Ram Squad's major-label debut is a moderately effective portrait of life in North Philly's Richard Allen projects. While the group has earned fame in its hometown for its gritty lyrics, it is the album's solid production that gives it its shine. Tracks like the anthemic "Ballers (Up in Here)" and the
Wu-Tang Clan-inspired "Snake Sh*t" boast strong hooks and bumping rhythm tracks. Despite the group's street credibility, some of the tracks come off as overkill. Various songs feature wild boasts that fail to ring true with listeners and fall into cliché. Tracks with overly self-explanatory titles such as "Sex Sex Money Money Thug Thug" and "Shootout" fail to pack any narrative punch. Still, there are enough good moments in R.andom A.ccess M.oney to make it a solid, if unspectacular, debut. ~ Jon Azpiri