Bubba Sparxxx Album: “The Charm [PA]”

Coming into this album, Bubba obviously felt like he had a lot to prove, this being his third album, coming after the ambitious but fairly unsuccessful "Deliverance", and it being the first solo album on Big Boi's Purple Ribbon label. "The Charm" is his best album to date. Bubba finally found the right blend of beats, lyrics, guest appearances, and the perfect blend of country and rap to make a really great album. Although Big Boi never appears on the mic, his influence is obvious, and "The Charm" flows like an OutKast or Dungeon Family album. Throughout the eleven tracks, you'll get a mix of catchy party tracks, immaculate production, contemplative conscious rap, and great guest appearances from the multi-talented Purple Ribbon All-Stars, including Killer Mike, Scar, and Sleepy Brown. "The Charm" puts Bubba Sparxxx right where he wants to be and shows everything he's capable of, putting him right to the top of the new generation of southern rap.

The first track is the introductory "Represent", which has a hard beat and good hook, and Bubba raps about where he is in the rap world right now. "Heat It Up" is a pretty regular dirty south rap track, but the flute-laced beat makes it good. "Claremont Lounge" with Killer Mike, which originally appeared on the Purple Ribbon "Got Purp" compilation in October, is a highlight. It has a woozy, bouncy beat, with a catchy hook and a good story. "As the Rim Spins" is just a fun song, with a fast, spinning beat and good chorus. On "That Man", Bubba is assisted by the great Sleepy Brown to tell the world who he is and what he's done. The best song is "The Otherside", which is a song that I absolutely love. I've been listening to it over and over since I got the album, and it's worth the price of the album alone. It's a happy party track with Sleepy Brown delivering a memorable hook and North Carolina vet Petey Pablo displaying great chemistry in a guest appearance. The beat is awesome, and you can almost hear Bubba smiling as he raps over it. Then comes "Ain't Life Grand", with the talented Scar singing the hook. It's Bubba's most conscious track on the album, where he takes a break from the banging beats and partying to voice some of his thoughts and problems, I like it a lot. "Run Away", featuring Frankie J, mixes a country beat and guitar with Bubba's rap like he did on the "Deliverance" album. It's about a relationship, and there's a good twist ending to it. "Wonderful" is another happy track that's fun to listen to. By now you've probably heard "Ms. New Booty", the first single, which isn't representative of the album at all. It's strictly a club track, and although I admit it's pretty funny, it's probably the weakest track on the album. "Hey (A Little Gratitude)" seals a good ending on the great album.

"The Charm" gives Bubba Sparxxx a depart from being simply an engine for Timbaland's beats to being one of the best young rappers in the south. While it is representative of much of the popular dirty south style, it's on the high end in the same way that OutKast is. It's the best southern hip hop album out right now, better than Juvenile and Lil' Wayne's recent albums. From the beats to the lyrics and concepts, Bubba has finally found the blend he's been looking for and should be satisfied at last. "The Charm" is a very entertaining and rewarding album that I recommend to all.

Well Bubba Sparxxx has managed to churn out some good stuff in the past, the problem was that it either had only good beats like on Dark Days, Bright Nights or good lyrics on his second album Deliverance. After not having not so good sells with the latter album he hopes the third times the "Charm" here.

Thankfullly with you don't get the usual guest heavy, 15+ track album that last over 70 minutes when artist release their third album. The album opens up nicely with Represent where Bubba talks about where he's from and all. Bubba manages to take you back to his good ole days from deliverance on "As The Rim Spins". The guest appearances that are on here are on key like Killer Mike and Cool Breeze's verses ("Claremont Lounge"). Frankie J does his thing singing on the chorus to "Run Away" and ditto Sleepy Brown on "The Otherside" with M.I.A. Peety Pablo teaming up with Bubba Sparxxx to drop some lines.

There are ups and downs with party joints produced by Mr. Collipark on "Ms. New Booty" which is ovverated especially since the music sounds exactly like David Banner's "Play", and the mellow laidback beat of "Heat It Up". Unlike others I was dissapointed with Timbalands production "Hey! (A Lil' Gratitude)" Also this album seems a little to popish and radio friendly compared with his past stuff. Sales wise this album is Bubba's best which would convince you to buy it but I suggest you check out Delivarance before trying to "charm" yourself.

Bubba is one of my favorite rappers & this CD was great. "Run Away" with Frankie J is a wonderful song.

I hated the single, Ms. New Booty, but after listening to the CD all the way through it definitely has its place.

This is a very, very complete CD...lyrics, beats, production. Please do not sleep on this one. Get a copy. Music like this gives me hope again with rap. I only wish Big, Killer, Sleepy and Bubba were all on one track together, man.

The carm was a cd that i looked forward too. there are very few white mcs in the game and when they actualy have some talent it excites me. bubba is one of those mcs. i dont no were i was when he left timbland as his mentor and producer. i bought the cd looking forward to that booming country flow of bubba AND those rediculas tracks timmy puts together. i dont think anyone wold disagree that timberland if not the best is one of the best producers of all time. timberland is only on one track the outro track Hey! dont think miss new booty is how the whole album is bc its not. o and belive me booty booty booty rocking everywere will get stuck in your head. the cd lyricly is the same as the last 2 with the exception of a cd packed with timberland production. Bubba went to the big boi's purple ribion record lable and big boi also produces a few tracks. killa mike and cool breeze apear on track 3 clarmont lounge, this is a hott song. its been a while since i heard from cool breez. there is 2 or 3 tracks by Mr. collipark i cant decide if im feelin him or not but he does make some beats that gets a party goin. Like i said im sad to see that bubba is no longer a timberland artist but i guess him with purple ribion under big boi is not a bad place to go to. overall this is a strog preformance from bubba sparxx but is not better then his last 2 cds.