Benzino - Arch Nemesis flac album

It is nothing sort of amazing that Benzino, with two failed solo albums and even more failed group-stuff actually got to release a third album. Who keeps getting this guy record deals? Oh, riiight... Well kids, it seems that this time even Dave couldn't get Ray signed so in stead he gave him his own indepenent vanity label ZNO Records(which didn't last beyond this album).The production alone manages to make three different nameless R&B-singers and also a few completely generic rappers sound good while still being a credible quality hihop release. From BENZINO? What!? Yeah, the guy doesn't really have a good rep but if you are out for good music, not realness or credibility or some other nonsensical reason for people to convince themselves that they should buy Tony Yayo's album, then you'll find plenty to like on here.Ray himself isn't seen as a good rapper by anyone other than his mother and Dave Mays, what saves this album from sucking Donkey dick? Well, for starters he has great beats. This album was mostly done by the Hangmen 3 who give anyone nostalgic for the mid '90s east coast hiphop-sound exactly what they want. The other contributors Reefa, L.E.S., Scott Stortch, Lil' Jon, the Streetrunners among others bring some welcome varyity. Secondly, Zino knows which beat matches which song. Thirdly, most if not all guest appearances are on point. Finally, Ray may not be a very good rhyme creator but he has an interesting delivery. He doesn't say shit of importance but still he doesn't embarrass over a good instrumental.Songs like the violin driven, Scarface featuring "What's Really Good" wouldn't have been out of place on classic '90s releases like "Reasonable Doubt", "Ready To Die" or "Illmatic". Club bangers like "Bottles 'N' Up" and "Noche de Estrellas" are guaranteed to rock the party. R&B styled tracks like "Wide Body" and "Not Me" are sensual and melodic. "That's HOw It Goes" and "Killa" are threatning and G'd up. All of this leads to a surprisingly varied entertaining album that somehow not only works on a song to song base but also as a collection. The biggest surprise is however the mournful 2pac featuring "Trying to Make It Through". Now you could make the obvious conclusion that Zino used his connections to buy the 2pac verse but when you check out the original version from '94 on youtube you'll find that it was actually recorded by 2pac and Benzino and also Freddie Foxxx who is featured.Sure there are some sucky songs on here as well. "Look Into My Eyes" is a self important song. It also doesn't help that it says "Response to Eminem's Toy Soldiers" on the back of the album and the video is a rather crappy continuation of that Em's vid. "Front Back (Side To Side)" is a stupid club banger and "Last Days Calling", well, I don't want to ever hear that shitstorm again.But the good certainly outweighs the bad here. All of it is listenable, The majority is good and some of it is fucking awesome. Once again, a Benzino album earned a lead plaque but this sure beats a lot of main stream bullshit music that's getting released in 2010 (Soulja Boy, I see you...). Should you find this anywhere for cheap then buy this fucker.Rating: 8 outta 10Best tracks: "What's Really Good", "Tryin' To Make It Through", "Not Me"