What's Hot

TWISTA
Adrenaline Rush 2007
Atlantic, 2007
4/10, Sub-Par [scale]

Adreneline Rush 2007

When you’re best known for being the fastest rapper in the game, why would you slow down? Apparently Twista thought there was a good reason to do so, and the result is the sub-par Adrenaline Rush 2007.

It’s been ten years since Tongue Twista’s major-label debut (Adrenaline Rush), and two since his last release (The Day After). And perhaps Twista began recording shortly after that album was finished, which would explain why a lot of the songs on Adrenaline sound outdated. Several are chopped and screwed, which in addition to being a dying fad, just isn’t Twista. The guy packs dozens of syllables into every line – it’s counterproductive to slow him down.

But that’s exactly what he does on many of the album’s cuts, including “Whip Game Proper,” which features yet another uninspiring verse from Lil’ Wayne (think he’s stretching himself a little thin), who apparently has become an obligatory guest on every rap album released in 2007. “No Pistols” is backed nicely by Spanish Guitars, but again, the tempo doesn’t properly compliment Twista’s flow.

Several pointless skits halt any momentum the album tries to build, although there is a bright spot in the middle. “Seven Day Hustle” and “Creep Fast,” both produced by Toxic (who produced about half of the album’s tracks), appear back-to-back and are Adrenaline’s best tracks. The former includes incessant hand claps and a stuttering orchestra hit which give it an old-school vibe. The latter really tailors to Twista’s speedy delivery, with a squeaky, slurred guitar for him to rap over. The song features T-Pain, whose digitally-altered voice is often annoying, but on this particular track you’ve got to be impressed with his ability to keep pace with Twista.

But listeners have to dig too deep to find a couple gems. If Twista’s on a highway, he’s got to be in the far-left lane. His decision to move to the right is highly suspicious. Then again, an entire album of mile-a-minute rhymes might wear on you. Perhaps Twista’s simply best suited as a guest rapper on other artists’ singles. After all, it’s been 10 years now and he’s yet to prove otherwise.

by Andrew Kahn