Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Almost three years after the epic-length Art of War album and after solo albums by group members Krayzie Bone (Thug Mentality 1999) and Bizzy Bone (Heaven'z Movie), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony returned with a comeback album fittingly named BTNHResurrection. Much has changed in the rap game in just a few short years, however. Bone Thugs were on top of the world between 1995 and 1996, though now they're merely trying to fit in during an era when weed-smoking gangsters have been replaced by champagne-sipping players, and any hint of vocal harmony will get you labeled an R&B act. Over the course of the 16 tracks here, the core trio work to their strengths, constructing dense rhymes and trading off with a smooth flow. It's difficult to escape the feeling that time has passed them by, however, and BTNHResurrection isn't quite the return to old glories fans that must wish it could have been. [BTNHResurrection is also available in a clean version.] ~ John Bush, Rovi