"I like this world ..."

In his sophomore album, the Ticallian Stallion and all around Shaolin Island master of pseudonyms often known as Method Man, in the same breath justifies the end of the world and laments its loss. The world is an evil place, filled with guns and crime and drugs and corruption ...

But he likes this world.

The dichotomy there is the same as the dichotomy as an artist. Between hot and gritty street stories like "Dangerous Grounds" or "Killin' Fields" Method intersperses telephone messages from Janet Jackson and -- no joke -- Donald Trump. Can someone be the ruggedest, meanest, hardest killer on the streets and still be cozy with The Donald and Miss Jackson, bumpin' Soundgarden out his ride? It's a question that mirrors the question about the world, and Method solemnly believes the answer is yes.

Not that it matters, Y2k and all.

Back to the music, this album shows growth from the lackluster debut, Tical, with more solid songs of good material. The catchy but oddly reminiscent single, "Judgement Day" is already Johnny Blazing video and music charts, even though if you pay attention you can hum the "wu-uuuuu" line running through "Bring the Pain." Lyrically it's very different, but production wise it could be the same song.

Then again you get "Retro Godfather," a 70s take off that borders on brilliance, mocking all the players by outplaying them. Or maybe D'Angelo, crooning sweetly and talking about an ex who wants it but just can't have it on "Break Ups 2 Make Ups." The traditional Redman duet, "Big Dogs" is a fun break in the energy as always, and resurrects the question, "when will these two do an album?"

There are slow moments -- "Suspect Chin Music" drags a bit, "Sweet Love" is a fast forward classic (Method intricately describing his sexual behavior ... ewwwww) -- but overall this is a great album with a ton of songs that's easy to leave in the CD player or walkman on heavy personal rotation.

Method may be getting weirder -- Arthurian knight armor and sword, a safety pin through one eyebrow, and so on -- but check the smile, check the steez, even check skits like "You Play Too Much" with Chris Rock, who (vainly) tries to catalogue all of Method's numerous aliases ("aka Johnny Blaze aka The Iron Lung, aka Mr. Kincaid, aka Mr. Weatherbee, aka Mr. Hankie, aka Mr. Tibbs, aka Marla Gibbs, aka the Kid Dynamite, aka Grandma Dynamite, aka Donny Brasco, aka Donny Most, aka Donny Osmond, aka ..."), to which Method responds by shooting, releasing hounds, releasing dolphins, using a flamethrower, and other nefarious "methods" of getting Chris to stop so he can get on with the show. Method knows how ridiculous it can seem, but he also knows how fly. Banking on duality, the original John Blaze keeps it hot all the way ...

... here's hoping he bought a Mac, so he can keep on keepin' on past Y2K!