Mystikal - Tarantula

On Mystikal's last effort, Let's Get Ready, his rapid-fire flows and throaty vocal delivery created two chart-busting singles, "Shake Ya Ass" and "Danger," that became a part of the hip-hop canon for 2000. On Tarantula, Mystikal attempts to duplicate those same sounds and energies with mixed results. "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)" comes off sounding like a "Shake Ya Ass, Part 2" with much less bite, despite the lyrical potshots hurled at Osama bin Laden and the Pharrell Williams hook. Likewise, "If It Ain't Live, It Ain't Me" reads like a subpar dance-floor equivalent to "Danger." A large bulk of the tracks here are forgettable because of Mystikal's lyrical and thematic limitations. How many different ways can one rap about chasing skirts and boast about sexual prowess? The oversexed rapper juvenalia on "P***y Crook's" or "That's the S**t" come off sounding lame. The collaborations with Redman and Method Man ("Get It Started") and Juvenile ("Settle the Score")--with the latter track soundly squashing any alleged beefs between the two New Orleans-based MCs' former camps--Master P's old No Limit empire, and Cash Money Millionaires save this release from making a fast entry into the bargain bins. Unlike Let's Get Ready, Tarantula carries all bark and little bite. --Dalton Higgins Amazon.com

This tarantula bites

I've been listening to Mystikal since Mind Of Mystikal up to now and I can say that Let's Get Ready and Ghetto Fabulous was garbage, Tarantula is alright. Bouncin Back wasnt a bad single. Tarantula is another notable cut and so is If It Aint Live It Aint Me. OOOh Yeah has a questionable hook and Big Truck Driver is straight garbage. Redman and Method Man cream Mystikal on I Get It Started and Go Head is a boring track for the ladies. If that wasnt enough he puts his wack crew on a track called Paper Stack which sucks. Bottom Line: Its safe to say that its over for Mystikal especially after a mediocre effort like this. This album has its moments but Mystikal lost the fire that made him great. Standout Tracks: BOUNCIN BACK, TARANTULA, IF IT AINT LIVE IT AINT ME, SETTLE THE SCORE, P**** CROOK, OOOOH YEAH)and SMOKE ONE. February 5, 2007

terrificantula

mystikal's album "tarantula" is great. this album is classic album that should've sold as much as his previous "let's get ready" album. starting off with the hit single "bouncin back", the hot neptunes produced track, kinda jazzy sounding, is a great intro to the album. following that is "if it ain't live", the song that should've bounced the album to platinum status. it's a hot track maan check it out. "settle the score" is history: it features the first ever collabo with a no limit soldier and a cash money boy. juvenile does a great job on the beat here. after that "p%$^y crook" and the next song are very forgettable, not worth being on the album. scott storch drops in for a beat on "alright", the "storching" hot track with mystikal providing good raps. "i get it started", the next track that features meth tical and funk docta spot (red and meth), contains freestyle verses by all parties and a notably hot beat by the infamous rockwilder. check this one out maan. the ensuing track called "paper stack" features a trumpet player in the beat and typical southern drum patterns while sporting mystikal's up and coming rappers from his clique. it's very catchy and has some good raps. finally the album closes with "the return" which is a guitar lick filled number in which mystikal states that he's not through. to wrap things up, this album was pretty darn good and deserved platinum status, but of course the z100 tools determine if it's a good album or not, which they decided that it wasn't. they loved "let's get ready" but paid no mind to this. however, who cares what they think this is a cool album with party clubbin styled beats so cop it whoadie! March 25, 2005

3.5 STARS

This album is pretty good, but not as good as Mystikal's other albums. My favourite track is definitely "Tarantula" Featuring Butch Cassidy. Most of the other tracks aren't anything special though. If you're a big Mystikal fan it's probably worth getting, but don't expect it to be as good as his other albums. January 26, 2005

If there was really a God...

then mystical would be waitin tables at the "Burger Barn" instead of rappin...1 star 4 this s**t, and that's only cuz they make u give everything atleast 1 to save the artist from total humiliation... May 27, 2004

Bring back the old flow

I am a long time Mystikal fan and this cd is only average. I was looking for his old style of flow but this is more dance music than vintage Mystikal. Still a aight cd though. If you are an fan of mystikal like I am then you should purchase this. May 19, 2004

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