Snoop Dogg Album: “Tha Blue Carpet Treatment [PA]”

In a lot of ways anticipating a Snoop album is like anticipating a KRS-One album. I mean, lyrically we have nothing to worry about. Both artists are absolutely brilliant with how they work the words. But for both artists I get a little anxious to see if the production will do even a hint of justice to their flow. I've never doubted Snoop's lyrical hustle. But the beats behind his rhymes are often an insult to his wordplay.

And it kind of happens again with the Blue Carpet Treatment -- but not until a little after the mid-point of this album. At the jump, the Album is charged with smooth fire that is complimentary of Snoop's voice and flow. The moment "Think About it" rolls in my hopes went up and I thought this album was going to put all the others before it to sleep! "Crazy" has a crazy smooth beat. "Vato" has one of the most unique exotic electric sounds I've ever heard in a hip-hop song. And it seems like this energy keeps pushing onward and upward... until Tracks 14 thru 19, all of which --on a sliding scale of quality -- seemed to be below par. Well...actually, track 18 "Pump up your Pads" is an endearing track. I don't care for the beat, but lyrically -- as always -- Snoop can take any topic and make it sound good. Even if it's about young ball players.

And then comes the save: "Imagine." This is by far the most memorable track on the whole album. Unlike most hip-hop songs where it takes a few listens before the meaning behind the lyrics step forward, Imagine manages to resonate from the very beginning. It's one of those songs where you don't just hear it, you feel it.

I have to say also that Snoop's new mission of peace makes for much more compelling material than some of his other work. His more soulful songs bring me back to "Lil' Ghetto Boy" from the Chronic. A lot of hip-hop artists have tried to inject positivity into their rhymes and failed, mostly because they couldn't make hope and optimism as addictive as their gangster tales. Snoop on the other makes you feel like you can still have a cool swagger and still get warm booty without all the mean-mugging and gangster thuggin'. Even his more relaxed visage on the cover works much better than the wrenched up face I've seen on his other album covers. His image and his lyrics seem to project a more natural Snoop -- a perfect image since being laid back comes natural to him.

As far as the five iffy tracks on this album -- whatever. You still have 16 really solid tracks remaining. I hope this isn't our last Snoop album. If anything I think this is proof that Snoop and Doc in the studio one more time will give us another good hit of the Chronic before the Detox.

I know a lot of people are going to exaggerate how good this album was; I can't blame them. After the last few years of straight garbage from Snoop Dogg, it's amazing to here such a solid effort from the Doggfather, and fans are going to have a tendency to state this album is hotter than it is. No disrespect, but this album is not a five; I've only given out fives to albums that are consistently dope from start to finish, and while this album has some dope joints spread throughout, there are a couple missteps. That's more than a bit expected with 21 tracks; if Snoop had cut off a few of the weaker tracks, then yes, I'd reward this album with a five. As it stands, this is a very, very solid four stars.

Snoop has honestly been the posterboy for emcees who left money overwhelm them, and their artistic freedom. The last album I truly enjoyed from Snoop was released when he was still a puppy; Tha Doggfather was, while dissapointing, the last album that displayed any of Snoop's often self-obscured talent. Everything that he put out on No Limit dissapointed me(including the Last Supper), and he wasn't exactly making any strides with Star Trak either. Just when it appears that even some of his most devoted fans have given up on Snoop, he comes back with such a well-rounded album.

Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, first and foremost, has some of the sweetest beats you'll find on any hip-hop album this year. The first nine tracks, all produced by a wide range of emcees, including Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Fredwreck, and Battlecat, among others, are all sincerely engaging pieces of music that'd keep your attention no matter who's spitting over them. LAX is, unfortunately, a very dissapointing track from Battlecat, and neither Snoop Dogg or Ice Cube can carry the track above average. 10 Lil' Crips is insanely hard for a Neptunes joint, and Snoop continues to flow breezily over the track with his refocused sound. Round Here samples the same Dido song that was used for Eminem's Stan, but this somber track still succeeds with its melancholy backdrop, and Snoop's introspective rhymes. The next few tracks are all 'take your pick' types of cuts, in that they may appeal to some heads more than others. However, I think we can all agree that the standout cut, "Imagine," featuring Dr. Dre and D'Angelo is nearly enough reason to warrant a purchase of this album.

While Snoop is admittedly still overrated, one can't deny the dopeness that this album excretes. If you've been waiting on an album from Snoop that you can nearly bump from start to finish in the new millenium, this is the closest thing to it. Sadly, however, at Snoop's age, there is no room for improvement, so this will most likely be his last great album. If Snoop were to retire after this album, he'd go out on a relative high-note; and if he happens to stay in the game for a few more years, than I'll be checking out his next release. Either, with Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, everyone's a winner. Pick it up.

I cant even remember how long its been since bought a snoop album, but after hearing some other reviews I figured it was worth a try. There are 2 types of snoop fans, ones that repect him for his early hits but think he fell off into "pop" culture, and ones that think his last serveral years have been his best. Basically if you weren't pounding snoop 10 years ago you're probibly the latter, and this cd isn't for u.

This cd is certainly not all gold, but its a far better reach to the old days then anything hes dropped since his "no limit" run began.

It's got more then enough tracks for old school fans to find a few hot cuts no matter what you like. And maybe new fans will like all the stars who joined in on this album, though personally I would like to see about 1/2 of them cut. The simple fact is snoop only needs DRE to make pure gold and the song "Imagine" proves it. That song alone makes this album worth the 10 dollars I spent.

So if you used to like snoop then please, BUY THIS. You'll get your money's worth and finally be able to play some new snoop while you roll around town.

I think I am like most Snoop Dogg fans who feel that Doggystyle was his best album. I tend to like the Doggfather and various tracks from his other albums since then, but this was this first album since 1996 that I feel is very solid. It it true that he resorted back to more of the gaangbanging genre of raps, but it seems to be a healthy regression back to those songs that made us love Snoop in the first place. I thought the features were well placed, and my only complaint is that the album is too long. I think if her would ahve used the 14 strongest tracks it would be an album we deem a classic. It actually feels like her put forth a great deal of effort on this release.

Snoop really took me by surprise with this one. I was more excited about Jigga's cd but after hearing the two, I think Snoop's is definately better. Not better lyrically or even better personally, just better musically. In the end, isn't that what the point of making music is all about? The best songs are Get A Light, Lil Crips, Round Here, I Wanna L*** You (ha), and Imagine ft. Dre. Some lowlights are Beat Up On Your Pads (a homage to his kid football team), and LAX ft. Ice Cube. The CD has something for everyone. Dre's beats are better on this cd than they are on Hov's. Way to go Snoop! Keep up the good work