Since
Pimp C entered prison in early 2002, his UGK brother
Bun B unwillingly launched a solo career with the heavy-hitting 2005 album
Trill and the fantastic single "Draped Up." It was a more mainstream affair than anything UGK had ever attempted, and the fans who were disappointed by
Bun B going bling are going to be even more bitter after hearing
Pimpalation, an album that makes no grand statements but bangs hard with numerous club cuts. Easing listeners off the righteous "Free Pimp C" campaign mania that led up to the album's release, the great
Tom Petty-sampling "I'm Free" thanks the fans for waiting and addresses lockdown and release. Hot on its heels, the hard and very UGK "Knockin' Doorz Down" attempts to unite the South while announcing the Pimp's return to the game. From here, it's forget about the past and get back to work. "Pourin' Up" is the little brother to
Bun B's "Draped Up," although it's
Pimp C, so it's more aggressive, brasher, and extra sleazy. A ridiculous amount of hooky tracks with an even more ridiculous amount of guest stars -- shades of
Trill once again -- follow with
Pimp C dropping the more hedonistic side of Houston culture all over tracks like the sly "Bobby & Whitney." This is a party, so those who expect a storytelling prison album like
Beanie Sigel's
The B.Coming are in for a big letdown. Their loss, but thuggish Friday nights that crave that syrup sippin' Texas noise rarely have it so good. [
Pimpalation was also made available in a clean version, with all explicit material removed.] ~ David Jeffries