Throwback Thursday album Review - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal

In July of 1995 a group from the midwest who had just turned hip-hop sideways released their second album. That group is Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The group which was found by Easy-E and signed to Ruthless Records had twisted us up with their quick multi-syllabic rap style which added harmonizing elements with Creepin on ah Come Up, but that album was so short it was almost an EP. This is a full length follow up "E. 1999 Eternal" for this week's throwback Thursday album review.

"Da Introduction" has a really long intro before they get into rapping over a slow beat with haunting organs playing which gives that dark feel it seems they were going for. But the next song "East 1999" comes in with some serious bass. This track is serious and probably slept on by none Bone aficianados cause they aren't the easiest random listen, although if you aren't worried about lyrics you can nod and right out to this. "Crept and We Came" features Bizzy with a flow that sounds like Eminem borrowed from on "Just Lose it", and it is very catchy and draws you into a song that maintains the album dark flow but moves in a more energetic way. The song itself is about how they are still the same guys despite their success.

OF course this album is remembered for creating "Crossroads" the smash and classic hit about dealing with death. This is one of the few songs where you hear more than six or seven words. "Land of the Heartless" is more about the streets and how rough it is in Cleveland. In fact just about every song references Cleveland, proving Bone was determined to put on for their area. The other huge hit was the dope dealer anthem "1st of tha Month" which has a simple, repeatable hook about the celebrations that occur when checks come out.

I haven't listened to this album in years but what i can say is that it's still hard to tell what the hell is going on in the actual songs themselves. This is because of the layering used to create the harmonies along with their flows. but an artist like Twista I can still hear his actual words. it's a bit disconcerting when you want to do something other than listen to the harmonies which can definitely lull you. I can also see how weed smokers would enjoy their music because it's just so melodic and you can just nod your head to it. For me it's cool but I can never really get into it because it's so complicated to listen to.


Rating: 2.5/5