Album: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Strength & Loyalty

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It is a long and arduous road back for any artists, regardless of how beloved they once were. To rebound from turmoil and creative miscalculations is extremely difficult. The streamlined trio, with the departure of Bizzy Bone, attempt to redeem themselves with their seventh studio release like its 1995 all over again. It is a challenging task to take on, as the Bone Thugs try to prove themselves through Strength & Loyalty.

The former Eazy-E protégés don’t waste any time on this release, launching a head-on assault with the relentless Flow Motion, as the trio, particularly Layzie Bone, spit with a vengeance. A similar pace is kept on the gritty Streets, where current West Coast golden boy The Game puts in an impressive performance, over a tremendous Will.I.Am orchestrated beat, utilizing a rousing Bobby Womack sample. The proceedings get serious on Order My Steps (Dear Lord), as they talk about their faith and beliefs, a bold move for any mainstream album, with powerful vocals by Yolanda Adams. Luckily, Swizz Beatz breaks away from his often-monotonous style to deliver something a little different on the call to arms Bump In The Trunk.

In this reviewers opinion I Tried may not have been the wisest choice for a lead single. The overall morals and message of the track are good but the execution is a little too sappy. Meanwhile, having Akon feature on the track must be the current rite of passage for proving an artists relevancy, with everyone from Eminem to Yukmouth requesting his services. The aforementioned track is coupled with the equally trite Lil’ Love, featuring Mariah Carey and Bow Wow, who should be in the ‘step your game up’ column for this appearance alone. Although Candy Paint has a fairly decent pulsating beat, it sounds simultaneously like a plea to appeal to the southern U.S. market while also proving their well known harmonizing abilities. At the same time tracks such as 9mm exist to back up their trademark quick-tongued style.

For a music act that has as many years invested in the game and have as many accomplishments under their belts as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, it’s only natural to hear them exerting their veteran status, which they do throughout. While it is a perfectly accomplished album it has a very clinical approach, lacking the continuity and overall warm vibe of their earlier releases. It isn’t necessarily just for die-hard fans, but at the end of the day it is these fans that will appreciate it more.

Available Through Full Surface/Interscope Records