213 - The Hard Way - Review (courtesy of www.allhiphop.com)

[Leggy Hendrix]

The Hard Way

Artist: 213
Title: The Hard Way
Rating: 2 1/2 stars
Reviewed by: Paine

213 has always been revered as the West Coast super-group that the public never got to hear. But the demo tapes and leaked basement sessions were always a tease to the fans of the braidless Snoop Dogg, the DJ Warren G, and the pre-fedora Nate Dogg. For the last five years, each of the aforementioned has promised this album on a list of different labels, different title and different themes. What it boiled down to was Snoop, Nate and Warren finding themselves with some spare time on their hands. The Hard Way portrays a crew of artists in search of the creative vigor they had a dozen plus years ago as the original 213.

Warren G has trademarked himself as the laid back MC. From hits like “This DJ”, to the more recent, “I Want it All”, he’s never been expected to raise his voice, or stray from his effortless flow. Snoop, on the other hand, was at one time an edgy MC with range and emotion. From his sharp and venomous verses on tracks like, “Pump Pump” and “The Shiznit,” Snoop was deft at sticking words up under your ribcage. Older tracks are reference points because those are the days that 213 hail from. It was not the overly laid back Snoop, the slightly less laid back Warren, and the impromptu Nate. That is exactly what we’re getting. A too smooth, thus energy-lacking effort, that sounds more like a Gap Band album than any Hip-Hop triad. The most blatant rap tracks like, “213 Tha Gangsta Clicc” and “MLK” are dominated by aggressive synthesized beats. The softer side of things shine through because the better half of this album comes from smooth tracks like, “Another Summer”, “Run On Up”, and “Lil’ Girl.” Warren G’s cadences throughout the album are taking on an all-too close resemblance to his half-brother, Dr. Dre’s style of delivery. “MLK” and “Absolutely” are major proof of that. On the lyrical side of things, Nate steals the show. “Mary Jane” and “So Fly” are two of the album’s more exciting cuts that reveal Nate’s fabulous quality. He doesn’t stay boxed-in by hooks, but rather Nate Dogg dances around most verses of this album with that one-of-a-kind baritone croon. Luckily, Dave Chapelle’s Rick James persona is the only guest, lasting an interlude. But, in the wake of Rick’s death, the humor is lost. While 213 didn’t water-down their album with outsiders, much is to be desired considering the years of hype.

One of the most disturbing facts of a 213 album is that it has no producer. Warren G has refused to produce anything since the lackluster sales of his last album. As a result, this album uses music supplied by producers who have no cognition of what the original 213 was, is or should sound like. The only reputable producer that fits the mold is DJ Pooh, who is responsible for “Groupie Luv.” While Nottz, Hi-Tek, and Kanye West are wonderful producers, this wasn’t their place. The one effort that does seem to match an early vibe, is “Joysticc.” This track uses “Juicy Fruit” percussion, with thick synth tones and a new wave chorus. Another track that Nate dominates is “So Fly.” This outstanding soul chop (with vinyl hiss) is provided by none other than Missy Eliot. We can even forget that Smilez & Southstar tried this same beat before. Otherwise, this album barely separates itself from an Eastsidaz album.

Perhaps the hardest reality of this album is the jaded element. It’s hard to watch your heroes get so cocky they forget why they’re originally in it. It had been widely hoped that this album would be a return to the way things were. Instead, we have three aging stars in total ignorance of their history together, using their fame and wealth as large subject matter, over foreign production. After a dozen years of believing that 213 was the West’s super group, this album only affirms the fact that it’s truly Westside Connection who wears that crown.

[Bomb-A®]

sounded like a disappointed fan. i agree. i would give it 3 tho.



pwace

[Leggy Hendrix]

yeah...i thot the review was pretty much on point. ive been finding it difficult to listen to snoop recently...

[Danté Williams]

Warren G has refused to produce anything since the lackluster sales of his last album.

What the fuck is this motherfucker talking about?

 

sounded like a disappointed fan. i agree. i would give it 3 tho.

Sounded like a hater to me.

[Bomb-A®]

Warren G has refused to produce anything since the lackluster sales of his last album.

didnt he say he wasnt producing so he could concentrate on rapping?



peace

[Leggy Hendrix]

sounded like a disappointed fan. i agree. i would give it 3 tho.

