Ruthless

No one can say that Bizzy Bone’s estrangement from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony slowed his creativity; he has continued to release music at a blinding pace, with Ruthless clocking in as his 14th solo album since 2004. At that rate, quality control becomes an afterthought, but Bizzy is the rare artist who benefits from spilling his guts in extemporaneous expression. The only way to really get to know Bizzy as an artist to contact his fractured psyche, and Ruthless succeeds in showcasing his unpredictable mindset. It bounces from ominous prophecies (“It’s 19 99”) to weed anthems (“Get High”), and from aggravated stand-offs (“F**k Da World”) to sexy smooth ladies’ songs (“4 Da Ladies”). Though the production is rather lo-fi, and it lacks the cohesion of Bone’s classic albums, almost every song delivers some kind of thrill, whether it’s the blinding vocal acrobatics of “Get Bizzy” or the disarmingly sensitive confessions of “4 Da Ladies.” Ruthless may be messy, but it’s truthful. It’s a rewarding listen — the only challenge is keeping up with Bizzy.