Wayne's new world: A track-by-track breakdown of Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth'

Since the release of the single "Prom Queen" one year ago, speculation has run rampant about "Rebirth," the follow-up to Lil Wayne's multi-platinum smash, "Tha Carter III."

Reported to be Wayne's bid for rock credibility, the album has endured multiple delays, several non-starting singles and a months-early leak. Early reviews have been withering, with the album currently boasting the single lowest score on critical aggregator Metacritic. But can it really be that bad?

Is that the only way to explain why Universal would repeatedly postpone an album from one of its biggest cash cows? Can Lil Wayne really play the guitar or is this is an archetypal example of a self-indulgent and mollycoddled superstar? Is the song "The Price Is Wrong" an attack on Drew Carey? Let's find out.

1.  "American Star" featuring Shanell

Talk about telegraphing your intentions. Wayne opens "Rebirth" with a trash-rock guitar solo that would seem bombastic on an Iron Maiden album. He yells "bridge!" before the song's bridge kicks in. In the first 30 seconds, he brags that he's "born in the USA," warbles wobbly Auto-Tuned vocals and claims that he lives in six-story houses, while Shanell's hook claims she's "riding with the dope boy." Finally, we have a hair-metal album to match the ozone-killing excess that has passed for major-label hip-hop over the last few years. Unfortunately, Wayne's effort lacks the (slightly) self-aware humor and joyous buffoonery of Mötley Crüe or Poison.

2. "Prom Queen" featuring Shanell

This much-maligned first single dropped off the charts almost instantly. Over crunchy guitars and thunder-god drums, Wayne lets loose a frog-like rasp worse than Kirk Van Houten. Wayne's idea of rock seems to be a hybrid of emo, grunge and late-'90s rap-rock with melodramatic and insipid lyrics about how much he loves the prom queen's "fancy underwear." "Prom Queen" unintentionally indicts the slick trickery of modern-rock studio production: it's glutted with overdubs, ham-fisted studio axemen and voice correction.

3. "Ground Zero"

Produced by Patrick Stump, the cherubic trucker-hat-clad lead singer of Fall Out Boy, "Ground Zero" commences with a riff instantly catchier than anything on the previous tracks, but once the 45-second opening ends, it goes downhill. Wayne refers to himself as the "Rock 'n' Roll Jesus," which might mark the first time that anyone has ever stolen something from Kid Rock. At one point, he claims he's going to have sex with you like a "bull," which I will pretend is a reference to Greek mythology. 

4. "Da Da Da"

It's the first time Wayne raps on the album, but he delivers a mailed-in verse that pales in comparison to anything he kicked on the free "No Ceilings" mixtape. Although, to be fair, he does deserve credit for the first usage of "Tenderoni" in a rap song since the days of new Jack swing. At one point, the song boasts monkey sounds, and Wayne also says, "Let me beam you up like Scotty," declares, "I'm your Kevin Costner" and asks says, "Give me that monkey, that funky monkey." This song sounds like the unholy hybrid of Morris Day and the Time and Panic at the Disco.

5. "Paradice"

Opening with a sub-Nirvana guitar riff, "Paradice" quickly detonates into an "American Idol"-type ballad with lyrics that channel Guns N' Roses. It's become clear that "Rebirth" is a Frankenstein's monster of an album with grafted parts sewn on by someone whose musical repertoire is limited to System of a Down, Fall Out Boy and Creed. Suddenly, Wayne has never met a cliché he couldn't employ, with hooks that read "the sun don't shine forever and everything that glitter ain't gold."

6. "Get a Life"

Crushing my hopes, this song is not about the short-lived Fox vehicle starring Chris Elliot as a goofball paperboy. The lyrics tell haters to "get a life" and repeats Wayne's mantra of getting money and women.

7. "On Fire" 

An attempt at synth rock (with a hard-rock twist, naturally). The girl of Wayne's affections is both "creamy and dreamy" and, according to the repeated refrain, "she's on fire."

8. "Drop The World" featuring Eminem

Thanks to a bravura guest spot from Eminem, this is the album's lone redeeming track. Wayne kicks drugged-out rambles about leaving Earth on a spaceship and claims he's going to "pick up the world and drop it on your head." Continuing his recent hot streak, Eminem delivers scorched-earth raps that make Wayne look like an impostor. What's most frustrating about this track is that it displays yet another example of Wayne's inability to seize a potentially big moment. Apart from "Tha Carter III," which showed that he's capable of fulfilling expectations, his head-to-head record against big-name rappers is mostly weak (see "Hello Brooklyn" with Jay-Z and "Barry Bonds" with Kanye West.)

