With his colleague
Capone
,
Noreaga
released an exciting debut album,
The War Report
, in 1997. Shortly after its release,
was sent to jail, leaving
to fend for himself on the follow-up.
N.O.R.E.
doesn't quite live up to the expectations set by
, mainly because
is absent, but it often hits head-spinning high notes.
lined up an impressive team of guest rappers --
Nas
Mase
Kool G Rap
Cam'ron
Big Punisher
, and
Busta Rhymes
, among others, are all present, and most contribute some great, hard-hitting raps. Still, the whole thing adds up to the less than the sum of its parts. Maybe the thrilling interplay and fresh beats on
raised hopes too high, but
doesn't transcend expectations like you may anticipate. Instead, it simply delivers the goods. That does make for some great listening, but it's hard not to think that
is capable of greatness, not just merely good work. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine