Another #1 album for DMX and again an album slightly inconsistent but still featuring some great tunes. As usual the album begins with some good hardcore hip hop, and these are probably stronger than his previous openers with the Grammy nominated 'Who We Be' being a particular favourite, with 'Trina Moe' and 'We Right Here' being dope also. If you've heard his previous albums you should definitely feel a different vibe to the beats which is a welcome change. The second half of the album falls slightly in quality with a more R&B/Pop feel to the middle of the album particularly, but it's all still solid. 'You Could Be Blind' is probably the one really skippable thing here. Best Tracks: Who We Be, Trina Moe, We Right Here, Shorty Was da Bomb, Damien III, A Minute for Your Son.

Perhaps more consistent than some other DMX albums, but at the same time there is less great stuff here. The first three songs are all good bangas without being anything too special. We see DMX going a tad pop for the first time on 'What These Bitches Want', and the bonus track, 'Good Girls, Bad Guys', and we see one of the strongest songs here being a religious track in 'Angel' which I think offers something different than some of the same-same beats we've heard over last couple of albums. Still fairly good though, but lacks that something extra needed to take it to the next level. Best Tracks: One More Road to Cross, Fame, Make a Move, What These Bitches Want, What's My Name?, D-X-L, Angel

DMX waited longer than the average rapper to get a deal, so it's no surprise he had the material to release this only seven months after his debut, but I find this to be his worst album and a huge drop off from his previous album. I'm not sure if it was rushed, but many of the beats are bad, sound cheap and are easily worse than the beats on any of his other albums. Maybe Swizz Beatz, who doesn't have the most consistent production discography, producing most songs here explains it. There are still some great songs worth checking out - 'Bring Your Whole Crew' is classic gangster rap with a dope chorus that will get your adrenaline going, and there is the obvious 'Slippin'', but a good half of these don't have me going back to them. Best Tracks: Bring Your Whole Crew, Slippin', Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood

Earl Simmons is one of the artists who I first heard when I was getting into hip hop. It was 'Where the Hood At' that first gained my attention with its controversial lyrics and gritty style. Since then, he has become one of my favourites, not for his brilliant lyricism or his great discography, which ain't his strengths in the game, but his style and originality. While Year of the Dog...Again doesn't have a huge amount of brilliant tracks, I think having heard his other albums it is one of his most consistent. The only track I'm not really enjoying is 'Come Thru (Move)', and not having skits is a plus also as I felt they didn't help with Grand Champ feeling overfilled. The rest of the tracks are ones I enjoy, particularly 'Lord Give Me a Sign' which I absolutely love and would put up there with D's best like 'Stop Being Greedy', and rank up there with one of my favourite songs of all time. Of all time! A lot of it isn't reaching new ground for DMX, but he is one of those artists that if I enjoy the beats and he's spitting hard, whether talking about f***ing someone up or God, I enjoy listening to him. A lot of this is hard as nails. I don't understand the lukewarm reception from DMX fans. Beats: ★★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Lord Give Me a Sign, Goodbye, I Run Shit, Life Be My Song

Overall, these trap beats are nothing new (I hope hip hop moves on soon) and a number have chorus issues such as: 'Doesn't Matter', 'Only You Can Tell It'-thanks to the chipmunk vocals-and 'Blocka' which is a bit boring as it is. Even the chorus on 'Trust You' is a bit meh.. Elsewhere Harry Fraud's producer tag continues to irritate me as well, but all in all 'Road Runner' is one of the best songs here. I hope that Pusha can get all it all together for the album as I dig his voice, but based on the quality of his mixtapes, I doubt that we will get anything special. 2-2.5 / 5. Best Tracks: Intro, Millions, Road Runner, Re-Up Gang Motivation, Take My Life