Pain Is love

I'm not that big of a fan of Ja Rule as of late. His singy songy pop style has gone towards the wayside a la Nelly, instead of doing what got him into the game in the first place..his hard core delivery. So, after the dissapointing sophomore...Rule quickly follows up with album 3. Is it a homage to his original style, or to the new catchy Ja Rule? Let's examine shall we.

Pain Is Love (Skit) – Um..nothing here. Ja Rule talking, then singing with bells tolling in the background. I piss a track was wasted on this.

$.00

Dial M For Murder – This is probably one of the hottest tracks I've heard from Ja Rule in years. This is what I remember the original Ja Rule rappin like, the "Six Feet Underground" Ja..not the "I'm real" one. On this track, Ja once again screams MURDAH!! The beat on this thing is ill.

$2.00

Livin It Up (ft. Case) – The second single from the album, and definately a club track. This is what has become of Ja Rule over the last few years. Singy tracks that are more for the club than for the streets. If thats what sales...I'm not going to hate. Just not going to listen.

$.50

The Inc. – The track starts off with a nice beat, as members of Murder Inc. rap all over what I guess is their new anthem. Cadillac Tah is the only other Inc. member I know. There isn't anything special about this track. But the song is easy to remember..just a tad boring.

$1.00

Always On Time – On this track, a young lady sings the hook about how she may now always be there when Ja calls..but she's always on time. This song does something that is rare with Ja...blends song with rhymes in a way that actually works.

$1.75

Down Ass Bitch (ft. Charlie Baltimore) – I thought Baltimore was dead!! Man, its good to hear from her ass. Anyway...on this track Ja sings to his woman about how she's down for anything he's going through.

$2.00

Never Again – As I listen to this song, I realize now that Ja Rule is a boring rapper when he's not rapping hard or singing some pop-esque track. When he lies in between those medians....its a sad sad state.

$.25

Worldwide Again (Boo & Gotti) - A song with the Rockland rappers? What the hell was Ja thinking. These guys are not good...at all. Look Ja, they may be friends of yours. But there comes a time when you need to let friendships end when they cause mishaps like this. On here, Ja and the Rockland clique sing about how they are worldwide figures.

$.10

Leo (Skit) - LOL...a skit from a relative to the pschic that doesn't really shit (Take the name of the track and add a 'C' in front of it.)

$.80

I'm Real (Ft. J-Lo) – I loathe Jennifer Lopez with a passion, and for me to make it through this whole song without shooting myself says a lot for this track. Its remix to one of her shitty tracks. Its a lot better, and has a little more street feel than the original. I'm still baffled how J hoe got the greenlight to say the word 'nigga'.

$1.50

Smokin and Ridin - Ja says that we ain't nothing but some Gangstas, so come on and ride wit us. So original and mindblowing.

$.75

X (ft. Missy Elliott & Tweet) – Wow, I see now. The reason Rockland and J Lo were the previous guests is because all the money went to getting Missy and Tupac on the album. Well, since this track is pretty hot I guess I'll let that slide. On this track, the letter X means ecstasy...sexually you idiots. Missy and Ja both rap, while Tweet does the hook. I think, oddly enough, Tweet is what puts this track over (in hand with the beat).

$1.70

Big Remo (Skit) – Wtf?

$.00

Lost Little Girl – Ja finally sings with purpose. On this track, Ja raps about how a girl who could've had everything...but she's 17 with children, abused by her pops, and acting as if what makes her is whats between her legs. Why can't Rule rap with purpose more often?

$2.30

So Much Pain (ft. 2pac) – The two styles of Ja and Pac are very similar..at least when Ja tries. Anyway, to hear Pac over this slow beat (which seem to be his speciality) just puts so much emotion into this song. Definately the best thing this album has going for it.

$3.00

Pain Is Love – Title track, and usually this is a bad thing. But in this case, this track is a nice way to close up shop. Here, Ja asks the Lord why Love don't love him.

$1.30

Ja manages to improve slightly over his sophomore effort, but still nothing to completely blow you out of the water. If you're a Rule fan, then hop on this fast. But if you like your hip-hop with a little more substance..than you may want to pass this up.

Album worth: $18.95

Album price: $14.99

-Now that you've read something, he's written. Wouldn't you like to find out more about Vigilante? Here you go.

-Interested in buying the cd? Look no further: Here you go.