hamilton - manage to get heads nodding without big name producers. Then their are cuts like "No Good" and "Lac Dogs & Hogs" that leave no doubt that Nappy Roots hails from the South. And despite some seemingly minor changes in content, probably encouraged by some A&R industry flack to "reach a wider audience", when the group does a song about a car ("Lac Dogs and Hogs") or a women's curves ("Twang"), it doesn't come across as ignorant or extremely misogynistic as most of the songs dominating today's radio. Probably not since Goodie Mob's first 2 albums has a group with more than two members represented the south so well and made listeners feel so in tune while doing it, although six members may be overkill for a rap group (especially since I don't know the names of any of the group members or what picture goes with what rhyme). Overall though, despite a few minor hitches, Wooden Leather doesn't disappoint.

Nappy Roots is back with a vengence! This CD is by far one of the best of the year! They strike hard with songs like:
Nappy Roots Day - awesome beat and rhythm
Roun' The Globe - the most popular Nappy Roots song off this CD, proving that the whole world is country
These Walls - Slow Ballad with great bass
The Anthem - featuring Lil Jon & The Eastside Boys - Great Song
and the last song - Roun' The Globe (Remix) - Awesome remix of the original hit song
These guys revolutionized Rap and Country Twangin' I love this CD so much, I would jump in a septic tank in January naked just to hear this album again! It's that good! If you got $15 laying around that your saving for a Eminem or DMX CD - forget them and buy NAPPY ROOTS!

Nappy comes correct on their sophomore LP Wooden Leather.
Good God Almighty 5/5
Nappy Roots Day (produced by David Banner)5/5
Round the Globe (single)5/5,
Lac Dogs and Hogs 5/5
Sick and Tired 4/5
Twang 4/5 (closest to club song on the album)
Leave This Morning 2/5 (too much singing)
Work in progress 4/5
Push On 3/5 (too slow)
No Good 5/5 Jammin'
These walls 4/5
War Peace 5/5 (also produced by Banner)
Roll Again 5/5 great chiefin' song
Watcha Gonna Do (The Anthem) 5/5 (produced by Lil Jon, KRUNK)
Light & Dark 4/5
Round The Globe (Collipark remix) 5/5 (same lyrics as Round the Globe, but Yin Yang Twins do the hook)
Overall, the album is supurb with a slight lull in the middle, but in todays rap a CD with more than 3 songs that are good is a pleasent suprise. Not as good as Watermelon, Chicken, and Gritz, but damn close. They did step up the production calling in Lil Jon, Banner, and Kanye West. on a side not these are 6 cool, down to earth people who deserve to make it. A definate must have!!!
P.s Y'all don't know nothin' about Country Fried Cess or No Fade, No Brush, No Comb. (independant releases from the late 90's)
Peace

OutKast's debut album Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik and Beastie Boys' LTI (Licensed to Ill) as well as Nappy Roots' WCG (Watermelon , Chicken, and Gritz) were debut albums that put the respective groups on the map. All three of these groups redefined their sound and advanced their groups to a new level with their next album. OutKast's ATLiens (ATLiens, Two Dope Boyz, Mainstream, Elevators, etc.)and the Beasties' Paul's Boutique were albums that propelled the groups to the success they have today.
Nappy's "Wooden Leather" isn't quite up to the level of those two aforementioned albums, but they do stay Nappy to their roots with this cut. Memorable cuts include Roun' the Globe, Good God Almighty, Work In Progress, and War/Peace. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that with OutKast, the Beasties, and Nappy Roots, is that changing a sound doesn't mean the band has "sold out" or gone awry; it just redefines them and makes them that much more talented. Po' Folks is my favorite Nappy Roots song, but Wooden Leather does not disappoint. Buy this album; you will most likely enjoy it.

Nappy Roots are lyrically solid. This album is no exception. Unfortunately, it does not live up to the standards of WCG. The Country Boyz put out an album that lacks decent beats. Songs like "Start It Over" and "Headz Up" are missing. There are some hot songs like "Twang," "What Cha Gonna Do," featuring the Ying Yang twins, and my favorite "No Good." Some songs have stupid hooks like "Lac Dogs & Hogs." This song would be better if it were instrumental. Overall, they have stuck to their roots, but it is not as nappy.

I believe that Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz was a classic. This is not a bad sophomore set from Nappy, but it simply cannot compare to WCG. Their same southern flavor is still there, and yeah there is more of an R&B vibe to the songs. But overall the CD is worth listening to if you liked WCG. "Roun' The Globe" is a great song, this is the song you would have heard from this CD. Some other good songs are "Sick and tired", some may not like this cuz the chorus has an R&B singer in it but this is my fav song from this CD. "Nappy Roots Day", "Lac Dogs & Hogs" and "These Walls" are the other songs I like the best. Go buy this or at least listen to this if you like Nappy Roots.

Excellent follow up. Not every song works for me but the large majority do.

With all deference to the Amazon reviewer above, 2 of my favorite songs are Push On and Leave This Morning - I guess that's what makes the world go around...I certainly wouldn't call them "missteps".

Check it out

this album is hot.. perfect for any nappy roots or hip hop fan
i rate these songs,.

Good God Almighty-4 stars
Nappy Roots Day-5 stars
Roun The Globe-5 stars
Lac Dogs N Hogs-4 stars
Sick and Tired-4 stars
Twang-5 stars
Leave This Morning-5 stars
Work In Progress-3 stars
Push On-3 stars
No Good-5 stars
These Walls-5 stars
War/Peace-4 stars
Roll Again-5 stars
Watcha Gonna Do-5 stars
Light and Dark-6 stars (this one is my best one) super-ill track
Roun The Globe (Remix)- 4 stars

This groupe is elavating with thier music each time I hear them. This album is great for chiilling to, or bumping. You can't go wrong with the witty, yet positive lyrics with banging beats that make you want to just vibe with it. I'm sure most heard "Round The Globe". The album does not disapoint. Cop it, and don't sleep on it.

~1luv~

this is another great album by nappy roots. their beats are always unique and they know how to make a good album. great album