After a three-year hiatus DMX (Earl Simmons) returns with "Year of the Dog...Again" (2006). At thirty-six years old, Yonker's DMX is an established veteran in the Rap game delivering his sixth solo album. As X likes to remind his listeners the previous five (

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) went platinum/multi platinum, and I have no doubt this one will to. In the last couple of years DMX has been fighting some battles, whether it be with the law, record companies, or other issues. Being a long time fan I am really happy to see him back making music again. After the short intro DMX and long time collaborator producer Swizz Beatz deliver a fast paced banger with "We In Here", X rhymes with hunger and pride while repping himself and talking about the state of the game. DMX then provides "I Run S***" letting it be known that he's back and not going anywhere, Bloodline's Big Stan makes a brief appearance. With "Come Thru" (Move) X and Busta Rhymes deliver another track to blast in the whip. DMX's Ruff Ryders brethren Jadakiss and Styles P of the Lox drop in for "It's Personal", all three come on point delivering raw thugged out lyrics. X then flips the script providing a different kind of track with "Baby Motha", rhyming about relationships, loving X's own chorus to this one. "Dog Love" is a joint strictly for the ladies, R & B singers Janyce & Amerie collab with X on a laidback cut. X gives Bloodlines Rock act Bazaar Royale a chance to make an impression on "Wrong or Right" (I'm Tired) - I am not really impressed. The only other track I feel the same way about on this release is "Walk These Dogs" feat. Kashmir, just not feeling it. DMX delivers another quality banger with the single "Give Em' What They Want" rhyming over some blazing Scott Scorch production. My favorite track on this release at the moment is "Blown Away" an exceptional cut where DMX shines while taking his listeners through his early life, singer Janyce deliver smooth background vocals and MC Jinx makes a late appearance. A reflective DMX rhymes and sings on the outstanding "Goodbye" reminding his audience that any day can be our last, while remembering friends who died to young. X continues the introspective journey and provides another excellent cut with "Life Be My Song" - sometimes our worst enemy can be ourselves, DMX's lyrics and chorus are hard hitting and relate to many people on some level. For every album DMX had done he has made a prayer, he keeps the tradition going with "The Prayer VI", and follows it up with the single "Lord Give Me A Sign", loved this cut since the first day I heard it a few months ago, X delivers memorable lyrics and an outstanding chorus while talking to God. X keep his album diverse ranging from cuts to blast in the ride, to deep introspective joints that make you think. DMX delivers another quality album with "Year of the Dog...Again" this a release I highly recommend adding to the collection.

I am so glad that this came out. Rap has been in such a poor state for the last couple of years, and now this drops. Its nice to know that you can always count on a all time great like DMX to make a comeback. He had so many great songs and CDs before this, and now he comes back and shows us that rap is not dead yet. There may be a couple minor problems with this, but there is not a weak song on the entire album, and there are a good number of clssics. The ranking of the songs (1-10) go from 7 to 10, and 7 is still a really good song. So a CD whos worst song is still really good, and has at least 5 classics on it has to get a 5 star rating.

This is even better than his debut! Even though we were without DMX for a couple years, he has made up for lost time really fast by releasing a classic. You've got to love the songs on this, because they sound so vintage, but also manage to show that DMX has matured as an artist. Get this CD asap.

I feared the worst, ever since i heard the "leaked" copy of Here We go again, i was not impressed, then he left Def Jam, and everything seemed bleek for him.

I will not lie im a big DMX fan, and im most pleased to see him return as he really is, a street dog, after hearing this albumb for the first time i couldnt help but feel a deja vu from is dark and hell is hot, this album is vintage DMX.

Being honest, I really didnt like the cd much at first but after listening to it a few times it has grown on me. Not quite "Its dark and hell is hot DMX" but the cd is closer to that than the past couple ones. My favorite song is not even on the cd; its on the bonus dvd. If anyone knows what the name of the song is or where to find it that would be great. He starts singing it right at 10mins into the dvd. For the chourus he says "I dont know, I dont know". For some reason I really liked that song and need help finding it so I can listen to it in my car. Thanks.