Nappy Roots

Nappy Roots' debut was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2002. The six Kentucky boys managed to put together a swirling good-time concoction of country, soul, and funk, making a hip-hop hoedown in the process. The single "Awnaw," with producer Jazze Pha's organ stabs and its wailing chorus, was one of the best things on the radio that year, a feel-good song you could actually feel good about liking. Other tracks on the album, such as "Po' Folks," made it one of the more striking debuts to come along in some time.

Wooden Leather is much the same. Despite enlisting the help of top-notch producers like Kanye West and Lil' Jon, the album doesn't have anything on it as magnetic as "Awnaw," and often the unremarkable voices and lyrics of the six different members blend together in undifferentiated songs. (CHRIS RYAN)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide