So it was probably no surprise that I am most looking forward to the announcement of the "triple threat" to me "Reloaded", which was the completion of the series in November 2005. And after "Monkey Barz" and "Chemistry" expectations I was quite still screwed up first ... a little disappointed.
While Sean Price and Buckshot namely trod on the previous albums significantly new ways remains at Smif-N-Wessun first time all the same. Although they play a little with reggae influences ("A Hustler's Prayer") and show their knowledge of Spanish ("U Undastand Me") but that there was already on "The Rude Awakening" in this form. In the texts, it is the same thing here too is being held on proven technology: of course you remain true to your Timberlands ("My Timbz Do Work") and worship their guns more than their wives ("Toolz Of The Trade"). The sound may anyway be compared basically with "The Rude Awakening", is only a little more forward, even if Khrysis (with the "Sick 'em Son" delivers a real board) and Coptic bring slight improvements.
Just Coptics beats work then but only conditionally. What he is frequently delivers slightly cheesy. Sometimes cheesy and still cool ("PNC Boyz"), sometimes cheesy and also -Thanks pitched vocal samples - extremely ungeil ("Here I Stand").
On the other hand: to succeed, even if the hunger for innovation with this album is not satisfied Smif-N-Wessun some outstanding numbers according to the old formula. Especially when the bars alternately to the ears beating down as "The Truth" and "Gunn Rap" one looks forward, here to listen to a duo, at least in fact created some of their verses together, thereby achieving great results. And if they occur with Buckshot together on "City Of Godz" Club doors we know relatively quickly, that their way of Roughness still has its raison d'être.
After I have the album now more than a year, I can accordingly still find that Smif-N-Wessun not redefine their role in hip hop with this work. But I am no longer disappointed. Because they succeed in something that is hard enough, especially in Hip Hop universe with its virulent Jugendwahn: you create it, together with their music (and ... oh God, even with their fans) to age with dignity and relevant as an artist . stay Time again "Bucktown !!!" to bawl.
