lines, lively piano licks and sugary vocal arrangements that recall the best blaxploitation soundtracks. "Buck 'Em," featuring Onyx's Sticky Fingaz, is a vintage Dre-Snoop collaboration. The uptempo "Snoopafella" is a ghetto fairy tale made instantly memorable by Snoop's clever wordplay.
The downside to Top Dogg is Snoop's non-growth as a lyricist: Women are still bitches, gangsterism still reigns supreme, and Slick Rick's influence still overwhelm Snoop's flow. Coming on the heels of two disappointing albums, Top Dogg is certainly a step forward -- but don't call it a comeback. (RS 814)
KEVIN POWELL
