The Method Man & Redman bond is even more exceptional due to their longevity as a duo; they are best friends and have been best friends with or without rapping, connected to the hip. Undoubtedly, this has provided for some great hip hop moments, too many to count, but perhaps this is why their debut duo release, Blackout! [read review], was met with such mixed reaction. While showing flashes of brilliance, some elements of BO just weren’t met to their full potential and this led to the album being just under par for the standards of these two high caliber emcees. 10 years later, here’s Blackout! 2. It probably isn’t a “new” attempt to make a better and bigger album, but it is fresh material from Reggie Noble and Clifford Smith; material hip hop has been craving for a decade.
BO 2 comes with a few changes from BO, and most of them are pleasant. The biggest shift is seen with the Iron Lung, who certainly steps his game up and completely murders the album’s “Intro” and the following Havoc produced cut, “I’m Dope Ni**a.” Meth continues his verbal slaughter on the Pete Rock summer time banger “A Yo,” which also reunites the #1 Soul Brother with the Brick City legend, whom also spits his buttery smooth flow alongside the catchy Saukrates chorus. Reggie, of course, is equally as impressive throughout the album.
While Reggie throughout his career has been consistent even on a bad day, Meth can’t say the same (see Tical 0). It has to come as a surprise that he absolutely bodies this entire album for the most part. Still, the chemistry between the two blunt heads is as perfect as ever. “Hey Zulu,” which might be one of the best tracks on the album, with a beat courtesy of Rockwilder, features a trademark Red and Meth flow loaded with weed references and braggadocio. Sure, they are having a hell of a time making tracks like this, but “fun” is a business to these guys and they do it right. Moreover, a song like “Father’s Day” works so well due to its ability to be so in sync and punctual. Not to mention laugh-out-loud lines that Redman drops: “my dog shittin on your lawn while you’re watering/ pay the fine/ order him to shit on your lawn again.” Awesome.
It’s hard to put a finger on the overall caliber of BO 2. The jazzy and soulful bounce of Buckwild’s “Mrs. International” and even Pete’s “A Yo” are welcoming to a change in content for both Red and Meth because they obviously have the versatility to make that type of joint work. Especially with an album that is so in your face and aggressive with talk of weed and stomping on your face, these tracks make for a great escape. But, it’s the over-discussed subject matter from the duo that just gets beaten to death throughout the album. “Diz Iz 4 All My Smokers” might be one of my favourite tracks on the album, but it dedicates a whole song to listeners that are already getting album’s worth of similar content. This makes the album quite redundant. By the time “A Lil’ Bit” rolls around, everything that BO 2 wanted to say has been said about 4 songs ago.
It certainly drags on, and that’s unfortunate. The album should’ve and could’ve easily ended with the guest spots of Ghostface and Raekwon on “4 Minutes to Lockdown,” but it didn’t, and that hurts it. Moreover, the Vinny Idol (who?!) banger “How Bout Dat” features stellar Red and Meth verses that are sadly tarnished by good-try-but-no-thanks deliveries from Ready Roc and Streetlife.
On a song by song basis, Blackout! 2 rocks, but as a whole, it kind of tumbles toward the end and even on repeat listens. Sure, boredom ensues, but there will definitely be moments where you feel like hearing particular songs for the production (which is vastly improved this time around), impeccable delivery, or witty one liners. With the caliber that Red and Meth are known for though, they can obviously make better material that is more concise and focused-not only on weed. Hopefully with the upcoming releases of Muddy Waters 2 and Crystal Meth, they will deliver the best of the best, but make no mistake about it, Blackout! 2 is still one hell of an entertaining listen.
78/100
“Hey Zulu”
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“How Bout Dat”
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“Mrs. International”
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Another solid review Deez. I’ve been bumpin this for 2 weeks now and I see your point about it being great track for track, but not as a whole. There are definitely some skipable tracks on repeat listens. But hey, it’s Red & Mef! I copped this one and will be bumpin it for awhile.
Nice review. The album def could have been better but it also set the bar pretty high for their solo records so it got me excited for that.
Yeah, great one!
This is an on-point review for sure. I mean, Bink (one of my favorites by the way) did “4 Minutes To Lockdown” and the beat doesn’t hit with his sure shot knock. Rockwilder, too, didn’t bring the best of the best. As a whole and definitely compared to the current climate of Hip Hop, this album is nice. Hopefully, everyone that congratulates or criticizes at least bought the album!!! Peace
Lastly, it’s worth the purchase if not for Buckwild and Pete Rock’s joints, respectively. I mean, in this day and age, who can say they have production by Erick Sermon, Pete Rock Bink, Rockwilder and Buckwild on one album!?
Because of my school commitments , it was SO hard to write back like “this” again.
Vinny Idol has done a ton of work for D-Block.
Review was on point tho
Word up Casey
Someone pointed that out to me afterwards. He did a lot of joints with Sheek and a few with styles.
great review deez, i feel the exact same way you do about this album.
but my favorite song is actually city lights
Personally, A-YO is a track that is on par with anything i’ve heard rappers like Kanye or Lil Wayne toss out, because it has that “mainstream” appeal, except the verses are better. (Methodman > lil wayne any day of the week IMO) Best track on the album tho (regardless of the fact that it is only two verses long) is dangerous MCees. That’s some flow from methodman that is just non-stop and untouchable.
Otherwise, agreed with most points.
Great review deeezy!
I think it is great as a whole. This album, Cyne’s Water for Mars, Illogic’s Diabolical Fun, UGK’s 4 Life and Dee-1’s David & Goliath are my top 5 this year.
I was only a lil disappointed with this album. I still think it’s pretty good. I do feel though that it should have had a couple Rza tracks. That is what was missing. After being let down by Sheek, Busta, and Freeway’s releases, this album is a gift. Also Marco Polo & Torae’s ‘Double Barrel’ is FIRE. That is my favorite album so far this year. PEACE
my favorite tracks on the album is:
Father’s Day
4 Minutes To Lockdown
DIS IZ 4 ALL MY SMOKERS!!!!!!!!!!
Tight review Deez…my favorite joint is “City Lights” and Diz Iz 4 Alll My Smokers” the ladies are feeling that “Mrs. Internnational”..I banged that at the car wash this past Saturday and they were luvin’ it…lol
This is one of the best releases of the year so far !!!
LOVIN this album! I was presently surprised by the conistency.
Mef Bodies Ery Track! Makes you wonder if Joe Budden woulda say what he said if he got to hear Mef on this beforehand…
One of this years best in my humble opinion…
For the most part I gotta roll with this review. It does get a lil redundant towards the end and the guest appearances are less than stellar. With that said, I’m glad to hear Mef bringing it with a since of urgency and a lil disappointed at Reggie Noble recycling old lines from Erick Sermon like we never heard “So What You Sayin!” I’m more critical of Red because I’ve grown accustomed to him spitting fiya every time around! Good album overall. Great album by todays standards!