Track Listing

1. A Special Joint (Intro) - Marc Berto, Method Man, R. Noble, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
2. Blackout - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Tommy Uzzo, Redman
3. Mi Casa - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
4. Y.O.U. - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
5. 4 Seasons - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman, LL Cool J, Ja Rule
6. Cereal Killer - Method Man, Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, RZA, Tommy Uzzo, Redman
7. Da Rockwilder - Method Man, Rockwilder, Tommy Uzzo, Redman
8. Tear It Off - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Tommy Uzzo, Redman
9. Where We At (Skit) - Method Man, R. Noble, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
10. 1, 2, 1, 2 - D.J. Scratch, Method Man, Tommy Uzzo, Redman
11. Maaad Crew - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
12. Run 4 Cover - Method Man, Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, RZA, Tommy Uzzo, Redman, Ghostface, Street, Dennis Coles
13. The ? - Method Man, R. Noble, Redman, Tommy Uzzo, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
14. Dat's Dat Shit - Mathematics, Method Man, Tommy Uzzo, Redman, Mally G, Jamal
15. Cheka - Gov Mattic, Method Man, Redman, Tommy Uzzo
16. Fire Ina Hole - Mathematics, Method Man, Redman
17. We All Rite Cha - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman
18. Big Dogs - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Redman
19. How High - Erick Sermon, Method Man, Troy Hightower, Redman

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12663 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 71 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Blackout is a welcome joint effort (in more than one sense) from two of hip-hop's most entertaining, popular personalities: "two boys possessed by dough, hos and hydros", rap's self-proclaimed Cheech and Chong; Mans Method and Red. As one would expect from an album produced by ex-EPMD man Erick Sermon, many of the tracks tend towards the soporific; it can often be difficult to spot the tune amongst the tub-thumping beats and murky backgrounds. In these instances the distinct voices of our hosts more than compensate, and elsewhere Blackout covers a surprising variety of aural styles; meandering from the stadium-rocking title track to the infectious and irresistible ("Checka" and "Tear It Off") and the inevitably spliffed-out ("Mi Casa" and "The?") via the quickly forgotten and ridiculous ("Fire ina Hole" and "Cereal Killer"). Meth fans might feel a little short-changed by the fact that one of these standouts, "Big Dogs", appeared previously on Tical 2000: Judgement Day, but the whole affair is carried off with such humour, character and deftness of touch that they're unlikely to care. --Paul Philpott

CD Description
One of the most interesting things about this collaborationbetween two of hip-hop's heaviest hitters is how little it relies on traditional hip-hop rhythms. Rather, most of the songs on BLACKOUT employ rhythms based on funk and dancehall reggae, giving the album a freshness that sets it apart fromthe hip-hop pack. Method Man and Redman have nothing if nota talent for drama, going so far as to back up their statements of gangsta superiority and sexual prowess with the sound of exploding bombs on "Fire in Da Hole".
The pair eschews the use of elaborate arrangements and overt samples so as to focus the tracks on their own forceful, dynamic delivery. Most importantly, Method Man and Redman don't appear to be in a contest to see who can rap the fastest. Their pace isdeliberate enough to ensure that their message is received,and their style is expansive enough to include vocal flourishes that play off the aforementioned dancehall rhythmic touches.

Customer Reviews

Two styles mix together for a killer blow.
There are many double acts that will be remembered in Hip-hop for a long time as two different rap styles which just connect together to create a unique sound - Raekwon & Ghostface Killah; Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg; Eric B & Rakim; and finally, Method Man & Redman.

The duo mix together two totally different rappers - Redman uses a funkier sound and has a squeakier voice, a rap style that is almost sickly - too much of it can ruin the whole experience. Therefore, this album is probably the best way to enjoy Redman's talents. He does a lot of rapping, but his sickliness is balanced out by his partner in crime.
Method Man contrasts Redman's funky style, as Meth's solo albums feature bleak, almost uncomfortable beats but a killer flow that leaves the listener in admiration and not caring that his beats are quite hard to listen to. Meth's voice is also a massive contrast on Redman's, Meth having a deep, rugged yet somehow quite smooth voice.
The two styles compliment each other perfectly - so you should expect nothing but the best from Blackout.

