50 Cent – War Angel LP Review
Possibly taking a cue from his boss’s comic book inspired XXL cover, 50 Cent recorded The War Angel LP: A mixtape inspired by Brian Pulido’s comic of the same name that was made available for download via ThisIs50.Com. 50 promised it would be more of a street album than a mixtape and even went as far as to tell MTV that The War Angel LP was; “the best body of work I put out in the mixtape circuit, period.”
In truth, The War Angel LP doesn’t hold a candle to 50′s mixtape classics like 50 Cent Is The Future and No Mercy, No Fear (although those mixtapes benefited from jacking already popular beats). Instead its 50′s second attempt at re-conquering the mixtape scene–the first was Return of The Body Snatchers–that’s long since been wowed by the likes of Lil’ Wayne and is currently infatuated with Drake and Gucci Mane. Still, it’s a strong effort and another step in the right direction.
More importantly, The War Angel LP is a blatant attempt to reconnect with his core audience with music that’s more street oriented after a series of poorly received singles failed to garner any excitement whatsoever for his upcoming album, Before I Self Destruct.
Early on, the music is not just hardcore, it’s actively aggressive: At times, 50 noticeably changes his delivery from a mumble to a roar and sounds intent on avoiding any melodic hooks, less he look like his autotune crooning counterparts. The only time the production matches 50′s vigor is on “OK, Alright,” where Dr. Dre provides a rattle for headphones and stereos everywhere. Meanwhile, 50 forgoes the charisma that made us love him and leaves only the roughness that made him compelling.
But the harshness fades gradually and midway into the album, he’s right back to singing tenderly on “I’ll Do Anything” and “London Girl.” Making his two most radio friendly tracks the centerpiece of an otherwise gritty affair. The last half of the album lacks the energy of the opening tirade, and while it’s still gangsta, it’s certainly more mellow.
While “I Line Niggas” and “Murder” are still quality tracks, 50 can only be exciting in shorter and shorter bursts. The entire album runs only 32 minutes and every song has two verses, not three.
50 is at his best when referencing Web 2.0 and mashing it with his own grimey take on life: “It’s nothing to it, cock it, bang it, and get rid of that, hit his fitted cap, he won’t get a chance to Twitter that,” he spits on “Talking In Codes.” He picks another bone on “I Gotta Win” by spiting: “You aint a shooter, aint a robber, you talk like a mobster, you’s a fuckin blogger.”
“I Gotta Win” finds the right combination of intensity and charm, making it a standout track. It’s enough to remind us that despite his current losing streak, 50 is a proven winner. He just might have another victory in him, but this LP probably isn’t it.
