Frankly, we'd never heard of this guy until a co-worker noticed last week that this album was No. 3 in Billboard. Even looking at the disc -- which we found in a stack of last month's releases -- we couldn't see the attraction in Nelly, an average-looking rapper from St. Louis, of all places. Once we spun the sucker, however, it all made sense. What's so appealing about Nelly is that he is just some guy from the Midwest -- a fresh voice from an untapped market free of all the East Coast-West Coast thug feuds that have made rap so tired. Sure, this former member of the St. Lunatics peppers his sound with all the same street-life tales and bling-bling boasting as every other rapper. But instead of the predictable g-rap bass beats and barking delivery, he does it to vibrant, syncopated beats reminiscent of Timbaland, and in a soulful, sing-song voice that can deliver a smooth R&B melody as easily as a flowing rhyme. Rap albums disappear from the charts as fast as Matt Damon changes fiancees, so if you want an earful of Country Grammar, now's the time. Who knows when we'll hear from Nelly again.

Track Listing 1. Intro - (featuring Cedric The Entertainer)
  2. St. Louie
  3. Greed, Hate & Envy
  4. Country Grammer (Hot..)
  5. Steal Da Show - (featuring St. Lunatics)
  6. Interlude - (featuring Cedric The Entertainer)
  7. Ride Wit Me - (featuring City Spud)
  8. E.I.
  9. Thicky Thick Girl - (featuring Murphy Lee/Ali)
  10. For My - (featuring Lil' Wayne)
  11. Utha Side
  12. Tho Dem Wrappas
  13. Wrap Sumden - (featuring The St. Lunatics)
  14. Batter Up - (featuring Murphy Lee/Ali)
  15. Never Let 'Em C U Sweat - (featuring The Teamsters)
  16. Luven Me
  17. Outro - (featuring Cedric The Entertainer)