NATAS – N of tha World Review
Posted by Selwyn DeSa on 02.01.2006
NATAS is definitely back and with a vengeance.
This is supposedly going to be Esham's return to the wicked shit. He was extremely unhappy that he could not call himself The Unholy or be himself creatively the way he wanted on Psychopathic Records so he left and along with TNT and Mastamind reunited acid raps version of N.W.A., NATAS. Is Esham back to his old evil self and will leaving Psychopathic help or hurt his career? Well there is only one way to find out.
Bump –
Track 2) Once Upon a Time: A good opener as right away you realize that this is not Psychopathic Records, as has a definite NATAS vibe to it, Esham was right on point and TNT has not lost a step.
Track 3) Dead Men Don't Sing: This track has an awesome beat and Esham's delivery compliments it well, TNT also came strong.
Track 4) World's Apart: I love Esham so far on this CD as he seems to be motivated again, and TNT is keeping up with him step for step, the chorus has an Ozzy feel to it and I like it.
Track 5) Long as I Live: This is the first track where the beat does not assault you right away and gives way to a more melodic sound and Esham and TNT handle it well with some tight rhymes and well placed deliveries.
Track 6) Pancakes & Syrup: A bit goofy and obviously is not about real "Pancakes & Syrup" but harmless enjoyable fun.
Track 7) Full of Hate: This could have been much wickeder considering the title but it is still good and the chorus gives it that hate vibe they were trying to capture.
Track 8) Nightmares: Another laidback beat ripped by TNT and Esham, their showing a nice mixture of brutal and beautiful.
Track 9) On My Own: Esham talks about being back "On My Own" in this deep, honest, and well done track.
Track 10) Trouble & Pain: I am definitely feeling this track; it is profound and is absolute right about the world being full of nothing but "Trouble & Pain."
Track 11) N of tha World: Mastamind makes his only appearance 11 tracks in and does not exactly make me wish he appeared more, luckily Esham and TNT did enough to make the title track bump worthy.
Track 12) See You in Hell: This beat is interesting to say the least but Esham and TNT work it well and manage to make a dope track out of it.
Track 16) Why You Gotta Lie: Crazy is the only way to describe the albums finale, as the beat switches back and forth from Metallica's "Enter Sandman" to Run DMC's "Walk This Way", A good way to close things out on a high note as the last few tracks were going downhill.
Skip –
Track 1) Intro: I do not know what this intro is from but the person whose voice is doing it was very irritating and I could not wait to start to album just to hear him stop talking.
Track 13) Question Mark: Another interesting beat but this time not even the lyrics save it, as it just never clicked.
Track 14) Crazytown: This was decent but nothing special and I have been generous enough with album that I can suggest skipping this one.
Track 15) Niggas Always Talkin' Alot of Shit: For what is a reply to all the shit talkers they should have came harder with the lyrics and picked a heavier beat.
This was more of an Esham and TNT CD as Mastamind only appears for a verse on the title track but I am not complaining as I always felt that while he was not necessarily the weak link of the group that he could not keep up with either of his fellow NATAS members. I also thought this would be more of an Esham showcase then anything but TNT really came on strong and got me excited for his upcoming solo "Suicide Bomber." They also did not waste time with a bunch of boring ass skits and even though it started to drag a bit towards the end, NATAS is definitely back and with a fucking vengeance.
The 411: NATAS left it all on the table here as they showed that they could still be the brutal ruthless motherfuckers they always were but also know how to come with the laidback shit you can puff on a blunt too. The limited role of Mastamind might upset some diehards but I thought Esham and TNT more than made up for his absence. This also got me hyped for the upcoming TNT solo and made me excited about an Esham solo with the chains off so to speak. Get some acid rap in your life and cop this album.
