4/5 Track by track review (excluding interludes):
  by Raneforezt@aol.com (USA)
1. The Watcher (4/5)- It does have some interesting lyrics, and sets up for what will be the mood of the album, however the beat is rather sparse (although it does sound better the more I listen to it), especially coming from Dre.

2. F___ You (4/5)- The production is more vintage Dre, with the slinky synthesizer effect and heavy bassline. While it's a nice track (southern rapper Devin, comes off the best, providing a sloppy, yet tight hook), I can't give it a 5, since by 1999 I've heard one too many generic "I'm a pimp" songs.

3. Still D.R.E. (5/5) This is the best mesh of Dre's old style (apparent in the layered bassline) and his newer style (the pianos and violins instead of the synthesizers). Dre and Snoop both come in full force lyrically, aptly displaying that they never really fell off.

4. Big Ego's (5/5) Another great track, showcasing Dre's great use of piano keys, over a great bassline. Entertaining lyrics from Dre, while Hittman comes of especially nice on this track, overshadowing Dre lyrically (even though he probably wrote Dre's verse too).

5. XXplosive (5/5)- A laid back, acoutstic guitar laced, big pimpin' track, with an extremely tight beat. Dre comes along with Kurupt and Nate Dogg (who's singing goes perfect with the beat), which more than makes up for the tired subject matter. Reminds me of classic Death Row material.

6. What's The Difference (5/5)- An interesting horn laced beat. Dre speaks about his feelings towards MC Ren, DOC, and Eazy-E. Xzibit comes nice with some battle rhymes, but Eminem completely rips the track to shreds. The only problem with this track is that it lacks conception since everyone comes on a different subject, but it's too hot not to get a 5.

7. Light Speed (3.5/5)- 2001 isn't perfect, and songs like this are the reason why. He tries to hard to go for a futuristic spacey sound (it does have a tight 'whistle' though), that ends up sound kinda corny, especially coming from a vet like Dre. Not to mention a corny hook.

8. Forgot About Dre (5/5)- At first I was lukewarm to the idea of Dre doing a 'bounce' beat, but after a few listens, this song is one of the album's best. Dre speaks on how people seem to forget that he helped mold gangsta rap, and he's demanding respect is given where respect is due. As always, Eminem comes correct with a excellet hook and verse.

9. The Next Episode (5/5)- Dre comes with a high energy beat that never fails to get me amped (I can even overlook the fact that he reworks an overused sample). The beat has a futuristic feel to it, without becoming corny like Light Speed. This is the best collab between Dre and Snoop (the energy and chemistry is perfect) since the Doggystyle days. Nate Dogg rounds out the song with a fitting hook/verse.

10. Let's Get High (0/5)- Where can I start? This is a hideously blantant attempt at a club hit. For a moment I even thought I was listening to a Puff Daddy album. This garbage completely mars the album. Horrible. Luckily no other song on 2001 is this bad.

11. B___ N____z (5/5)- A tightly slow track with a slinky, mellow vibe, with some good ol' scratching for the hook (a technique that is underused lately). Like the majority of the album, the lyrics are aimed at the haters, but the guests (Snoop, Hittman Six-Two) keep it fresh. I personally like this one, but it may be too uneventful for some to completely feel.

12. Murder Ink (3/5) Dre reworks the theme song from the horror movie series Halloween. This creates an interestingly dark, frantic vibe, which the emcees don't live up to (Dre doesn't rhyme on this song). The vocal distortion techniuqe is helpful, but the psychotic lyrics sound like a weaker Geto Boys impression. Hitman is pretty good (if unoriginal), but Ms. Roq is lethargic at best, barely coming better than her horrible verse on Let's Get High.

13. Some L.A. N____z (5/5)- Another track in which Dre stay strictly behind the boards, this time bringing in a wide array for west coast's emcees. The results are great, over this extra tight laid back, on-and-off beat. I was hoping for a verse from MC Ren, who only talks, so I'll have to wait for the NWA reuinion.

14. Housewife (4/5) The second time on the album that Dre recycles a song title (The Next Episode being the first). This remake is much better than the original version that appeared on Kuruption!, but it's still not perfect. The beat is similar to the style used on F___ You (but better), and similarly, the subject matter is worn out, especially the tired hook. Still, it gets over by the beat alone.

15. Ackrite (2/5)- Another slip up from Dre, this track that should've never left the studio. The parts of the beat sounds like they were made on a cheap Casio keyboard. Along with some weak lyrics from Hittman, a less than average hook, this song is highly skipable material.

16. Bang Bang (4.5/5)- A more energetic song than on 2001. It also has a catchy, sound effect laced hook. Nothing spectacular lyric-wise, but still a nice joint.