The album is gently introduced with an introduction which shows what Red & Meth have in common with other rappers - they like smoking a certain substance. This intro leads nicely into what will be possibly the song that has the most initial appeal on the whole album.

That song being Blackout. Featuring a catchy tune that you'll be humming afterwards, this song almost deserves praise for that alone. And the lyrics, like most of this song, have initial appeal - long flows with several words all using the same rhyming sound make this very easy on the ear. However, the song is shallow: firstly, the beat is relentless throughout the whole song, so whilst it's catchy you will tire of it eventually. Also, while the lyrics are good, there's no hidden meaning or purpose - in fact they make very little sense, it's almost like an audio version of the rhyming dictionary. This song will be the one you play over and over when you buy this album - and the one you 'grow out of' as you progress onto the rest of the album.

Mi Casa has a nice beat to it, as does Y.O.U., but both songs lack any major appeal.
However, they do lead nicely into 4 Seasons. Featuring a fairly good performance from LL Cool J, and also featuring Ja Rule for comedy value, this song features the 4 rappers, all acting best of friends, letting off with some lyricals over the comfortable beat. It's a pleasant song - just remember to skip onto the next song when a certain grustly Murder Inc. emcee steps in. Don't be put off by Ja Rule's appearance though - it's a subtle diss. For in 'The ?', there is one line in particular which could well be a hidden attack on Mr. Anti-50 Cent himself -
'Jar all these fake n----s'.
A mere coincidence in the likeness? Hear it for yourself, how Meth says it, before passing judgement.

Moving on swiftly, possibly the best song on the album, the felonous 'Cereal Killer', which talks about, well killing. It also features some of the most memorable verses from the whole album, as each lyrical has many hidden touches and excellent lyrics.

Da Rockwilder kicks off with some very nice starts to both Meth & Red's lyricals, and when both lyricals start to fade off, they do the honourable thing - they stop. It's a nice song with well planned lyricals, if the song is, however, a little on the short side.

Tear It Off is a pretty mundane song, but after it comes the undoubtedly funny skit, 'Where We At?'. It's catchy, memorable, and if your white skinned make sure to take your sense of humour with you when you put this song on.

The album seems to lean more towards the Eric Sermon side of the producing from here on, with most songs being quite funky, it almost seems as if the mighty Rza was pushed to the side for the majority of this, with only 'Run for Cover' and the bonus tracks featuring a drop from the Redman style. Still, it's no bad thing - it's a nice change to hear a Method Man song you could get up and dance to if you really wanted.

Highlights for this latter half - the aformentionted 'The ?' features some good lyrics, and is the one song on this album that may be leaning towards the diss song style that many rappers have adopted when taking shots at whoever or whatever they feel. See if you can spot what Red & Meth are trying to have a go at.

Cheka is a song that will be music to Redman fans ears, as it is one of the most upbeat songs in Hip-hop. It features yet more great lyrics, especially a comedy one towards the start of Meth's lyrcial.

Fire Ina Hole is also quite good, and How High will appeal to a select few fans, mainly those who saw the films.

Overall, this is a great album,half of it leaning towards Meth's stlye and half towards Red's. It's certainly great seeing the two accompanying each other on their opposing style tracks - and as I said before, there's few duos who can match up to Method Man & Redman.

You have to get this!
I bought this album back in february of 2001 and it is still one of my fauvorites. It hasn't bored me at any time and thats quite good after nearly a year. Standout tracks are "Mi Casa", "YOU", "Da Rockwilder", "Tear It Off","Big Dogs" and "Well All Rite Cha". If you're a big hardcore hiphop fan and u aint got this yet. GO GET IT NOW!!!!!!!

BACK AND FORTH WITH RED AND METH
This is one of the greatest Hip-hop albums of all times.
I'll keep my review short as the great review before this said pretty much everything.
No one has the lyrical skill and humour of Meth (Not Marshall, not Nas, not anyone).
And no-one does that grimey street sound like Red.
And when they come together, Oh gosh.
This Album has stayed on rotation with me for years. I still listen now and it gets me fired up.
There's humour, grit, grime and unique flavour here in abundance.
This albums is a MUST-HAVE for all hip-hop fans. even in 2007
This album is CLASSIC