Stoned Raiders

Japanese version featuring a bonus track

Thoroughly blunted multiracial West Coast pioneers Cypress Hill transformed hip-hop with their eponymous debut album. Now Stoned Raiders, their sixth, looks back on past achievements and clocks up a string of new ones. The metal-powered "Trouble" takes off where their "Rock Superstar" single left off and fixes a mood of embattled reflection aligned to tough determination. "Lowrider" uses an acoustic flamenco guitar to underline the droopy-lidded, easy-rolling side of the band and "Kronologik" tells the story of the group's career and struggles with the help of guest Kurupt. Additional special appearances by Redman, Method Man, and Kokane prove an excellent foil for B Real's patented cartoon style. Throughout they are kept on course by DJ Muggs, still one of the most distinctive studio overlords. His skills are particularly evident counterpointing the anguished lyrics of "Bitter" with multilayered siren voices and waves of dream rock guitar on the luminous percussion of "Memories" and the eerie but impassioned, weed-endorsing "L.I.F.E." They may be fighting their own personal star wars, but the stoned raiders are still winning the battle. --Gavin Martin