CD Review: Xzibit, "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (Sony)

On "Weapons of Mass Destruction," hard-nosed West Coast rapper Xzibit rails against the war in Iraq, his gangsta enemies, and a whole host of other annoyances, including women and weaklings.

That the rapper does so without much finesse or wit only serves to divert from the otherwise deep rhythms and brash beats to be found on this, Xzibit's fifth album.

Employing a flow that is intense, angry, dark and jaded, Xzibit rarely sounds likeable. And, in spite of the rage, he's hardly ever captivating--or clever. Instead, everything is on the surface, the rapper feeding into the most stereotypical gangsta rap cliches.

All is not lost with "Weapons of Mass Destruction," however, as each track offers a smooth hook, often well crafted and cradled in lively arrangements. Over-produced? What hip-hop album isn't? Still, the music behind X's raps--as evidenced by the wondrous piano and harmonies on "Judgment Day," for example--provide something of a mass distraction from all those cliches.