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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2008

Updated:

LUDACRIS: THEATER OF THE MIND (Def Jam) ***

Atlanta rapper Ludacris puts his story-telling ability on display in "Theater of the Mind," his sixth album.

Every track co-starring a fellow emcee takes on a different style and story - the lyrical conversation between L.A. rapper The Game and Phoenix rapper Willie Northpole on "Call up the Homies" details a night on the town when Luda visits their respective cities.

Of course, a Luda album is not complete without songs expressing his infatuation with beautiful women, as shown on the radio hit "What Them Girls Like" featuring Chris Brown and "Contagious" featuring Jamie Foxx.

Download This: "I Do It For Hip-Hop" featuring Nas and Jay-Z

Nick Williams

THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS: DROPPIN' SCIENCE FICTION

(DEFINITIVE JUX) ****

I'll put it like this: you need this album in your collection. Yes, you need this; not want it, need. If you give two cents about real hip hop, the rap-minus-lies kind of hip-hop, then "Droppin' Science Fiction" should be on your list of must-haves.

What's in it for you? Artist collaborations that could only happen when you're Lateef the Truth Speaker, Headnodic and The Gift of Gab - all of whom have paid their emcee dues.

"Science" is relevant rhetoric set to killer beats. It's got the right mix of serious and lightheartedness, just a hint of cocky confidence. Seriously, how do you go wrong with guests MF Doom, Lyrics Born, and the Marley brothers Julian and Damien? You don't.

Download this: "WarWalk"

Sarah Hoye

SECRET MACHINES:

SECRET MACHINES

(TSM) **½

The eponymous title seems especially purposeful. This is a new phase in Secret Machines' history. The trio has parted ways with Warner Bros. after two albums. More crucially, singer-guitarist Ben Curtis left the band, replaced by Phil Karnats (ex-Tripping Daisy).

Understandably, "Secret Machines" is a transitional album. The group's influences - Pink Floyd and The Cure, for example - are far closer to the surface than on earlier releases. It's got some of Machines' most accessible ("Last Believer, Drop Dead") and most trying (the turgid, epic-length "1,000 Seconds") material.

Spotty as it is, "Secret Machines" at least steers the band out of the creative cul-de-sac of 2006's "Ten Silver Drops."

Download this: "Last Believer, Drop Dead"

Curtis Ross

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