R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (by Snoop Dogg, Rap)

It's hard to completely resist any songwriter who comes up such whimsical rhymes as "Everything is beautiful/Right down to ya cuticles" (on "Perfect"). Too interesting and well-done to simply write off for adults, this is still an album filled with all those words and concepts you don't want your kids repeating at Grandma's house.

From a strictly musical point of view, R&G is an intriguing and well-constructed album by one of rap's revered elder statesmen. But in order to appreciate the cleverness, terrific rhythm tracks, and occasional social commentary, you'll have to wade through a forest of four-letter words, gunshot sound effects, drug references, and sexism -- as well as some surprisingly well-delivered gospel and R&B-influenced tunes. There is an edited version, and it's done better than most, but so many words are omitted that it's almost impossible to grasp the narrative thread on many of the edited tunes.

Snoop's voice, still in good form, seems to ride over the well-constructed beats rather than become a part of them. Cameos by Nelly and Daz, and production by the Neptunes, add polish. A spectacular gospel-tinged beginning kicks off 18 tracks that pay homage to a variety of R&B influences, all executed beautifully.