Meth & Red - Blackout! 2 [REVIEW]

Release Date: May 19, 2009

1. BO2 (Intro)
2. I'm Dope Nigga
3. A-Yo (Featuring Saukrates)
4. Dangerous Mcees
5. Errbody Scream (Featuring Keith Murray)
6. Hey Zulu
7. City Lights (Featuring Bun B)
8. Father's Day
9. Mrs International (Skit) (Featuring Tanisha Green, Michelle Pinckney & Saukrates)
10. Mrs International (Featuring Erick Sermon)
11. How Bout Dat (Featuring Ready Roc & Streetlife)
12. Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers
13. Lock Down (Skit) (Featuring DJ Kayslay, C.O. Ellis, Reggie Noble & Ready Roc)
14. Four Minutes To Lock Down (Featuring Ghostface & Raekwon)
15. Neva Herd Dis B4
16. I Know Sumptn (Featuring Poo Bear)
17. A Lil' Bit (Featuring Melanie Rutherford)

Method Man & Redman the Incredibly High Dynamic Duo. Meth & Red recently released their first official album together since the original Blackout 1999. A lot has changed in a decade but the duo's chemistry remains constant & they prove that they are still Dangerous Mcees. I won't beat around the bush with this one, the album is definitely worth a purchase. Check after the jump for some more in depth thoughts on the project.Lyrics: 8 Redman's flow appears to carry most of this album, where as Meth comes off as pretty mellow. I feel like this is an they were going for on the album. Red's voice comes out a lot stronger, and it provides a nice contrast on each track. In the same vein, the clever use of wordplay & lyricism are everywhere. The album brings a lot of familiar features to Red & Meth fans like Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, Ghostface & Raekwon and a surprise or two from the likes of Bun B.Production: 9 A reflection of the caliber of production on this album can be seen in the single A-Yo. Pete Rock bodies the beat and walks away with the heavy weight title. Then there is da Rockwilder, and we know how the last beat he did for Red & Meth turned out. City Lights was probably the most interesting track on the album production wise. Mostly because it sounds like it was a beat done for Bun B that got passed to Red & Meth. I had Paul Wall's most recent CD in the same folder and when this song came on I thought my library was on shuffle. The song definitely has a strong Texas vibe.The production on the Rest of the album is tight as well, the wide range of producers did a superb job and Meth & Red did a good job picking beats that flowed well together with the rest of the album.I feel it should be noted that the RZA has no production credits on the album, which goes back to me saying that Red comes out stronger on this album. I think he ultimately had more influence in what was going on albumwise. I also heard in an interview (I think it was an interview) that Red did the engineering on the album.Concept: 9 The concept is right around what you would expect from two rappers who starred in a movie called "How High". There are a lot of songs dedicated to the act of smoking, the rest filters out to girls and how nice of rappers they are. Smoking still takes priority though, so if you can get past that you are in store for an amazing album.Dope Tracks3. A-Yo (Featuring Saukrates) - Off the strength of the production alone this track is notable. The horns are blazing, and I've constantly mentioned how I feel about horns on a track. Spottieottiedopealicios, started the trend for me and since then almost any track with horns gets bonus points from me. Saukrates comes through on the hook as well with a hook reminscent of the Nate Dogg glory days.10. Mrs International (Featuring Erick Sermon) - Real smooth track dedicated to the ladies. Erick Sermon on the hook is a nice addition on the track. The three come together like the "Homeboy Temptations" on the track as Redman says.12. Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers - this track will have you screaming "Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers!!" after first listen and have you hitting the back button at least twice for repeat listening. The beginniing of the track also gives you the vibe that you are live at the concert rockin with the duo.Not So Much Tracks17. A Lil' Bit - I'm glad this is the last track on the album, that way I can just stop at track 16 from now on. This is not the Rockwilders best job to date, the track is easily skipable. I think part of it is the hook, Melanie seems real out of place on the track. But like I said its the last track on the album so it really doesnt take away from the flow of the album or replay value since you can simply choose to stop listening at track 16.Verdict: 8.5/10 Great album, definitely worth the purchase. This is my recommdation for album to buy this week if you are only able to purchase one.Random Thought: I thought it was strange that Redman called himself the 11th member of Wu Tang on Neva Herd Dis B4. Who is number 10??? I don't believe Redman has been on a surplus of Wu songs anyway to be calling himself the 11th member.