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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

BTNHRESURRECTION

Ruthless Records

*** 1/2 (of 5)

It's been quite some time since a little-known Cleveland quintet blew up The Box with the addictive, soul-filled jam "Thuggish Ruggish Bone." But seven years, three mulit-platinum albums and one Grammy later, Bone thugs-n-harmony launches their fourth LP, BTNHRESURRECTION, a record that gives a healthy indication of their staying-power with both doses of their old-school frills and plenty of budding styles.

Bone's trademark mile-per-minute rhyme pace intertwined with harmonic hymns is an entity that has been mimicked but not matched since the success of1994's Creepin' Ah Come Up. On their new release, Layzie, Krayzie, Flesh, Wish and Bizzy alternate mic checks as smooth as ever, imposing an even higher rim for imitators to jump for.

The album's first single, "Resurrection (Paper, Paper)," a mellow vibe most reminiscent of their earlier singles (think "1st of tha Month") is probably the tightest track. But there are easily six or seven songs vying for a close second, like "Can't Give Up," a dome-bobbing number laced with a chorus that's sure to stick in your head.

One of Bone's more sentimental and honest songs, "Change the World," features a funky Bruce Hornsby-like/elevator music backdrop that coincides perfectly with the groups flow and guest Big B's bellowing chorus: "We losing this world we love/ And it looks like the sinner won't lend/ So I'm reaching high up above/ Lord let your blessings begin/ And let's change the world."

While the album's second track extends a casting call for "The Righteous Ones," Bone makes it clear their strong faith doesn't hinder their push for lighter drug-legislation. The roller's delight "Ecstasy" is a soothing recount of each rapper's experience after taking a hit of E, while "The Weed Song" is a love song to Mary Jane that sounds like its being accompanied by Burt Bacharach on the piano.

BTNHRESURRECTION shifts in between faster, bumping songs like "Souljahs Marching" and more laid-back numbers like "No Way Out." Strapped with their unique, accelerated delivery style that prompted Eric "Eazy-E" Wright to sign them in 1993, Bone still harmonizes to the key, incessantly looping rap/ R & B combinations over ticking and bass-friendly beats.

BTNHRESSURECTION is worth checking out, even if it is from the group that, according to Chris Rock, had their peers singing "Welfare Carols."

­ Review by Kevin Polowy

Violent Femmes

Freak Magnet

Beyond Records

*** (of 5)

From their hits "Add It Up," "Blister In The Sun," and "Kiss Off," the Violent Femmes have earned a name for themselves as one of the most eclectic bands to hit mainstream "pop."

Lead vocalist Gordon Gano has always had the ability to vent out his sexual frustrations, love, loss and anger through an anthem-like rock song.

Last year they released Viva Wisconsin featuring live acoustic performances of their popular and underground hits.

After four years without releasing a full length album with new material, they give us Freak Magnet.

The album starts off with "Hollywood Is High," which shows they are back on their electric heels once again.

Their acoustic-like punk roots are prevalent throughout the album with the songs "Sleepwalkin" and "Most Pit."

"Mosh Pit," an intense punk ditty, is a heavy (at least for the Femmes) stereotypical punk song filled with fast guitars and pounding drums. The song has got to be a joke (last year at That Damn Show, they walked off stage after being hit by a show, then told me they were sick of these kids and their whole mentality) poking fun at their younger fans while giving them something to dance to.

As usual, they mix up the beat of the album by throwing in contemplative and minimalist songs like, "All I Want" and "When You Die."

Of these songs, "Forbidden" brings out their "cheesy" side with bouncing vocals chanting "Come play with us," then the song tightens up into a perfect Femmes acoustic mix.

Then "When You Died" slows down to a romantic kiss with death. The instrumentation lays down a great melody with chasing rhythms and fades away and then fades away into Gano's acoustic strumming.

The Violent Femmes have always had a way of bringing great music to their crowds. Their well thought out placing of fills and nuance makes them a powerhouse of music, and Gano's lyrics add a crisp and original twist.

If you're looking for songs like "Add It Up" or "Blister In The Sun," you might want to pick up Viva Wisconsin, but for those die hard Femme fanatics ­ you'll find a new mix of their old styles blended in Femme fashion.

­ Review by Dan Marek

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