Bizarre Albums (2)
'Blue Cheese 'N' Coney Island'
Release Date 10/9/2007
Tracks 16
Label KR Urban
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
There's a ying/yang thing to the cover of Bizarre's Blue Cheese 'N' Coney Island, one that seems to say, "I may be the shower cap-wearing weird sicko of the overall humorous crew D12, but I also have my serious side." The album itself isn't so half-and-half, but with Bizarre delivering successful, meaningful tracks like "So Hard" along with his usual gross-out material, the rapper demands and deserves reconsideration, even if he hasn't gone through a total reinvention. Since 2005's Hannicap Circus, Bizarre starred in the reality television series Celebrity Fit Club and lost his D12 brother Proof to a senseless shooting. Neither of these two extremes have changed what Bizarre will put into a rhyme, and for better or worse, Blue Cheese has heaping helpings of cocaine talk, gunplay, and ideas so sick and disgusting, they make big bossman Eminem look rather pleasant. Still, if you can stomach it, the payoff is some hilarious pining for a homeless girlfriend ("She's Homeless"), a funky weed song of which George Clinton would approve ("G-14"), and a truly great club track that tops D12's "Purple Pills" ("Fat Boy"). The track list may be long, but the filler is minimal, something helped along by the big guest list including Kuniva, Tech N9ne, and most importantly King Gordy. The chemistry between Bizarre and Gordy benefits from years together on the Detroit grind, and everything else benefits from Bizarre's maturing skills. While any form of the word "mature" probably shouldn't come in close contact with the rapper, Blue Cheese shows significant growth and big-league talent. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The shower cap-wearing freak from D12 won't change the world with his first proper solo album, but Hannicap Circus is solid, filthy, fun, and everything else that you'd want from a less nimble Kool Keith. Bizarre shares Keith's love of sleaze and weirdness, but Bizarre is more earthbound and ghetto enough that you'd never confuse the two. His trashy attitude makes him more Insane Clown Posse than any other Shadyville artist, but his street clout is real and ICP never had beats so good. Eminem himself is behind the album's party highlight, "Rockstar," an equally infectious and herky-jerky sequel to D12's "My Band." Cool production tricks sweeten Bizarre's cool rambling on "Let the Record Skip," and Devin the Dude's appearance on "Porno Bitches" should put the Stevie Wonder-feelin' track on that "feelin' freaky good" mixtape you're gonna make. With an artist like Bizarre, skits are half the fun. There are plenty of them, almost as many as there are Detroit references, and every Eminem/Shadyville fanboy appreciates these shout-outs from the yard. In that world, Bizarre's debut places above a solo album from the member of G-Unit you don't care about, and slightly below the best Green Lantern mixtapes. Much higher if you consider proudly fat, very funny, and freakishly offensive rappers lovable, which in this case, you should. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
