New music on the shelves

McClatchy Newspapers • Published July 10, 2008

Pop

JEAN GRAE “Jeanius” (Blacksmith Music, ***)

Underground hip-hop heads have long sung the praises of Jean Grae, but the rapper’s full potential always has been hampered by subpar production.

Four years after her last record, she returns with a fierce showing helmed by the 9th Wonder, who’s worked with Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige.

The beats are better, if a bit familiar, but the real draw is Grae’s taut, bitter flow.

Like many rappers, she spends too much time cutting down perceived rivals, but when she shines the light on herself, it’s with an uncommon honesty and depth that rewards repeated listens.

“Jeanius” is out on Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith label, and Grae proves Kweli’s equal at articulating deep disillusionment.

If rumors of her retirement are true, she’s left a rock-solid legacy.

THREE 6 MAFIA “Last 2 Walk” (Columbia, ***)

In the twisted world of Three 6 Mafia, the philosophy of not fixing what isn’t broke hasn’t been some slow death-sentence of marginalization.

In fact, by getting weirder and more outrageous with each release, the Memphis rap group have sold more records, had more hits, won an Oscar, recorded a song with Justin Timberlake and gotten their own reality show. Go figure.

“Last 2 Walk” is the group’s ninth studio album and their first since becoming a household name. It’s a stark, refreshing reminder of the group’s trademark sounds: dark piano chords and synth-heavy beats, pushed further by ridiculous chants that act as choruses. A couple — “Playstation” and “First 48” — feel like product placements, albeit very clever ones.

A slew of guests rounds out what is a wildly fun party.

Some are expected (Project Pat, Akon), others are not (Lyfe Jennings and Good Charlotte). Surprisingly, they all fit nicely.

GIRL TALK “Feed The Animals” (Illegal Art, *** 1/2)

2006’s inventive “Night Ripper” established former biomedical engineer Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, as a mad scientist DJ and mash-up alchemist, a master of blending hip-hop choruses with hooks and riffs from a wide swath of 1990s alternative rock and mainstream pop.