17. The Message (5/5)- The only song that Dre didn't produce (highly underrated east coast producer Lord Finesse handled this one, which sounds a lot different than his usually hardcore beats) The harp/piano sounds nice, although it would fit better on a R&B album. The lyrics are emotional, portraying Dre setting aside all his personas and coming from the heart in a dedication to his deceased brother. While this song doesn't really fit in with the rest of 2001, I can't knock it due the the personal content of the lyrics, which I can definately feel (and is way better and heartfelt than the plethora of dedication tracks that are on wack No Limit albums).

OVERALL: 4/5 Granted that Dre has a few slip ups (including intrusive interludes that could've easily been left out), this is overall, a stellar album. Not quite up to the revolutionary caliber like The Chronic- but a solid album nonetheless. Wheras The Chronic changed the face of west coast rap, 2001 is merely a change of pace for Dre, who's new sound is orignal for him, but in hip hop as a whole it's too similar to a west coast spin on RZA's 'digital orchestra' sound to be completely revolutionary. While Dre used to be one to come with new styles that would revolutionize the west coast, he now seems content with just holding it down, and proving the haters wrong through his logenvity in the game, and in the process, coming with a tight album.

5/5 The Doctor is back in... Another CLASSIC!
  by
This CD was my most anticipated of all time, and it DELIVERS! I have always loved Dre's production style, both on the Chronic album and on all the tracks he's produced between then and now. I've waited years, through rumors and delays, for this album to come out and now that I have it in my possession I can say that Dr. Dre is back in prime form! It's been 7 years since the Chronic, and it was worth the wait for this sequel, 2001. On first listen, every track instantly appealed to me. It has Dr. Dre written all over it. The beats were bangin' and the lyrics were tight. Dre has great chemistry with all the guests on the album, especially Snoop and Eminem.

There are certain clues as to judge whether an album has potential "classic" status: 1) Every time you listen to it, you appreciate the tracks more. 2) You get cravings to hear it often, and 3) You can't get the songs out of your head. Well, this album is all those things and I can see it becoming a definite hip hop classic! It's definitely the best rap album of '99. I would highly recommend it to any hip hop fan, especially if you like Dre's style.

5/5 Nobody really forgot about DRE.
  by J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States)
Before Chronic 2001 came out I was still listening to the orignal "Chronic" and Snoop's "Doggystyle". I think fans were just growing impatient with the release of "The Chronic Pt.2". After listening to this CD you will see that it was worth the wait. Most of the original Death Row Inmates are absent, with the exception of Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Kurupt. Dre, through his music, still finds a way to provide a constant flow throughout the CD. This time around there is Hittman, Eminem, Xzibit, Ms. Roq and 6-2. Although the artists don't pack the punch of the original artists from "The Chronic", Dre's music makes you forget that. The gems are "What's The Difference" w/Eminem and Xzibit, "L.A. Niggaz", "The Next Episode" w/ Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Kurupt,"Forgot About Dre" w/Eminem and "Light Speed" w/Hittman. Overall Dr. Dre has conducted open heart surgery on the rap game. With upcoming releases from Xzibit, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and an N.W.A. Reuninon album in the works (With Snoop Dogg taking Eazy E's place), the doctor will be on call often in the year 2G.

4/5 Great CD!
  by (Las Vegas, NV)
First off, I love the fact that there's 22 tracks. They might not all be good, but in a world of 11 track pop "albums", this one stands out like Eminem's Slim Shady LP before it. I bet most of you guys are gonna buy this for Forgot About DRE, the catchiest piece of Rap since Naughty by Nature's JAMboree and 2PAC's Changes. It's a great song, and if you buy it based on that, you'll be satisfied with the rest. Before I go any further, I have to say that you must enjoy DRE's smooth delivery that accents Eminem's non-stop kiddie voice style to fully enjoy the album. Now, the best songs on this CD, besides FAD, are Still D.R.E., The Watcher, which is dedicated to DRE's baby bro who was killed by gunshot,The Message, and my absolute fav and the likely 3rd single, What's the Difference? Xzibit is somewhat of a find for DRE, because of his rough-voiced yet fluid delivery. There's alotta guestes on the CD, but you always know that DRE's presence is there. One of the best rap releases of 99, still one of the best in 2000.

5/5 Dre silences his critics
  by O-Dogg715 (Compton)
I had hella high expectations of this cd. i thought his first cd was the best hip-hop cd ever produced, and while this one doesn't reach that caliber, it comes damn close. The beats on this album are sick. There are 5 or 6 songs that should be dope singles, about 10 songs that are really good, and a few that are average. but nothing less than that. if you buy one album in the next few months, make this your choice!