Z-ro METH

Audio Mixer: Marq Moody.
Recording information: King Of The Ghetto Studio, Houston, TX; The Cold Chamber, Tomball, TX.
Photographer: Brandon Holley.
The titles to Z-Ro's "drug series" of albums (Crack, Heroin, etc.) have been arbitrary, but if they weren't, Meth would certainly be "Weed," as it is laid-back and tends to wander. "Real or Fake" is a catchy radio number, "Never Had Love" comes with a convincingly stone-cold heart, and "H-Town Kinda Day" bounces with that syrup sippin', candy-paint style you'd expect from a Texas thug party. All are worthwhile on their own, but compare this collection to his breakthrough effort Let the Truth Be Told and it barely hangs together. Put it on shuffle and the results are the same, yet the man has lost none of his mellow appeal, and all these tales of street superiority float across the room like the dankest of exhales. Add a Bun B team-up that's simple and effective right up to its title, and you've got a satisfying Z-Ro effort that's just a tad scattered. ~ David Jeffries

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop