Still, even with Toss It Up and Just Like Daddy, this is an INCREDIBLE album, one of the best ever. Its my fav album of all time, because it was Pac in his prime. There's about 6-7 songs on this album that could all be argued as being his single best song, thats how good it is....then probably another 3 songs that are just a small notch below those. Most of the beats are more complex in structure then any of his previous albums, and this was a more intense album from an already extremely intense artist.
Here is my breakdown of the album:
1. Bomb First - Simply one of the sickest intros to an album ever. It really sets the tone, and you can feel the tension rising from the first second until it explodes into a roller coaster ride when Pac starts rapping. Beat is straight up EVIL sounding, and its just a crazy song all around. A sick way to start the album.
2. Hail Mary - Considered by fans and critics alike to be one of his greatest songs, this song is a gem in almost every way. The Outlawz verses are kinda average, but this is outweighed by the superb production and Pac's outstanding two verses. People still sing the first verse today all the time.
3. Toss It Up - Although not a bad song by any means, its the weakest one on the album, and as AM said, it doesnt fit in here very well. This would have been a great song for All Eyez On Me though.
4. To Live and Die In LA - This also sounds a little misplaced, but unlike Toss It Up, it isnt really a weakness, and instead rounds the album out nicely. Pac said this was Cali Love pt. 2, but this song is much better IMO. It wasnt just a song for LA, but a love letter to all its sub-cultures. One of Pac's best singles ever.
5. Blasphemy - An absolutly stunning track that really showcases how high a level Pac truly was when this album was made. This quite possibly the deepest song he ever recorded, and its hard to find a song with so much knowledge packed into it. Three outstanding verses, but the second verse is probably my fav. The production is crazy, similiar to Hail Mary yet different, plus Prince Ital really gives this song a reggaeish feel. At times, this has been my fav Pac song ever.
6. Live Of An Outlaw - A rather underrated song, this one doesnt get its due props IMO. While it isnt as mindblowing as Hail Mary or Blasphemy, this was more of a song for those who crave that raw, street edged vibe that Pac had sometimes. Two of his most energetic verses ever, along with an acoustic blues guitar and/or mandolin over a nice keyboard beat make this an all around great song. Outlawz verses vary in quality, some good (Napoleon), some just average (Kastro).
7. Just Like Daddy - I have mixed feelings about this song. I tend to believe it to be not as good as the other songs on the album (though better then Toss It Up), yet it still gets hated on too much. Pac always made a song for the ladies on his albums, its just that this one wasnt as good as some of his others. The verses and content are on point, I think Pac having only one verse (and just a good verse, not an outstanding one) plus a good (but not great) beat is perhaps why some dont like this song as much. Standing alone, I think this is a very good song, but next to the other mindblowing songs on the album, it isnt as strong.
8. Krazy - Starting with this song, its pretty much flawless the rest of the way. These last 5 songs are perhaps the greatest string of songs ive heard on a hip hop album. Krazy is simply a gem of a song from start to end. Two of Pac's most personal and heartfelt verses, and Bad Azz who drops an excellent verse himself. Just as impressive is the production, one of the SICKEST beats ive ever heard. A simple bassline, with a piano and an electric violin. The beat alone will spark emotion, plus an addicting chorus. A sparkling gem in Pac's huge catalog.
9. White Mans World - This song is signifigant, because it shows Pac was starting to make political songs again like on his early albums, but now he was a more mature and better all around artist, with better production to coat him. It doesnt get too much more emotional then this and the production is simple but yet very effective. Kinda has that hopeless feeling heard in some of his songs. Its crazy how he make a song with political content yet can deliver it on such a personal level. One of my favs on the album.
10. Me And My Girlfriend - though not a new concept, of all the metaphor songs made about guns, this is in my opinion by far the best one. Four lyrically raw Pac verses, and all of them are as aggressive and intense as any other song he made (including Hit Em Up). Pac was always one to rap with full passion, but I think he was on overdrive when he did this one. Absolutly one of my fav songs on the album, and like Hail Mary, Blasphemy, and Krazy, this one has had dibs as being my fav Pac song ever. The production is insane also, a heavy bassline with a beautiful spanish guitar and piano loop. Im rather surprised this song got such a low rating, because its easily one of the best songs hes ever made.
11. Hold Ya Head - Another rather underrated song. Beautiful piano loop, and three excellent verses. The second verse is my favorite, he delivers it with such intensity. Like the the last 3 songs, easily a classic.
12. Against All Odds - Just as Bomb First was a sick way to start the album, Pac ends it almost equally brilliantly. This is quite possibly his best diss song ever. It doesnt get the props as Hit Em Up does, because this one wasnt as shocking. Yet, there is far more truth to it. Everyone, from Puffy to Nas to Tut, is scathed with some of the realest shit he ever wrote....over a dark, menacing beat. The gunshots at the end make this album even more haunting especially in light of the fact he was pronounced dead two months earlier.
All in all, Pac outdid himself with this one.....while AEOM is his most influential album, it will be DK7 that is forever considered his watershed release on a musical and lyrical level.