Perhaps Big Punisher's Loud/RCA debut Capital Punishment isn't the hip hop classic the likes of the Baka Boyz claim, but it certainly is an incredibly solid album with a high level of craftsmanship, talent and cojones grandes, papi.

Much like his Marvel Comics namesake Frank Castle, Big Pun is at his best with all barrels firing, bullets lacing the air like embroidery on grandmama's quilt. From the haunting harbinger "Beware" to the painful "Dream Shatterer," Punisher could give Method some lessons on bringing the pain. Guest appearances make this all the zhiggier, with Wyclef heating up "Caribbean Connection" (even though he bit Xzibit on his opening line), Black Thought on "Super Lyrical," Punisher's patron Fat Joe joining him on "Glamour Life," Mobb Deep's Prodigy (not the SCC one) and Rebel INS popping up on "Tres Leches," Noreaga on "You Came Up" and Busta Rhymes on "Parental Discretion." Gorgeously lush piano lines and sweeping NYC ghetto strings serve as backgrounds for Pun's delivery, which can only be called "rapid fire" (owing props to Kane, admittedly).

As phenomenal as this album is, the clear work of a man who has studied the industry to understand what works and how to rip it. There are way too many interludes, and the idea of Punisher's 350+ pounds engaged in the sloppy sounding sex of the "Taster's Choice" interlude is just plain nasty. As well, the tedious "Pakinamac" interludes could have stayed home -- when lyrically bustin' caps at his level, killing off your kindred can be somewhat accepted, but this takes it too far.

Overall, this is worth it even if it's not on sale -- Punisher puts it down on one of the year's hottest albums, even with the extra baggage that keeps this from being a classic.