Canibus - Rip the Jacker - Album Review

So I'm back at it again this time reviewing Canibus - Rip The Jacker. The album was produced entirely by Stoupe Enemy Of Mankind (of Jedi Mind Tricks fame). There are no collaborations on this disc it is simply Canibus over stoupe beats from start to finish. a little background on Canibus:

"Expectations were high when Canibus unleashed his Wyclef-produced debut full-length, Can-I-Bus (1998), on Universal. Critics unfortunately panned the album and listeners did so as well, so Canibus receded from the spotlight quickly. He returned two years later with his follow-up for Universal, 2000 B.C., but it too found little embrace, and Canibus soon found himself returning to the underground circuit from which he came. He interestingly sought to battle his way back into the spotlight as he originally had, ultimately confronting Eminem of all rappers. The tactic proved fruitless, though, and alienated Canibus even further from the mass market. Even so, he retained a cultish following and continued to release albums independently of the majors,(including 2002's Mic Club, 2003's Rip the Jacker, and 2005's Mind Control); furthermore, he retained a small base of fans as well,occasionally firing off more of the battle raps he remains most known for, yet his days as the next-big-thing had clearly come and gone, as they similarly had for so many other talented rappers."

1. Intro
A nice little drum beat playing behind a sample of I'm assuming a movie about Jack the Ripper its only 33 seconds long but kinda cool.

2.Genabis
Stoupe does a nice job on this beat with a nice drum layer and some sampled vocals in the back which give this beat an eerie feel. Canibus makes good use of the beat and raps about his mic skills and greatness and other topics. this is one of the better tracks on the album as the beat suits canibus' flow quite nicely and the hook comes across fast and vicious with a nice spit to it.

3.Levitibus
Another interesting beat from Stoupe with his trademark sampled vocals in the back giving that eerie undertone to so many of his beats. Canibus spits hard as usual although he once again raps about how great he is and how everyone should love him etc. I'm not a huge fan of this track although i know some feel it is one of the best on the album.

4.M-Sea-Cresy
Stoupe comes up with a great beat on this track nice drums and some nice samples comin through on the hook. Canibus slows down his flow a bit but it doesnt sound bad as one might think its almost a nice change hearing canibus flow with a little less edge. Once again Canibus raps about his lyrical skill and how he is underrated etc. Great beat and an enjoable listen

5.No Return
The beat on this track has alot of different instruments mashed up throughout it and what probably shouldnt work actually sounds pretty nice. The hook is a vocal sample that really fits great over the beat. Canibus does a fantastic job on this track he lays down 3 verses and each is a different story of his death. he demonstrates a little of that potential he's always had on this track. One of my favorites on the album

6.Spartibus
Stoupe delivers a very simple beat on this with a beautiful Rakim sample for the hook. This is just another battle rap track from Canibus and he comes with his usual hard spit lyrics and imagery. An Enjoyable track but nothing to exciting as the sample of Rakim outshines Canibus.

7.Indibisible
Stoupe comes with a quick beat that has a spanish feel to it and an interesting sample on the hook. Canibus sounds a little awkward over this beat and i think it just a slight clash of styles on this one. Another battle rap in 3 verses from Canibus. The beat is a nice listen the hook is great but the overall track leaves something to be desired.

8.Showtime at the Gallow
Man this track is out of character on the album. It sounds like it was produced by the Beatnuts. Its a nice beat and Canibus sounds good over it although the samples brought in on the hook dont seem to fit to well. On this track Canibus returns to stating his superiority over other emcees and lyrical firepower. another okay track although Canibus' choice of lyrical matter on this disc starts to grow old by this point.

9.Psych Evaluation
Stoupe comes back with another ferocious beat and some great samples including a couple from Portishead which sounds great. Canibus does his standard battle raps and declares his greatness his flow comes across tight as usual but nothing new from him on this track.

10.Cemantics
The beat Stoupe brings on this track is like Nightrider meets Batman with more drums. It's an interesting beat with another sample heavy hook in between Canibus' standard rhymes and flow. The album is beginning to wear on and lose a bit of its appeal.

11. Poet Laureate II
Finally a track for Canibus that he can just spit over. It's a tight fast paced beat which Canibus just rips for 7:19 it switches up twice into 2 less then stellar Stoupe beats more suited to a more versatile emcee although it doesnt take much away from the track and eventually switches back to the original heat. Canibus still lays down his standard battle style raps but he never stops. It is all 1 long verse and it is downright impressive. His flow only makes modest adjustments to the changing beats but this is truely Canibus at his finest.
Canibus has always been hailed as an incredible lyricist and when it comes down to spitting it fast and hard he is one of the best. The biggest flaws with Canibus is his versatility and ability to remain interesting. On this album with the solid production from Stoupe it makes a far more listenable album then Canibus' other works and being only 10 tracks in length also makes it easier. Canibus doesnt really do anything extraordinary on this album as far as his individuall verses go and really there are only a few tracks that warrant alot of listens. I would definitaley reccomend this album to anyone looking to check out Canibus for the first time as it is definatley his finest work so far. I think in the future if canibus were able to recruit some solid artists to collaborate on his albums it would give them a much more interesting sound. Although only produced by 1 producer there still seems to be little flow to this album often times it seems as if it just a collection of 10 tracks throwin on 1 cd. Not being a big Canibus fan, this has been a tough review for me as it is hard to remain un-biased while listening, I hope I have done an acceptable job and havent upset any fans of this album.

Overall 6.3/10

Comments???