9. "Runnin' " featuring Shanell

Another obviously huge hook voiced by Shanell that would be better served in the hands of Kelly Clarkson or Hayley Williams from Paramore. The lyrics contain vaguely inspirational lyrics about "hitting the ground runnin'." Maybe I was wrong -- perhaps this is Tony Robbins rap-rock. Either way, do yourself a favor and listen to the Pharcyde's "Runnin' " instead. 

10. "One Way Trip" featuring Kevin Rudolf

Aided by Cash Money's token rocker, Wayne brags about "beating the beat up." Had this not been recorded months ago, I'd swear that it was a "Jersey Shore," reference, which would provide this ultra-serious album with a modicum of humor. At least, the denizens of "Jersey Shore" seem to be in on the joke. Apparently, Travis Barker drums on this song or so Wayne tells us in yet another ad-lib.

11. "Knockout" featuring Nicki Minaj

Over a riff eerily similar to Blink-182's "Dammit," Wayne delivers perhaps the album's oddest couplet: "Once you go black, you never go back/Once you go white, everything else is wack." Cash Money-signed Nicki Minaj adds a degree of levity to the song -- at least she sounds like she's having fun.

12. "The Price Is Wrong"

Unfortunately, this does not turn out to be an attack on Drew Carey or Bob Barker. Rather it sounds like a version of what the Knux do infinitely better. Wayne continues to dwell on his high school fixation, lamenting that his girl "kisses anyone with a hall pass." At another point, he wails, "I love you. ... I'd die without you." At the expense of continually recommending other options, may I point to P.M. Dawn, who at least understood how to mix their saccharine words with melody and songwriting chops?

Verdict: "Rebirth" deserves its reputation as one of the worst albums of the year so far. With luck, Wayne will return to what he does best -- and soon.

-- Jeff Weiss

Comments

[r]

Ehh who cares about the negativity? I'm sure you had fun typing this but I bought the album and so will many others so...

Keep typing. Hope it pays your bills.

[Jere]

Lil Wayne's attempt at rock is the equivalent of someone learning all their English from Al Pacino in Scarface.

[naiem laasers]

U clearly dont know what your talking bout and im not even a big wayne fan. This article is one of the worst ive read by far filled with musical thoughts that dont make sense and unnecessary jokes and analogies that arent funny. Lets see a rock star man up and do hip hop?

[Joe]

It's selling pretty well on iTunes despite being the worst album of the year. I think your going a little overboard. Some of the songs are pretty entertaining.

[Latty]

I think Lil Wayne should stick to Rap its what he does best..not really a big fan of this album, I skipped thorugh all the songs and none of them really struck me...too much auto tune in all the songs..

[Joseph milton]

Whoever the hell u r u don't kno what the hell u talking bout. Wayne is the best artist alive. U probally can't even name a Wayne song? Rebirth is a hell of an album. I bought it. U probally comparing him to lady gaga? The most retarded emo girl ever. Wayne killed rebirth top to bottom. And I'm a real lil Wayne fan. I felt every song. And I kno about him. If u actually payed attention to stuff he said u would kno that it's his own genre of music. He calls it rock because he doesn't want anyone to judge it before he does. Who the hell r u anyway?

[M]

Idiot. He doesn't say "once you go white everyone else is whack" he says once you go WAYNE everyone else is whack. Get your facts before writing your dumb article.

[Peraza]

Once you go black you never go back once you go wayne everything else is wack

[Trey]

You're personal vendetta again Wayne is completely useless and unjustified. Also to correct your biased view of his lyrics, it's not "Once you go white, everything else is wack," it's actually "Once you go Wayne, everything else is wack," which includes this review.

[You don't have a clue]

I agree with 'r,' clearly you can type up an article full of short sighted negative critiques, but you don't have a clue what good music is!

This album should quadruple what Wayne did on his last album, while proving there is life beyond Rap for Lil Wayne. I commend Wayne for thinking outside the box and progressing his artistic craftsmanship forward.

I have been listening to Rap since the early 80's and in the past couple of years the same Rap/Hip-Hop/R&B/Pop equation is getting mad tired; too many douche bags, too many suckers.

This album is a breath of fresh air for the entire industry.

