Guilty Pleasurez

Audio Mixer: Mike Kumagi.
On their third album, Brokencyde deliver a more subdued effort that emphasizes "crunk" over "core" with Guilty Pleasure, a title that shows an odd sense of self-awareness from the band. The thing that stands out the most here is the noticeable reduction in the screamed vocals, maturing the band from a screamo/rap hybrid into more of a typical club rap group. Rest assured, though, nothing has changed lyrically. Brokencyde are just as into smoking blunts, popping bottles, and sharing their late-night freaky tales as they've ever been, so while the execution has changed, the content is still more or less the same as it has ever been. With songs like the hater-addressing "U Mad Bro?," it's clear that the bandmembers aren't worried about making converts out of any of their naysayers, and instead are fine with making an album that's aimed at their hardcore fans. Given how much Brokencyde seem to thrive on people hating them, that's probably exactly the way they want it. ~ Gregory Heaney