American Gangster

"Y'all n*ggas got me really confused out there. I make or one of those -- that had me as the greatest writer of the 21st century. I make some thought-provoking sh*t -- y'all question whether he fallin' off." When you've built up a back catalog of eight studio albums and walk the earth as one of the biggest, most high-profile artists of the '90s and 2000s, you're bound to get some mixed signals from those who pay attention to you. However, the jury did not take long to reach a verdict on 2006's : the consensus on it (as a major fall-off) was as swift and strong as the consensus on (as a classic). Once used copies of became easily attainable for less than two dollars, it was apparent the next album might not be so anticipated. He'd need to get some fresh inspiration and make some corrective maneuvers. Fortunately, both came unexpectedly -- rather than by desperate force -- after he saw an advance screening of the early-'70s period piece , which played a direct role in nine of the songs on this album of the same name. While several tracks connected to specific scenes are also rooted in productions trading in the regal grit that made up so much '70s soul, the album is not a straight narrative, broken up by tracks like the boom-clap of (produced by ) and the glitzed-out pair of (a half-icing layer cake) and (where transforms ' quiet storm staple into a high-gloss anthem). Combined with the tracks laced with '70s soul -- including six produced by , one by , and two by a newly forged partnership between and -- it all adds up to an album that seems nearly out of time, at least when it comes to the years spanning 's career, without resembling a true regression. for instance, takes its lead from 's with blaring organ over heavily weighted drum knocks, yet despite the likeness, it's one of the album's highlights. And while mentions and protagonist directly, and intersperses some tracks with dialogue, the connection does not overshadow the album. It's not like he's yelling "Shaft's Big Score 2K7!" or "Leonard Part Six, Part Two!" It's all as natural as riffing off . And that might be the most common complaint about the album -- it's really just another case of being , albeit with different presentation. Unless you know each verse from through , it might sound like he's dealing with no variation on well-worn themes, the exact same thoughts and emotions that make up older tracks about his past as a drug dealer -- the rise, the arrogance, the conflictedness, the fall, and all stages in between. When he's in the right frame of mind, though, as he is throughout much of the album's duration (it is a bit sluggish in spots), he's as affective with his subject as were with romance. Just as key, the level of insolence and spite on display here is as high as it has ever been. "I got watches I ain't seen in months/Apartment at the Trump, I only slept in it once/N*ggas said Hova was over, such dummies/Even if I fell I land on a bunch of money" has more of those qualities than all of . One could say that's not really saying much, but regardless of context, this is a very good album. He is, for the most part, doing what he has done before: what he does best. ~ Andy Kellman