I'm sure Lil Wayne is crying all the way to bank.

Jeff do us all a favor and quit your day job.

[Latty]

haha, your retarted trying to talk about my post you know we all have our opionons and i am too a big Wayne fan - its all about cash money!! Comparing it to No Celings there is no way that this album is one of his best..Now all im saying is that this genre of music he did in Rebirth didnt really do it for me..there are a couple of songs that did flow but the rest eh...whatever man just keep your words and your comments to yourself tard!
haha - oh and i can name more songs of his than you think bruh...

[Eric]

I agree--the personal vendetta against Wayne seems unhealthy. And that Simpsons reference was rather pointless and flat.

[playa d]

this is the worst review of the year so far. its not rock how everyone thinks of when they hear rock. hes said it himself in countless interviews. I agree its not his best work, but some songs are good.

[This review is gay]

its not "once you go white" you dumb ass.

[J.t.]

This Album Is A CLASSIC No Lie. Whoever Oh Boy Is that said it was The Worst Album Of Th Yesr Sounds Like A Retart. The Album Go Hard And iLike Evey Song On It

[RMont1021]

You are one of the worst journalists I've ever seen. I'm taking a highschool journalism class and you go against everything journalists shouldnt do you voice your opinion too much your propably one of those people glad he's going to jail. Waynes such an innovative artist that is one, entertaining not only with his music but also his life and two hes one of the best in the business. The album is selling well and with the responces people like it, sure its not carter 3 material but its not the worst album ever, go back and learn how to write articals. FREE WEEZY!

[Victor]

Are some of you deaf? There is nothing wrong with attempting to push the envelope but clearly Wayne had a limited knowledge of what rock is before he went in to record this album. Look around within the hip hop community; online, offline, mainstream and underground and you will see it is considered as an abortion. Why do you think Universal delayed it on so many occasions?

Wayne is not untouchable, which i thought the carter 3 proved. However, that album had gems on it, the only real gem found on this is Eminem's verse.

And in defence of the writer, what makes a "good" journalist. You are all clearly incensed that he trashed an album (that most critics have been trashing) and not because he misheard a single line on it. He may have been highly critical but that is the price of fame when it comes to music criticism.

One more thing, most rock artists avoid hip hop as they likely are aware they would do it a disservice. Wayne, if he wanted to garner real critical love, should have done the research. Homework is a must for someone to cross into another genre.

[Roberto]

I don't listen to Lil Wayne but this reporter is clearly trying to bring him down especially by saying that Eminem makes him look like an impostor. Wayne has clearly made a name for himself and he is a well known rapper thinking out of the box entertaining all types of fans...

[zach]

I'm a big wayne fan, and this album is exactly why he is strictly a master mix tape artist and not an album releaser; this album obviously is some of his worst work ever, i'll admit it. But wayne had huge balls to come out and try to make this all come together, and any rock star will admit that they couldn't do that vice versa. I'm sure he will get credit but it's just not good. Also, wayne being a huge success in the mixtape world, with hit mixtapes like no ceilings, he has to do something for all the radio listeners and people out there who don't know what the hell mixtapes are so that they know Wayne is still around. Hopefully we see the carter 4 soon and he will show everyone what he can really do.

[John]

you clearly cannot understand him and this is why you respond with this negative article..........

"Once you go black, you never go back/Once you go white, everything else is wack."

THATS NOT WHAT HE SAID......u obviously cannot understand the words coming out of his mouth. You should not be writing an article on something you cannot understand.

[Ian]

R-

Of course you did, just like every other blind jackass who listens to the pop charts.

Keep throwing your money down the drain, it's making your wallet empty.

[Taylor]

Wow Roberto you said it all right there. I really like his idea of the album, and maybe it wasn't so hot. He should have took more time to develop it and it could have been FIRE! But yeah Lil Wayne is easily the biggest player in the game today. But then again that's my opinion.

[cam]

lil wayne is an insult to rock music

[ben moore]

'wayne is the best artist alive' i think joseph milton here has forgot that eminem, jay-z, nas, dre, snoop, red, method, nelly, beyonce, kurupt, and andre are all still alive... rofl.

[catdog]

ha once you can do what wayne does, then you can write about it. Have some respect for the man. I actually think the songs are good. NOT ALL but there are a few. respect a man, he has a marketable voice. Notice that he did a million collaborations in the past couple years. Everyone in the business wants to work with him and you try and depict his album song by song?
Think about it.