FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1998 All Rights Reserved.
| CD REVIEWS CYPRESS HILL · Fourth album for the re-united trio of B-Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs, following the disappointing III (Temples of Boom) in 1996. · Most recognized for their pro-marijuana stance and their continued involvement in attempting to reform the pot laws in the U.S. I was in Tokyo when the whole Ross "Roots" Rebagliati snowboarding ordeal blew up at the Winter Olympics in Japan. The entire Japanese media was expectedly critical of the pot-smoking gold medallist (in light of the country's zero tolerance to illegal substances), and ridiculous amounts of column inches and on-air time was spent on why the Canuck should be disqualified for his involvement with cannabis. Yet despite all the negative atmosphere of the situation, the record stores in the trendy neighborhoods of Tokyo got into the action, taking advantage of the hype overnight by placing all their Cypress Hill merchandise at the forefront of their hip hop sections. Of course, never wanting to be lagging in what's regarded as fashionable, those crazed Japanese youths ate it all up, buying Cypress Hill albums as if the CDs were made of the illegal substance themselves. IV, the latest effort by L.A.'s favorite sons of the chronic this side of Cheech and Chong, will no doubt have the same youths shelling out their hard-earned yen for this release. This is the Cypress Hill that listeners have come to know, love, and roll their fat ones to, with the combo of tight, booming beats supplied by Muggs, and the street cred rapping of B-Real and Sen Dog. Aural assaults come in the form of "Riot Starter," "Checkmate" and "Nothin' To Lose," while the lighter side of Cypress Hill comes through on "Dr. Greenthumb" and their ode to the literary institution, "High Times." This is arguably the finest album that West Coast hip hop has released this year. Throw the canvas top on the jeep, close the windows and tune in, turn on and toke up. 4/5 |