Usual Suspects,
the 5th Ward Boyz's third album, isn't dramatically different than
Rated G or
Ghetto Dope -- it's a collection of straightahead gangsta-funk, with rolling beats, deep bass grooves and cliched lyrics.
The 5th Ward Boyz do have charisma, which compensates for the lack of imagination in the music, and a few moments -- like "I Know," a duet with Scarface -- are dynamic, exciting hip-hop, yet
Usual Suspects is the kind of rap record that will primarily appeal to devoted followers of gangsta rap. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine