Juvenile’s Album Enjoys Chemistry of Collaboration

** 1/2 JUVENILE

“Tha G Code Live by It Die by It”

Cash Money/Universal

There’s nothing as innovative as “Ha” or as catchy as “Back That Thang Up”--two of the standout cuts from Juvenile’s 3 million-selling “400 Degreez” album--on the husky-voiced rapper’s new album (due in stores Tuesday). But the pulsating grooves and lively vocal exchanges between Juvenile and his labelmates make it a strong follow-up.

The New Orleans rapper serves up the familiar subject matter of hyperbolic boasting and no-nonsense street narratives. One of the album’s selling points is the chemistry between Juvenile and fellow Cash Money rappers, including B.G., Lil Wayne and Turk, who seamlessly piggyback one another’s vocals.

“U Understand,” the first single from the album, attempts to revive the catchy, line-ending repetition that made “Ha” an underground anthem, but the song comes off as a formulaic disappointment. Producer Mannie Fresh contributes another pleasing batch of beats, but his work on previous albums from Juvenile, B.G. and Big Tymers was more experimental and exciting. Nonetheless, Fresh’s deft mix of horns, bluesy guitars and rapid-fire drums provides plenty of enjoyable, up-tempo grooves.

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