Sounded like a hater to me.

i disagree. if you read the whole article its clear that the reviewer was a fan of the "old" snoop, warren and nate, who feels like many feel, i.e. that there is no real heart in his music anymore.

to me the following quote sums it up perfectly:

That is exactly what we’re getting. A too smooth, thus energy-lacking effort

[KING VerbalAssaulta]

a hater???wtf...the album is garbage wake up and quit dick riddin...the review was pretty acuratei...the album's a good dust collector...i too would have given it a 2.5

[Danté Williams]

a hater???wtf...the album is garbage wake up and quit dick riddin...the review was pretty acuratei...the album's a good dust collector...i too would have given it a 2.5

First of all calm down.

Second, I ain't dick riding. Have you ever read me saying the album is good? I ain't heard it, so I ain't talking about it. That review sounded like shit to me, sounded like a hater. And that's MY OPINION. You can agree or you can disagree (like Moncharelli, who did in a polite way).

And, if you let me add, I've been noticing your attitude in these latest 213 posts so it does not surprise me that you talked to me in that way cause you have a lot in common with the writer of that review. Hater...

[Minkaveli]

I've heard the first half and the song Kanye did was sick.  Especially with Nate's chorus over the sample.  It isn't half bad as people say it is. 

If you are expecting some hard shit....have you heard Snoop since he left Death Row?  Have you heard Warren G since Regulators?  Have you heard Nate since Pac died??

Nothing hard.

It is laid back and pretty damn good.

[Storm]

ive only heard a couple of songs and i like them all except the kanye one which was too slow for me.  the album isnt out yet and everyone is trashing it already, its fucked up. give it some time before you hate on it. obviously it would have been better with warrren producing it, but at least be happy hearing what you have been waiting on for so many years. an album with nate on every track cant be that bad. peace.

[AlerG]

i don't mind this album...sure it's a disappointment when you compare it to what it would've been if they would've released it when they were on death row but that's not the case...there are some heaters on there and this album is better than most so called heaters released lately...don't get it twisted, i wouldn't give it more than a 3.5 though, peace.

[Clever]

He pretty much summed up the album perfectly.

[Quadruple OG]

One of the most disturbing facts of a 213 album is that it has no producer. Warren G has refused to produce anything since the lackluster sales of his last album. As a result, this album uses music supplied by producers who have no cognition of what the original 213 was, is or should sound like. The only reputable producer that fits the mold is DJ Pooh, who is responsible for “Groupie Luv.” While Nottz, Hi-Tek, and Kanye West are wonderful producers, this wasn’t their place. The one effort that does seem to match an early vibe, is “Joysticc.” This track uses “Juicy Fruit” percussion, with thick synth tones and a new wave chorus. Another track that Nate dominates is “So Fly.” This outstanding soul chop (with vinyl hiss) is provided by none other than Missy Eliot. We can even forget that Smilez & Southstar tried this same beat before. Otherwise, this album barely separates itself from an Eastsidaz album.

Perhaps the hardest reality of this album is the jaded element. It’s hard to watch your heroes get so cocky they forget why they’re originally in it. It had been widely hoped that this album would be a return to the way things were. Instead, we have three aging stars in total ignorance of their history together, using their fame and wealth as large subject matter, over foreign production. After a dozen years of believing that 213 was the West’s super group, this album only affirms the fact that it’s truly Westside Connection who wears that crown.

these 2 paragraphs are on point about the album.  it doesn't have the identity it could have had

[.:Hercy Buggz:.]

People needs to wake the fuck up...Y'all act like 213 was a Gangsta rap group wich they aint  if I wanna hear some gangsta shit I would listen to Tha Eastdiaz or some  westcoast oldies but c'mon   did one of em metionm that they were a gangsta group...fuck nah and Im sure that if the album dropped back in 94 it wouldnt be gangsta either it would have been the same topic with production like the track "Big Pimpin" its 2004 man things have changed and they are trying to show that west coast music aint only about gangsta shit wich is good they kept it west coast on the production with a bunch of newcomers what else would u ask man.... I guess the album is gonna be a success cuz it sounds brand new to me

[teddy]

Ya'll know what, I got the Banks CD, Jada, Buck & 213. The 213 CD is the one I have managed to actually play all the way thru without skippin' a song except for Groupie Luv. That song just aint doing it for me, but this CD is nice. This shit is mad relaxin' & refreshing to listen to. I'm glad they came out with a different type of CD from all the releases. The reviewer is entitled to his opinion, aint hatin' from me on that, but comparing this to the Westside Connect CD, the quality & consistence of the songs is much better. To be honest I only played the WSC CD at most 5 times, & I played the same songs on the CD.
Put the 213 in you ride & take an hour ride & sit back then tell me that shit aint smooth. It's too bad musik these days is defined by who produced what,& the beats are more dominatin' than the artist.
I'll tell you this, this shit's sounds timeless, & I will definitely be playin' this for years to come. Peace (Just my opinion & my taste)