Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blame it on Puffy and Bad Boy South, June 2, 2007
I agree with the reviewer who wrote that Puffy and Bad Boy are to blame for this album. Man, long gone are the days when Eightball and MJG had their own style, both lyrically and musically. Ever since they signed with Bad Boy all that changed. Diddy pushed them into a much more comercial direction, so that the album sound pretty much like most other albums coming out of the Dirty South. And it wasn't like that back then! Listen to their first 5 albums, and you could see that Ball and G were doing their own thing! And they even sold much more back then (let's face it, Diddy does nothing to promote this album, and that's why it hasn't sold well). They weren't able to do that on this album (at least on most songs). It's like they took a few steps BACK. "Livin' Legends" was much better. For example, the first single "Relax and take notes" is a deccent track, and that's it - how it was chosen to be a single is beyond my understanding.
Anyway, the album itself is nice, but overall most of it doesn't stand up. There are about 5 great songs, and the rest range between avarege and weak (Especially that "Hickery Dickery Dock". What the hell was the label thinking?? You KNOW that Ball and G would've never make a song like that!). The whole album sound too much like a Lil' Jon/TI/Young Jeezy album. Too much sreaming, too much of that crunk sound, too much screaming by MJG (remember how smooth he used to be? Not those game are gone_... The good songs are those who sound different. But the album overall isn't as melodic and soulful like their previous albums. Lyrically the album is also the weakest they've ever done. It's not as personal and deep like their previous albums, and it's obvious it's all Bad Boy's directions... Anyway, the bottom line is that it's an OK album, nothing special, but Ball and G are still living legends, and with their talent they are able to save the album and make it an enjoyable listen.
|
|
|
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Blame Puffy, March 27, 2007
It is sad that these two southern hip-hop legends good names have been blemished by Bad Boy records. The transformation from their classic hit "on the outside looking in" along with a host of other great albums to this disgrace is quite sad. I'm sure your boy puffy offered alot more money and fame than they have ever had in the underground, and it hurt 'em. Some will say "well thats what you get for being a sell out" but if your in the game making underground hits for almost 2 decades and your only know to a small region, you may not feel the accomplishment or respect you deserve. I forgive them, not Puffy. Buy some of their old stuff.
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ridin' medium, October 2, 2007
In a last-ditch effort to save their careers (although I didn't really think their careers NEEDED saving), 8Ball & MJG signed on to Bad Boy Records and released the album Living Legends. I didn't think that album was very good because it seemed like Ball and G's style was reformulated too much into fitting in with the mainstream crowd. But will they be able to save face with their second Bad Boy release, Ridin High?
Well, it depends on whom you ask. First of all, this album is 75 minutes long, and it seems like every OTHER song is good. Actually, the lead single "Relax and Take Notes" (featuring a surprisingly good guest spot from Project Pat) would be fine if I overlooked the fact that the chorus is nothing but a few bars from Biggie's "Dead Wrong". And speaking of reused ideas, the chorus to the obligatory Jazze Phizzle productizzle "Pimpin' Don't Fail Me Now" (although he surprisingly doesn't say any of his catchphrases in the song) is really the same chorus from Missy Elliott's "P-cat" (from Under Construction), now in a masculine way.
There are still some good songs though, like "Stand Up", "Worldwide" and the necessary tribute-to-your-hometown, "Memphis". But when the duo start talking about sex, more problems occur, as in "Alcohol P Weed" and the ridiculous "Hickory Dickory Dock" (and the "Blowjob Interlude" that precedes it isn't funny). Actually, I don't know if I should mention "Hickory Dickory Dock" after all because only the chorus is about sex while the verses aren't really about anything. But I thought Ball and G learned from "Trying to Get At You" that romantic rap songs featuring 112 don't work for them (or anyone else), but still we have "Cruzin'" (also featuring Three 6 Mafia); and I don't think Ball will turn any ladies on with: "I know I'm not the best-looking n/But I'm so far from the worst-looking n".
Disappointments continue, as the title track is an obligatory song about blingin' with a blatant club-friendly beat. And Diddy's verse ruins the otherwise good "30 Rocks". Ridin High isn't a terrible album, but it's an extreme rollercoaster ride, so only pick it up to complete your 8Ball & MJG collection.
Anthony Rupert
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ 8Ball & MJG
~ 8Ball & MJG
~ Young Jeezy
~ 8Ball & MJG
~ Eightball & M.J.G.
is 8Ball & MJG's 
