Drag-On: Opposite Of H2O : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

The Drag-On track "Groundhog Day" is appropriately titled: You get the feeling on much of his debut album that we've been down this road before. When a DMX sample kicks into the song's background, there's no doubt whose footprints the Ruff Ryders crew member is following. Drag does have skills of his own: On the darker songs, his monotone rides stealthily over the album's dismal grooves, casting a morbid spell, and, ironically, when he and DMX actually collaborate, on the invigorating "Get It Right," Drag more than holds his own. Opposite of H2O contains some unbearable skits and a few moronic choruses (on "What's It All About" and "Niggas Die 4 Me"), but Drag's verbal sparks keep the album moving -- on "Spit These Bars," "Pop It" and "Click, Click, Clack," he shows off an especially vicious rhyme flow. Opposite of H2O might not all be fire, but it does hint that Drag-On is just getting warmed up. (RS 839)

PAT CHARLES