single out of this, but apparently they've already released Manslaughter, which doesn't refer to the neutering a minivan does to new fathers.

 

With 14 full-length tracks on this platter, you're getting your money's worth. Starting things off with "Talk Shit, Get Shot," it’s a track that allows Ice-T to strut his full boastful gangsta rap self amidst the thrashiest music this side of coherence.  The engineering and production on this disc is as good as any I've heard - the instruments can be distinguished, and the vocals are clear and coherent.  There's no confusing what exactly Ice-T is hollering on any track.

 

Among the tracks are two separate, but very, very similar versions of Jay-Z’s "99 Problems."  Not having spent any time listening to the original, I don't have a basis for comparison, but Body Count makes this track their own.  (Don't hate me for not being a rap fan or even a Top-40 fan).  I like metal, and sometimes I end up out of the loop on some things.

 

Somewhere between the Dead Milkmen's "Stuart" and Suicidal Tendencies, with a side of NOFX exists "Institutionalized 2014." This spoken-word ditty drags us through some of the more irritating, yet common, interactions many of us suffer on a regular basis, from a wife complaining and quoting Oprah, to the distinct modern hell that is computer technical assistance, to dealing with self-righteous vegans and hippies: "Do you realize how much sugar is in that Kool-Aid?/ Do you realize how much blood is in the human body?/ Do you wanna see it, motherfucker?" is probably the best line in the whole song, and perfectly encapsulates the frustrations this song cathartically deals with.

 

"Bitch in the Pit" is a great little track about the brave and unique women who enjoy the mosh pit, while "Wanna Be A Gangsta" directly addresses suburban white boys who want to be tough little gangstas.  Ice-T's take on this issue is refreshing and heartfelt.  If only the wannabes he's addressing would listen.

If it weren't for the Rock Mix of "99 Problems," the disc would end with "I Will Always Love You," which is decidedly not a romance tune.  "You sometimes don't get the love that you should/ Well, I'm here to give it to you right now" certainly reads like it's about to get graphically sexy but the "you" referred to are America's military and veterans.  Given Ice-T's service, which he refers to in the tune, it's not surprising he's decided to perform this honorific to America's warriors.

 

As I mentioned earlier, I am loving this album.  With definite flavors of Suicidal Tendencies, NOFX, Anthrax, The Offspring and other thrash-punk bands coursing throughout the 14 tunes, there's something here for every metal-head and punk lover who ever heard Papa Roach and said, "this ain't heavy enough."