More than just another rap soundtrack,
The Wash actually functions more as a
Dr. Dre album. The West Coast don not only executive produces the album but also produces a few tracks and even raps on three. And the tracks that don't feature him no doubt reflect his influence -- most of the producers here clearly studied at the
Dr. Dre school of beatmaking. It's perhaps not a surprise, then, that
The Wash sounds an awful lot like
Chronic 2001.
Dre and
Snoop Dogg anchor the album and perform on the album's best songs, including the title track, which consciously references "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" with not only its lyrics, but also its beats. Furthermore, like
Chronic 2001,
The Wash features a large cast of performers, most from the West Coast and several relatively unknown, big-name exceptions being
D12,
Bilal,
Xzibit,
Busta Rhymes, and
Bubba Sparxxx. Of the unknowns, two singers/rappers in particular get the spotlight:
Shaunta and
Knoc-Turn'al, both signed to
Dre's Aftermath label and both making their debuts here. The soundtrack's highlight comes on "Bad Intentions," one of
Dre's most club-oriented songs ever. Overall,
The Wash could use a few more standout moments. The
D12 and
Bubba Sparxxx songs are impressive but unfortunately out of place on such a West Coast-centric album. More than anything, though, it's worth giving this album a listen even if only to hear
Dre's changing sound -- his trademark production sound is all over this soundtrack. ~ Jason Birchmeier