Hey, Cypress Hill, it's time to face the facts: the bowl has been cashed. If there is indeed anything new to be said about guns, weed or the crime- ridden streets of the west coast ghetto, B-Real and the gang aren't saying it. Their new release has been positioned as something of a departure for the Hill, particularly the lead track "Looking Through The Eye Of A Pig," in which B-Real assumes the viewpoint of a cop. But after a few listens, it becomes clear that, at this point, these guys really don't have anything to say, new or otherwise.

Still, you have to admit that Cypress Hill are the reason why kids growing up in farm belt communities now begin sentences with the word "yo." Their high- profile MTV videos, incessant touring, and willingness to rub shoulders with alternative rock bands have made them one of the most popular rap acts with white suburban youth. Part of the credit lies with producer DJ Muggs, who consistently crafts a booming yet accessible presence that sounds great coming out of any stereo. Unfortunately, his aural candy tastes a little less sweet on this go- round. It sounds as though he's making some concessions to the third generation Dre being cranked out by the No Limit stable. Sure, that stuff is selling like frisbees, but who's going to remember it in ten, or even five years? Only "Checkmate," with its drum loop sampled from the Time's "Release It," packs any real punch.

Lyrically, there are fewer songs about ganja, but this only highlights the fact that paeans to power of loco weed are what Cypress Hill does best. Here we have the usual glamorized slices of violent street life, many of them rendered by thoroughly underwhelming guest rapper Barron Ricks. Then there's the offensive "Freak Bitch (From The Club)," which is heavy on the sex rhymes but feather light on the imagination. And nobody could find the "Dr. Greenthumb" skit funny-- I don't care what kind of shit you're smoking. It's time for these guys to either pack something fresh or put away the pipe, because I'm tired of sucking on the same stale ashes.

-Mark Richard-San

"Checkmate"

[MPEG Low Quality]
[MPEG High Quality]
[Real Audio Stream]