Some cats might think that a rapper who’s able to sing and rhyme with considerable skill might be soft. Yeah, Cee Lo might be a little soft around the gut, but when he’s got a mic in his hand, he comes hard every time. With a bass-line that’ll smack the ugly outta any chickenhead, World Party immediately gets you amped as Goodie Mob introduce their plans to get the whole world vibing to this track. Cee-Lo sings the chorus, and you think you’re in church, taking it all in. But then the verses are recited in precision, and you’ve got a banging track. “Chain Swang” is on a similar vibe: deep, dark sounds and on point lyrics.

With a title like “Street Corner”, you wonder how good this track could possibly be, but a vivid picture is imprinted in your mind. Needless to say, the beats are banging, but you’re able to see how life in the ghetto revolves around the corner, on whichever block happens to be the hottest. “Just Do It” slows the tempo down a little, but the intensity remains the same: fierce. If you’ve been looking for some motivation, this cut should do it. Each member tells you a tale of what they’ve been through, and are sending out a message out to all those rappers that haven’t experienced the shit they’re claiming to have done. Cee-Lo’s vocal chords are flexed once again on “Rebuilding”, which is a message to everyone, that we all have to do our own part in order to make this world a better place.

There are a few themes that are predominant on this album: world unity, staying true to one self, and improving yourself. Did any of y’all think Goodie Mob would be able to accomplish this? With Organized Noize on production, there is no way that this album could have sounded bad, but the message might not have come out as clearly as it did, if it weren’t for the lyrical talent that this crew possesses. Even if you’re not a fan, you’re missing out on a truly great experience. World Party manages to put you in two places at once: listening to the preacher in church and rolling with your crew with this album thumping.

Seems like no one can go anywhere with their posse, and apparently 2Mex and Mum’s the Word are just like the rest of us. These tracks with featured artists really shine above the rest. On “Paranoia Shiek”, you’re treated to drawn out, operatic tones over which the impact of paranoia on one’s life is discussed. Iriscience steals the show, as he plays out the paranoia that exists on a ordinary day. “Upside Down 6″ treats you to 9 different MC’s, each rhyming about a different topic. Put all the verses together, and they don’t make much sense, since you’re getting 9 different stories. But treat each one as its own story, and you begin to realize the skills that were just unleashed. Circus and Life Rexall appear on “Unraveling”, which speaks on having thoughts of going crazy and just losing it, but being able to maintain and keep focus. Interesting use of sound here, with the sound of modems connecting appearing throughout, giving it a futuristic/video game type vibe.

So can 2Mex and Mum’s the Word get the job done on they own? Of course they can. They open up the album nicely with “Hollow Victory”, in which they’re bragging about actually putting out an album, and you listening to their shit. “Funny Isn’t It” assumes that you’re digging the Mind Clouders, and that a friendship has developed. Interesting concept here. On “Fake It Until The Outro”, 2Mex and Mum’s the Word poke fun at their rhyming skills, that they managed to get it this far on the album.

Don’t take them seriously though, cause the Mind Clouders do have what it takes, even if they don’t always believe it themselves. These kids are comedians, hammin’ it up on the mic. And they pull it off, keeping you tuned in until the final cut. Seems like everyone wants to be serious on the mic nowadays, it’s always good to see shit like this. Expect a fun album, which doesn’t disappoint.