Devin The Dude solo albums tend to fall into two
categories: instant classics that immediately announce their all-consuming
awesomeness (2002's Just Tryin' Ta Live, 2007's Waitin' To Inhale) and sleepers that only
reveal the full scope of their greatness after repeat listens, like Devin's
classic 1998 debut The Dude and 2004's To Tha X-Treme. So it's tempting to give
one of rap's most consistent, dependable figures the benefit of the doubt and
assume that his new album, Landing Gear, his first since he parted ways with
longtime home Rap-A-Lot, will improve with time, because on the surface
it's easily Devin's weakest effort.
On previous albums, Devin threatened to give
misogyny, alcoholism, and being constantly stoned a good name. Here, Devin's
sexism isn't leavened with unpredictable wit or infectious anthems. The man who
once boasted that his genitals were so clean, they could be served on a plate
alongside lima beans comes up depressingly short in the one-liner department.
Devin's singsong flow remains hypnotic, and his silky, seductive croon can make
a dis feel like a kiss, but this time, it's in service to forgettable songs
unworthy of his singular talent.