producers: mass productions, eugenius, luno

While on the cover they look like Insane Clown Posse imposters, the similarities end right there. And it would be more accurate the other way around, cause the Criminal Nation has done the face paint/mask look before them Detroit guys. This is some genuine street rap, straight outta Tacoma Washington. And while you are probably all tempted to get that Road McNally Road Atlas out again, to check where that is, stop right there, and hear me say: it's not where you're from, but where you're at. Right?

These cats are down with the game since 1986, were even signed to the Nastymix label, that also had Sir Mix-A-Lot signed to it's roaster. However, with three releases ("Release The Pressure", "Trouble In The Hood" and "DCP Organization") already to their credit, they are allowed to give a slight smack to the backside of the new cats head. They are just to be treated like that old uncle that never seems to never do anything around the barbecue, but no one is complaining.

The album kickstarts with "Criminal Love". A young lady chimes on the chorus, while the emcees D-Rob, Spade, Bumpy and Clee-Bone spit them rider rhymes. The beat is smooth as the bare ass of a pre-pubic hair shorty, with that g-funk beeep sound effect. A funky guitar holds the Eugenius produced "Stand The Rain" together. This would be something Tupac would have enjoyed rhyming over, and his thug lyrics would have fitted these questing rhymes perfectly. On "Take A Flight" Mass Production keeps the track bare, while this simplicity pleases and would rise high in a sun setting summer night. This feel good track provides the backbone to some feel the good stuff (namely feeling some good soft female body parts stuff) rhymes.

Criminal Nation show their more of their intentions on "Fuck Being Down" where their chorus becomes a manifestation: "fuck being down, I try to come up, slanging these hits like crack, putting my city on the map". And things get super smooth on the melodic "Demons Dwell", again produced by Eugenius. Speaking of 'everyday struggles', this is something most people can relate to, even if they don't live in the same areas as the Criminal Nation strives to live their life. After that, things switch from the Dogg Pound-ish "So Real" to the dramatic "A Thin Line", just in time that people can have a party going with "The Break Down". And finally the last cut "That's Fa Sho" is another representation of their will, not to give up, their refusal to lose hands down to all the things that fight to keep them down.

This is by far not backpacker, walkman music. But it not being blatantly thuggish or violent, it can actually be appreciated by the thinking cat, that wants to have a break of his usual hard edged mindbombing menu. And while this probably sounds the best crusing in a low rider, sometime during the summer evening, if you got a chair, a balcony, or just a window to open, just some air around you, you will be able to catch the vibe.