Method Man Blackout! CD

Parental Advisory

Personnel includes: Method Man, Redman, Ghostface, Street, LL Cool J, Mally G, Missy Elliott (vocals).
Producers include: Erick Sermon, RZA, Redman, Gov Mattic, DJ Scratch.
Engineers include: Dave Greenberg, Brian Springer, Tommy Uzzo.
Personnel includes: Method Man, Redman, Ghostface, Street, LL Cool J, Mally G, Missy Elliott (vocals).
Producers include: Erick Sermon, RZA, Redman, Gov Mattic, DJ Scratch.
Engineers include: Dave Greenberg, Brian Springer, Tommy Uzzo.
Hip-hop fans have known for years that Method Man and Redman are two of the top MCs in the field, and their tour together not only proved the fact, but also showed they rap incredibly well together. Their deliveries are similar and the flow never falters, but the hint of gravel in Meth's voice makes them easily distinguishable. Now, with Blackout!, the duo's first album together (though both guested on each other's 1998 LPs), listeners have the proof on wax. Skating on top of spare, hard-hitting productions by Erick Sermon, Wu-Tang's RZA, Mathematics, and Redman himself -- under his Reggie Noble alias -- Meth and Redman trade off on hardcore rhymes and freestyle over each other. There's barely room for breath, but the rhymes are tight and inventive throughout. There are only two guest appearances (for Ja Rule & LL Cool J on "4 Seasons" and Ghostface and Street on the hilarious Blair Witch Project send-off "Run 4 Cover"), and the focus on just Meth and Redman makes for an even tighter, more combustible LP. Even with the high expectations that come along with a project of this magnitude, Blackout! rarely disappoints. ~ John Bush
One of the most interesting things about this collaboration between two of hip-hop's heaviest hitters is how little it relies on traditional hip-hop rhythms. Rather, most of the songs on BLACKOUT employ rhythms based on funk and dancehall reggae, giving the album a freshness that sets it apart from the hip-hop pack. Method Man and Redman have nothing if not a talent for drama, going so far as to back up their statements of gangsta superiority and sexual prowess with the sound of exploding bombs on "Fire in Da Hole."
The pair eschews the use of elaborate arrangements and overt samples so as to focus the tracks on their own forceful, dynamic delivery. Most importantly, Method Man and Redman don't appear to be in a contest to see who can rap the fastest. Their pace is deliberate enough to ensure that their message is received, and their style is expansive enough to include vocal flourishes that play off the aforementioned dancehall rhythmic touches.
One of the most interesting things about this collaboration between two of hip-hop's heaviest hitters is how little it relies on traditional hip-hop rhythms. Rather, most of the songs on BLACKOUT employ rhythms based on funk and dancehall reggae, giving the album a freshness that sets it apart from the hip-hop pack. Method Man and Redman have nothing if not a talent for drama, going so far as to back up their statements of gangsta superiority and sexual prowess with the sound of exploding bombs on "Fire in Da Hole."
The pair eschews the use of elaborate arrangements and overt samples so as to focus the tracks on their own forceful, dynamic delivery. Most importantly, Method Man and Redman don't appear to be in a contest to see who can rap the fastest. Their pace is deliberate enough to ensure that their message is received, and their style is expansive enough to include vocal flourishes that play off the aforementioned dancehall rhythmic touches.

Rolling Stone (11/11/99, p.132) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a tight-as-drum album in an era of half-assed efforts..."
Rolling Stone (11/11/99, p.132) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a tight-as-drum album in an era of half-assed efforts..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/8/99, p.73) - "...when hip-hop's most playfully creative rhyme stylers throw down like two superballs in a rubber room, they're unstoppable - and make rap's most joyous ride." - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (10/8/99, p.73) - "...when hip-hop's most playfully creative rhyme stylers throw down like two superballs in a rubber room, they're unstoppable - and make rap's most joyous ride." - Rating: A-
The Wire (1/00, p.100) - "...skulk-funk...Redman moans a melody of dank basement isolation, while on 'Cereal Killer' he sabotages over vamping guitar....Meth executes some taut syncopation...on which his syllables alternate cadences with producer Eric Sermon's thumpingest track of the LP..."
The Wire (1/00, p.100) - "...skulk-funk...Redman moans a melody of dank basement isolation, while on 'Cereal Killer' he sabotages over vamping guitar....Meth executes some taut syncopation...on which his syllables alternate cadences with producer Eric Sermon's thumpingest track of the LP..."
The Source (2/00, p.95) - Included in The Source's "Top 10 Albums of the Year [1999]."
The Source (2/00, p.95) - Included in The Source's "Top 10 Albums of the Year [1999]."