id anyone fall off more than Snoop Dogg? He performed the rarest of rare feats, producing a classic album on his first try, the much loved and respected Doggystyle. After that, he was not quite as successful, with five consecutive sub-par albums. What was his problem -- drugs, alcohol, fame? All of the above? Only the Top Dogg knows, and he isn’t telling. He does, however, seem reinvigorated on his latest work, Paid The Cost to be the Boss. Is it because he has claimed to have stopped smoking and drinking? Quite possibly. What is known is that none of that matters, as an artist is only judged by his latest work. This is why despite his fantastic first album, we never expect anything for this latest CD. And that’s why most fans will be pleasantly surprised.


Although his lyrics on Doggystyle were impressive, Snoop was always more a master of putting the words together, or flow, than he was of choosing the right ones. On Paid the Cost, this appears to have changed. This first became clear on the debut of Snoop’s first single, “From the Chuuuch to the Palace”, where Snoop’s wit subtly shows itself as he delivers lines like “You can roll up on a G but that’s not thinking wisely / These bullets are contagious just like Ron Isley”. While Snoop’s metaphors and similies will never be confused with, say, Pharoahe Monch, he seems to be at a level moderately above his previous best, at least in this instance. In addition, we’re lucky to see Snoop’s softer side. Somewhat. For example, a song like “I Miss That Bitch” (it’s just what you’d think) shows the introspection, kindness and contradiction that helps make up one Mr. Calvin Broadus. Even more sickly sweet is “I Believe in You”, backed by Dogghouse member (Snoop’s record label) Latoiya Williams. It’s a Snoop first: a complete, balls-out love song. Is he getting soft? No, he’s just maturing, maybe a bit late, and getting less and less afraid to show his talent and feelings.


Of course, as far as production goes, it would be nearly impossible to top Doggystyle. However, Paid the Cost tries as hard as it can. In addition to the Neptunes (“Beautiful” and “From the Chuuuch to the Palace”), Just Blaze (“Lollipop”) and DJ Premier (“The One and Only”) make appearances. Even Fredwreck is at the top of his game on “From Long Beach 2 Brick City”, featuring a fantastic Redman guest appearance (has he ever made a bad one?). Plus, Snoop remembers his roots and channels Parliament on “Stoplight”, the opening track after two extended skits. As great as Doggystyle was, it was very cohesive as a single producer was the driving force. Paid the Cost is a different beast, due to the large amount of collaboration that has taken place here, including guests that you wouldn’t expect on a Snoop album. Ten years ago, if you picked up a Snoop album, all you heard were Death Row Inmates. Five years ago, No Limit Soldiers. Now, you can get Redman, Jay-Z and Ludacris. It even has a flute loop on “Lollipop”, along with songs full of funk. East coast funk that is. Maybe it is a kinder, gentler Snoop Dogg we’re dealing with here.


Although the album is about halfway to classic, two tracks stand out. The first single, “From the Chuuuch to the Palace”, produced by the Neptunes, is amazing. The hard, main electric guitar mixes perfectly with the classic Neptunes bounce to produce a strange amalgam that sounds faintly like west-coast funk. It also serves to set a certain ambience for the sharp lyrics. Memorable for a different reason is the wild “Batman and Robin”, featuring the reinvigorated Lady of Rage as Robin and RBX in a crazy, fantastic role as the Commissioner, featuring great rhymes as “Holy mackerel Batman! I think these clowns need a backhand \ Let's be the Gap Band and drop the bomb on 'em and make 'em SCAT man”. The production is unforgettable, featuring a slight reinterpretation of the Batman theme song, surely a testament to his new found energy and imaginative compared to his work after Doggystyle.


Who would have predicted after five lackluster albums from his first one, Snoop Dogg would have it back? People said after The Doggfather, the Snoop would be invigorated by his No Limit debut. They said after The Game is to be Sold that it was just a bit of getting used to the No Limit production. They said after Top Dogg that The Last Meal would be great because it was his last before he gets to own his own record label, and he’d wanted to have as much momentum as possible. But finally, Snoop is back. And I couldn’t be happier.