Ying Yang Twins
U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta)
(TVT/Universal)
There is life after the afterparty. And like crunk-drunk revellers stumbling out of a five-year bachelor bash in the Champagne Room at Scores, Ying Yang Twins sound a little older, a little wiser and occasionally more sober on their fourth album U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta).
Perhaps inspired by the crossover success and critical kudos lauded on homeboys OutKast, D-Roc and Kaine attempt to broaden their decadent Dirty South horizons slightly on this 76-minute set by dropping the occasional message into their misogynist party-rap. Ghetto Classics examines the role of African-Americans in the military, Live Again (co-starring Maroon 5's Adam Levine) is a dark look at the bleak life of a stripper, and Long Time finds the Twins getting downright soulful with the help of silken crooner Anthony Hamilton.
Lest anyone think the Ying Yangs have gone soft, however, there's still plenty of lap-dance crunk on offer, from self-explanatory cuts like Hoes and Shake to a sex-fuelled centrepiece trilogy featuring the X-rated come-on Wait (The Whisper Song), the sleazy Pull My Hair and the comparatively romantic Bedroom Boom.
Which is to say: The afterparty may be over -- but it sounds like the after-afterparty is just getting started.
Track Listing:
1. All Good Things (Intro)
2. F*** The Ying Yang Twins
3. Long Time feat. Anthony Hamilton
4. Live Again feat. Adam Levine of Maroon 5
5. We At War (Skit)
6. Ghetto Classics
7. The Courthouse (Skit)
8. 23 Hr. Lock Down feat. Bun B
9. Sex Therapy 101 (Skit)
10. Wait (The Whisper Song)
11. Sex Therapy 102 (Skit)
12. Pull My Hair
13. Sex Therapy 103 (Skit)
14. Bedroom Boom feat. Avant
15. The Walk feat. Da Muzicians, Countrie Biggz, Homebwoi & BG
16. Hoes feat. Jacki-O
17. Badd feat. Mike Jones & Mr. Collipark
18. Put That Thang Down feat. Teedra Moses
19. Shake feat. Pitbull
20. My Brother's Keeper feat. Anwar
21. Dedication & Upcoming Events (Skit)
22. U.S.A.