USA (United State of Atlanta) [PA]

Performer: Ying Yang Twins
Artist: Three 6 Mafia; Anthony Hamilton; Missy Elliott; Lil Scrappy; Lil Jon; Busta Rhymes
Engineer: Countrie Biggz; Anthony Kilhoffer; Darren Rapp; Courtney Holmes; Michael Watts; Steven Schopp; Joel Mullis; Jesse Tolbert; Wassim Zreik; Michael Sterling; Steve Fisher; Todd Fairall
Producer: George Kranz; Jonathan "Lil' Jon" Smith; Tom Slick; Mr. Collipark
Distributor: TVT Records (Dist.)

Notes: Personnel: Ying Yang Twins; Miranda Lee Kenady (vocals); Craig Love (guitar); Mister Jonz (keyboards); Da Muzicianz, Free, Jacki-O , Adam Levine, Lil Jon, Lil Scrappy, Mike Jones , Missy Elliott, Pitbull, Anthony Hamilton, Avant, B.G., Three 6 Mafia, Teedra Moses, Homebwoi, Countrie Biggz, Anwar, Bun B, Busta Rhymes. Audio Mixers: John Frye; Joel Mullis; Jonathon "Lil' Jon" Smith; Patrick Viala; Ray Seay; Billy Hume; Brian Stanley . Recording information: Casa Grande, Miami, FL; Chopper City Studios, New Orleans, LA; ColliPark Studio, Atlanta, GA; Darkside Entertainment, Miami, FL; D-Roc's Crib, Atlanta, GA; Hoodstyle Recording Studio; Larrabe North Recording Studios, N. Hollywood, CA; Patchwerk Recordings, Atlanta, GA; Stankonia Recording, Atlanta, GA; Studio 7303, Houston, TX; Studio A Recording, Inc., Dearborn Heights, MI; The BAt Cave; The Cutting Room Studios, New York, NY; the Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; The Swishahouse, Houston, TX; The Zone Studios, Norcross, GA. Editor: Joel Mullis. Photographer: Michael Blackwell. The Ying Yang Twins widen their narrow spectrum with USA (United State of Atlanta) by adding Black Eyed Peas and OutKast's attitudes toward albums to their already slick and sleazy party crunk. At 77 minutes and 23 tracks, the sprawling album is weighed down by some filler and redundant numbers, but as a step forward for a party band riding on whatever the Dirty South sound of the moment is, it's surprisingly bold and accomplished. At the time of its release, the sleazy, catchy, and downright gimmicky "Wait (The Whisper Song)" was blowing up on radio, but as another party single from a group that's released a truckload, it doesn't represent the risk-taking attitude of the album. Although a guest shot from Maroon 5's Adam Levine seems like an uninspired attempt at pop crossover, the alterna-singer blends well with the boys on "Live Again," a look inside the life of a stripper that's deep and bleak, not misguided and ridiculous like you'd expect from these former jokesters. Southern regulars like Mike Jones, B.G., Pitbull, and Lil Scrappy all shine here, but the earthy and soulful Anthony Hamilton rises above all others, taking the Twins deep into the world of the Isley Brothers on the sincere and spiritual "Long Time." "Ghetto Classics" is the album's mind-blowing moment, with the duo commenting on African-Americans' role in the military and urban history over a fierce Art of Noise loop. Anchoring all this musical exploration is the usual riding on 24s, bragging about their grills, worshiping booty, and the other hedonistic things that are at the heart of the best Ying Yang tracks. The middle of the album is devoted to freaky sex with "Wait" as the centerpiece, so don't think they're trying to deliver a crunk What's Going On as much as a dirtier Elephunk. They succeed, and had they named the album after "Ghetto Classics" they would have been only slightly overselling it. ~ David Jeffries The Ying Yang Twins' elaborate USA (United State of Atlanta) album gives Swisha House's Michael Watts plenty to work with, and the man does not disappoint. Remixer Watts clues into the album's party atmosphere and keeps things from going over the edge until the fourth quarter. Things are slowed down to a chilled pace for the better part of the album and brittle stutters and mind-altering phasing are employed here and there, but it's only from "Shake" to the end of the album that Watts gets wild with frantic scratches and sounds that melt and ooze out of the speakers. "Shake" itself is the standout track, with Watts having his way with the song's sample of George Kranz's "Din Daa Daa," but his light treatment of "Wait (The Whisper Song)" makes it the runner-up as he lets the quirky number eerily creep along with minor chopping. A well-done and well-paced after-party mix of a party album and another satisfying mix from the reliable Watts. ~ David Jeffries Like Outkast, the Ying Yang Twins are progenitors of southern hip-hop that's a mix of gangsta rap, party jams, and jittery beats, and on UNITED STATE OF ATLANTA the Ying Yang Twins approach the game like a house party thrown in a recording studio. For starters, the wide variety of guests popping up throughout this 70-minute-plus project adds a feeling of randomness, recklessness, and fun. Neo-soul crooner Anthony Hamilton provides some honeyed vocals on the gospel-flavored "Long Time," and Maroon 5's Adam Levine holds his own on the electro-funk of "Live Again," with its nod to the travails of exotic dancers. There's also plenty of support from Dirty South brethren such as Mike Jones & Mr. Collipark (on "Badd"), and tough gal Jacki-O (on the DMX-flavored "Hoes"). The interspersed skits comment on a range of topics: "We at War" touches on the seriousness of America's foreign policy, while things get quite a bit raunchier on bits like "Sex Therapy 101," "102" and "103."

Spin (p.104) - "[They] throw a deliriously twerked, end-of-days house party with swinging Henry Mancini samples..." - Grade: B

Dirty South duo the Ying Yang Twins wallowed in obscurity for some time before the turn-of-the-century Crunk explosion pushed them into the limelight. The duo, with production from Beats-In-Azz, crank out frenetic, hands-in-the-air party jams; their 2005 full-length UNITED STATES OF ATLANTA is nearly a hip-hop epic, featuring guest shots from Anthony Hamilton, Missy Elliot, Bun-B, and Adam Levine of Maroon Five, among many others.

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