01.) “Intro” (feat. Old LeRoy and Nelson Brown) Produced by Knoc-Turn’Al
02.) “War” (feat. Slip Capone) (4.2 out of 5) Produced by Blaq Rose, Knoc-Turn’Al and Padrone
I’m not too sure if a politically-driven track was the best way to kick-off Knoc’s debut album. But never-the-less… It bangs. Knoc-Turn’Al and fellow L.A. Confidential MC Slip Capone trade dope verses over a suprisingly bangin’ instrumental courtesy of Blaq Rose, Knoc-Turn’Al and Padrone.
03.) “Love L.A.” (4 out of 5) Produced by Hannon
Knoc-Turn’Al spits a few nice verses over a very nice production courtesy of new-comer Hannon. I’m very impressed with the production of this track. Knoc-Turn’Al has done the Golden State justice with this one. It’s simple… Yet effective.
04.) “The Way I Am” (feat. Snoop Dogg) (4.8 out of 5) Produced by Scott Storch
The albums title-track features a couple hot verses from Knoc and a rather impressive verse courtesy of West Coast legend Snoop Dogg. The production of Scott Storch is on another level on this track. This was a great choice for the lead single. I’m still suprised that this track didn’t recieve a better reception from radio.
05.) “Watch Out” (feat. Hittman) (3 out of 5) Produced by Mel-Man
This is the skipper-track of the first-half of the album. The production of this track sounds especially dated. Eventhough Hittman comes-through with two nice verses it’s still very hard to ignore Mel-Man’s rather annoying instrumental. I’m even annoyed by the hook on this one.
06.) “Radio” (interlude) (feat. Old LeRoy and Nelson Brown) Produced by Knoc-Turn’Al
07.) “Peepin’ Tom” (3.8 out of 5) Produced by Precision
This is the type of lyricism I’ve been expecting from Knoc-Turn’Al. Knoc-Turn’Al manages to weave together various classic punch-lines from various West Coast classics to create his own classic LYRICAL performance. What taints “Peepin’ Tom” is the rather simple production of Precision. Needless-to-say… this track could have been a lot better had Knoc-Turn’Al recruited the proper producer for this track. It’s still well-worth the listen. The perfect word to describe the lyrical performance on this track is… BRILLIANT!
08.) “Click-Click” (feat. Slip Capone and Yykkes) (3.5 out of 5) Produced by Padrone
This may be the first time I’ve ever been dissapointed with a verse from Slip Capone. Knoc-Turn’Al seems to be MILES ahead of his L.A. Confidential counter-parts on this track. If you ask me… “Click-Click” would have been just fine as a Knoc-Turn’Al solo cut. Eventhough the theme of the record is becoming rather played-out in today’s Hip-Hop scene.
09.) “Love Slave” (4.8 out of 5) Produced by DJ Quik
DJ Quik LACES Knoc-Turn’Al with this outstanding production. It doesn’t get much better than a dope production courtesy of the legendary DJ Quik. Knoc-Turn’Al proves that he’s worthy of rhyming over such an outstanding production with his outstanding lyrical performance. I’m sure that in a matter of week’s I’ll re-read this track breakdown and be pissed-off when I realize that I didn’t give this track a “5”. “Love Slave” is clearly the albums stand-out track.
10.) “What We Do” (feat. Nate Dogg, Warren G and Xzibit) (4.2 out of 5) Produced by Warren G
The bass-driven production of Warren G is rather simple on this track. I’m feelin’ it though. The timing to put-out this track is almost perfect with summer coming right around the corner. Knoc-Turn’Al drops the hottest verse on “What We Do”. I must say that I’m pretty dissapointed with the lyrical performance of Xzibit on this track… never thought I’d be saying that.
11.) “I Like” (feat. Yero Brock) (4 out of 5) Produced by Dr. Dre
Knoc-Turn’Al rides the rather average production of Dr. Dre damn-near perfectly. Knoc-Turn’Al did his part on this track by dropping a couple outstanding verses… it’s just too bad that Dr. Dre didn’t match the lyrical performance with the production