Magic - White Eyes
Reviewed By: ULTIMATECDLINK
Album Rate: 3.0 out of 5 Stars
It has been several years since we've heard a solo project from Magic. With C-Murder behind bars, Magic leaves TRU Records and returns to the New No Limit Records as a member of the new 504 Boyz. His new album features Partners-N-Crime, Weebie, 6 Piece, Tyron, & Trouble.
1. Intro
2. War (f/ Trouble)-- this track has a really nice midtempo beat. It's more of a laid back track but Magic could have easily made it uptempo and got you all hyped up. Basically, it's about how you don't wanna fuck with him. It's a nice song to start the album off with.
3. Hustler-- this track has a slower tempo beat with its bass guitar and basslines. Magic raps in a laid back manner about how he had to hustle to make it down in the 9th Ward. The track isn't that bad.
4. What You Gonna Do-- this track has a lot of piano keys over a nice bassline and beat that sounds like you were India. Magic gives us the first glimpse of the crazy, hyped up Mista Magic from the older No Limit days. The hook goes "what the fuck you gonna do when my boys come runnin for you". Nice track.
5. Creepers-- Magic starts this off by dedicating the song to incarcirated label mate Mac. The beat on this one is basically a chord on a bass guitar over a simple bassline. Magic seems like he talks more on the track instead of actually rappin. Not really feelin this one too much.
6. I'll Be There-- this track starts off and you immediately know this is an R&B type track even before the chrous starts. Magic raps in a sing-songy style that seems to be gettin more and more popular these days. This is one of those odes to your woman that sounded almost like a ripoff of Nelly & Kelly Rowland's "Dilemma". I'm not feelin this one much.
7. What Up Then-- this track has a lot of keys and synthesizers on the beat. Again, we are subjected to the R&B chorus while Magic raps about hollerin at his girl. Another disappointing track.
8. Shake A Little Something (f/ Partners-N-Crime & Weebie)-- this track is classic N.O. bounce track that is sure to be a club banger. PNC does a nice job and shows why they have been one of N.O.'s favorites over the years. If you like those booty shakin tracks, this is one for you but otherwise, just skip it.
9. Fire-- this track sounds like something Mannie Fresh give you on the beats. Magic finally shows a little life on a mic on this one. The track is a little short but it's still a nice song worth checkin out.
10. Good Life (f/ 6 Piece)-- this track starts off with Magic talkin about how he knows how to treat a woman. 6 Piece is the white boy band Master P signed a few years back and it sounds kind of funny to hear them sing the hook about ballin on 20 inch rims and sippin on Don P. The track isn't that bad compared to the other tracks on the album.
11. What-- no, this isn't the same "What" that was release as a single in late 2002. In fact, that version of "What" is nowhere to be found on the album. This version has Magic rappin about how he likes his women. Basically, a complete opposite of the mental patient scenario presented in the original. They should have stuck with that version because this one is just terrible.
12. With You (f/ Tyron)-- this track is another R&B type track with Magic rappin how he needs "a boo like you." It'd make a good radio single but the thugs out there listening to the album will probably skip it.
13. Friday-- this track has a laid back guitar beat over a bassline. Another R&B chorus on this one while Magic raps about gettin ready to party on the weekend. It's a decent track that's bumpable.
14. Ball Like Us-- this track starts off with yet another R&B hook on the intro while Magic raps about how they ball in N.O.-- trucks with 22's, going V.I.P, etc. Not that bad of a track.
15. Never Slippin-- this track has synthesizers over a bassline on the beat. Magic raps with a little more fire in voice but not much. It's a decent track worth checkin out.
16. Smoke On-- this track has a laid back West Coast beat. Magic comes to the mic with rhymes about gettin fucked up on that greenery. It's a song you can smoke out to so all the smokers out there will appreciate it.
17. Forgive Us-- this track has one of those slower, laid back beats over a bassline. Magic does a nice job about asking the Lord for forgiveness for all his flaws and how we all have time to go out to the clubs but we don't have time to go to church. I actually like the message on this one and think it's one of the better songs on the album.
18. Outro
Overall, the album has its share of positives and negatives. First off, the production on the album is pretty good with nice beats throughout. But the dominating R&B feel on the album doesn't give you much variety at all. Magic doesn't rap with that same fire and passion that we've come to expect from his previous albums and even his verse on the 504 Boyz single "Tight Whips". As a Magic fan expecting more, this is one of the most disappointing albums of the year. Diehard No Limit fans will still probably want to check it out, but for those of you expecting to hear the same hardcore Magic from the older No Limit days, forget it--you're getting an R&B album here.
Magic - White Eyes