Enter a zip code
CD
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | |
| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 13 | |
| 14 | |
Like the film it accompanies -- Wesley Snipes' vampire-slayer sequel -- the soundtrack to Blade II offers a thrill a minute, pairing some of the biggest names in hip-hop with their counterparts in the dance music world. Setting the tone is Marco Beltrami and Danny Saber's instrumental theme, a menacing piece built of electronic rhythms, industrial-inspired guitar breaks, and an insidious melody that suggests a spy film. Fittingly, the rappers featured bring out the edge in the knob-twiddlers. Eve's sharp-tongued rap on "Cowboy" toughens the sound of Fatboy Slim's bouncy track. Ice Cube plays a similar trick on Paul Oakenfold on the testosterone-pumped "Right Here, Right Now" (not to be confused with identically named songs by Fatboy Slim and Jesus Jones), while the Crystal Method's rubbery beats prove a sturdy trampoline for Bubba Sparxxx on "Phdream." The reverse occurs on "I Against I," where Massive Attack's minimalist, nail-biting beats give Mos Def's normally smooth flow a molten edge. On a lighter note, "Gorillaz on my Mind" nicks the bouncy rhythm loop and bits of Damon Albarn's vocal line from the Gorillaz single "19-2000," which makes a surprisingly good background for Redman's smart-aleck rhymes. Those looking for an adrenaline-fueled listen guaranteed to boost the blood pressure and bring goose bumps to the neck should look no further than Blade II. Lydia Vanderloo, Barnes & Noble