Xzibit — Man Vs. Machine

Xzibit hit pay dirt with Restless, his first release under the guidance of Dr. Dre. Why mess with a good thing? Dre is back as executive producer on Man Vs. Machine, ensuring this record is up to his standard. They certainly are — check the Wendy Carlos-inspired "Symphony In X Major" and the electro-bump groove on "Break Yourself" for proof. "Heart of Man" actually manages to bite the melody from Toto’s saccharine hit, "Africa" and still sound respectable.

Too bad that X to the Z ain’t got nothin’ new to say. His prison story on "Release Date" sounds like he’s been looking to C-Murder for lyrical inspiration, and the usual thug tales reign supreme. He even gives the obligatory shout-out to his late Momma, who "taught me the wrong from the right", on "Missin‚ U." I’m sure Momma’s watching proudly from heaven as her baby boy rhymes over songs like "Choke Me, Spank Me (Pull My Hair)."  

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