yinyang205's Full Review: Super Tight... by Underground Kingz
Does anyone else think that the dreaded "sophomore slump" is a bit overrated?
Let's look at it from a historical perspective. Jay-Z followed up his classic debut with Volume One: In My Lifetime. Nas gave fans It Was Written in the wake of another classic album, Illmatic. Outkast dropped one of the three most influential Southern albums in ATLiens to follow their debut. The latter has come to be regarded as a one of the best hip-hop albums ever put on wax, while fans have seemingly come to view the former two in a better light as years have passed. My point in all of this? To show that while the so-called sophomore slump is something that all artists should beware, it is something that is given too much weight as well. For proof, look no further than UGK's Super Tight, which has the misfortune of being sandwiched between their debut (which holds important historical significance for the group) and their outstanding third effort, Ridin Dirty. As a result, it tends to be glossed over when people talk about the duo of Bernard Freeman and Chad Butler. However, to do so is to miss out on an important step between UGK's first and third albums.
Track Listing and Ratings:
Return (4 Stars)
Underground (4 Stars)
It's Supposed to Bubble (5 Stars)
I Left it Wet For You (4 1/2 Stars)
Feds in Town (5 Stars)
Pocket Full of Stones, Pt. 2 (4 1/2 Stars)
Front, Back, Side to Side (4 Stars)
Protect and Serve (4 1/2 Stars)
Stoned Junkee (5 Stars)
P*ssy Got Me Dizzy (4 Stars)
Three Sixteens (4 Stars)
So, why is Super Tight important? For starters, overall, it's a better disc than UGK's debut was; Pimp C has improved as a producer and assumes full-time production duties for this effort. The style hasn't changed at all, as the same laid-back, sample-heavy production is still evident here. His execution is what's to note on Super Tight, because while some of his beats on the previous effort tended to plod along slowly (forcing both him and Bun-B to slow their flows), the production is smoother this time around. Examples of this can be seen in the album's first two tracks, as both "Return" and "Underground" manage to display the well-known Southern funk sound without boring the listener at the same time, with the former utilizing blaring organs and the latter using a smooth piano loop and drums as the two spit tight verse over both. "It's Supposed to Bubble" might feature the best bit of production on the album, sporting a guitar pluck and drum combo that pulls the listener in and forces him to hear the track in its entirety. A similar sound can be heard throughout the album, but doesn't become monotonous as Pimp C deftly switches the mood of each track when necessary; whether it be the relaxed mood of the aforementioned "It's Supposed to Bubble," or depressed feel of "Stoned Junkee," the beatwork manages to stay consistent while also remaining entertaining.
The other reason that this album is an improvement over Too Hard to Swallow is because of Bun-B's progression as an emcee. The time between the two albums did him good, as his voice deepened a bit, giving him better mic presence; he also began to add inflections to his words, which makes him infinitely easier to listen to this time around. Both changes can be seen in the album's opener, as Bun's defiant tone steals the show from under his partner's feet. The trend continues on "It's Supposed to Bubble," as Bun's smooth delivery match the track’s feel perfectly, while Pimp C's loud and brash delivery seems a bit out of place. However, it is the album's closer, "Three Sixteens," that best shows Bun's growth as an emcee; here, DJ DMD, Pimp C, and Bun B all spit verses, but Bun's violent opener is the best of the three, leaving the other two emcees hard pressed to match it:
"Whassup, muthaf*cka? Yeah it's the funk droppa, the punk stoppa
The trunk poppa ready to break y'all off somethin proper
You know I'm a villain, so why try?
F*ck a glock, I'm throwin a glock party, darin n*ggas to drive by
I came to smoke a son of a b*tch that went for his but didn't pull it
Fast enough and got blasted up with a bullet
I'm snipin, I got you in my scope so what's the use of tryin to bail?
I'm ready to catch a case but not for yayo, for a murder, mayne
187 ways to rip ya spine out anytime you wanna test
Say you never heard of pain? Wait till I pull my nine out
And empty out a clip in yo chest cavity…"
So, I guess we can say that Bun is angry?
Both of the mentioned reasons help to provide more standout material for this effort. "It’s Supposed to Bubble" sees both emcees living up the high life in style as Pimp C proudly states, "That Dom Perignon, it's supposed to bubble!" Over the grooving bassline and guitar plucks, this song practically screams for radio play and easily has the most crossover appeal of any track on the album. "I Left It Wet For You" is notable for its crassness, as the two spit non-apologetic verses about all the women they've had sex with; it's a perfect embodiment of UGK's cockiness as well as an overall great (and somewhat humorous) song. However, it's not all just fun and games for them, as they show that they can still spit the gritty street tales that gave them their underground following. "Feds in Town" is a perfect example of this, as the two put their storytelling abilities to work and detail the ups and downs of the drug game while also laying out their struggles with the Feds. "Protect and Serve" serves as a middle finger to the police, as the two deliver scathing verses against law enforcement for police brutality and racial profiling; it even has NWA samples of their now infamous line "F*ck Da Police!" scratched into the chorus. The track marks the first time UGK addresses such a topic, and makes for an intriguing listen as it's a departure from their tried and true topics of drugs and sex. The roll of excellent material comes to a head with two tracks in "Pocket Full of Stones, Pt. 2" and "Stoned Junkee"; the former is a continuation of the well-known track from their debut, as they (with help from Mr. 3-2) spit about slinging drugs, and while it doesn't stand up to the original, their narratives are still worth of repeat listens. Plus, Pimp's beat this time around doesn't tempt the listener to skip the track entirely. The latter is the album's best track, as UGK spits from the point of view of an addict over a slow and dark beat; Pimp C's story of a young woman addicted to crack is worthy of a listen, but it's Bun-B's description that serves as the song's highlight:
"You see I'm homeless, I'm broke, I stank
I got some f*cked up teeth, and I'm a thief, so I gank
For lil' kids lunch money, a child I would choke
And clothes line your granny for some change so I can take a toke
You see I'm not in my right mind
So I'm hoping that I can get some dope in my system by night time
So to make a lil' cash I might wipe me a windshield
Pump gas or take your purse and dash
Ain't trying to make a deal with cha
But if I can't get a dime for six fool I'm bout to get cha…"
Obviously inspired by "Feel Like I'm the One Who's On Dope," from their previous effort, UGK again shows the downside of the drug world and in the process shows that they were ahead of their time, especially given the current state of crack and drug rap.
Really, there isn't much to quibble about with Super Tight, other than a slight miss with the production for "Stoned Junkee" (Pimp C slips back into Tortoise Mode for the beat) and a relative lack of diverse subject matter. In all, though, there aren't many flaws; it's a lean and mean 11 tracks, with only three other guests on the album in Mr. 3-2, Smoke D, and DJ DMD (the latter two are uncredited). Other than that, it's just Pimp C and Bun B churning out good music. Because of it, this album is a step forward for UGK, as they evade the sophomore slump and show great improvement in the process. Pimp C dramatically improves behind the boards while managing to be even more entertaining in front of the mic, while Bun-B comes to hold his own alongside his blunt and emphatic partner, stealing the show from him on multiple occasions throughout. While Too Hard to Swallow and Ridin Dirty get a lot of love, UGK shows that this album is not to be slept on.
Final Rating: 4.25 Stars
Standout Tracks: Pocket Full of Stones Pt. 2, Stoned Junkee, It's Supposed to Bubble, Feds in Town
I dare you to listen to "It's Supposed to Bubble" and not like it. Seriously.
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