All Music Guide LIKES "Cali Iz Active" (here's the review)

[Eihtball]

They gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, which, I should point out, is higher than what they gave "Dogg Food":

With its crooked, crooked West Coast beat and the glorious TGIF chorus thrown on top of it, lead single "Cali Iz Active" came on the scene and ruled every beatbox that knew what was up. But just like the cover artwork to the album Cali Iz Active, the wicked title cut misrepresents what is really a reunion of the original Dogg Pound duo, Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, with only a couple of appearances by executive producer Snoop Dogg. One listen through this heat-carrying album and it doesn't matter much, since the long-estranged Daz and Kurupt are lyrically inspired here, have lost none of their chemistry, and their choices for producers and guest stars are either smart or risky. Falling into the latter category is Diddy's appearance on "It's Craccin All Night," a surprisingly successful track that figures into the handful of highlights. "Sittin on 23z" kicks its way into this category thanks to a monstrous beat by Swizz Beatz that shakes the foundations. The cuts with David Banner and Paul Wall do a good job of blending Southern and West Coast attitudes, but the West Coast heads are going to appreciate the Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, and Lady of Rage guest shots the most, since they brilliantly recall a time when G-funk ruled all. While it's a track or two too long, Cali Iz Active is arguably the strongest album from the crew and a West Coast fiend's dream come true.

Hmmm, I usually agree with AMG, but wow, I don't see how they can praise this album when Kurupt and Daz are just mediocre and the production and guest slots don't carry them much further

Discuss.

[Meho]

They gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, which, I should point out, is higher than what they gave "Dogg Food":

Hmm, lock this 

[Digital Pimpin']

This site is fucked up; they gave Rhythm-al-ism 2.5/5 stars?!?!?!?

Considering its guest list — packed with enough star power (El DeBarge, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Peter Gunz, Hi-C, AMG, and 2nd II None) to fill a "Wrestlemania" card — Rhythm-al-ism promises more than it actually delivers. Its cleverest moments ("Medley for a 'V' (The Pussy Medley)") address colloquialisms for genitalia and all the wonderful things it's good for. "Down, Down, Down," "I Useta Know Her," and "No Doubt" (rhymes with: "I got something for your mouth") are plain nasty. Just what rap needs: one more guy boasting about his majestic penis and how good he is at treating women like gutter trash.

[Eihtball]

This site is fucked up; they gave Rhythm-al-ism 2.5/5 stars?!?!?!?

Considering its guest list — packed with enough star power (El DeBarge, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Peter Gunz, Hi-C, AMG, and 2nd II None) to fill a "Wrestlemania" card — Rhythm-al-ism promises more than it actually delivers. Its cleverest moments ("Medley for a 'V' (The Pussy Medley)") address colloquialisms for genitalia and all the wonderful things it's good for. "Down, Down, Down," "I Useta Know Her," and "No Doubt" (rhymes with: "I got something for your mouth") are plain nasty. Just what rap needs: one more guy boasting about his majestic penis and how good he is at treating women like gutter trash.

Yeah, it all depends on the reviewer.  Some reviewers are better than others, but these two reviews are obviously not their better ones.

[d-nice]

Yeah better than Dogg Food is pushin it. I think it is a far cry from that album, but it's cool to listen to every once and a while. Shit bangs in my system along with the new Kurupt album in the car. At least that has not changed

[Eddie G.]

Yeah, mother fuck them for giving Rhythm-al-ism 2 stars.  I agree with a 3.5/5 rating for this CD, but I'd also give Dogg Food a 5/5.