Tuesday September 18, 2001

Bad Ronald

Bad Ronald

Reprise Records

Grade:

B

By now, most people have seen Bad Ronald's video on MTV for their first single "Let's Begin (Shoot the Shit)," in which the band raps, dances and drinks in a Mr. Rogers/Sesame Street-type setting complete with girls sucking lollipops in diapers and binge-drinking Muppets.

This is a pretty accurate description of Bad Ronald's approach to music.

Ever since Eminem broke down the door for white boys rapping a couple of years ago, more and more white faces rocking microphones are beginning to surface. Bad Ronald rap its entire debut album and it is at least 75 percent white, with one member, Doug, in question. The New York-based group consists of Doug Ray, White Owl, Kaz Gamble and DJ Deetalx.

Not since the Beastie Boys first broke onto the music scene has a group attempted to reach out to the kids who came to the party simply to do keg stands. Bad Ronald's self-titled debut is both bouncy and light, a perfect party record, with no slow points. Standouts are "Shoot the Shit,""Hand on the Wheel" and "Lost on Tour." The band also has an original sound - not something that will break the industry doors wide open, but it is something different.

For what the album is, it is great. It is a mindless and carefree record, which is not a bad thing. However, as far as listening to this record every day, it might wear a little thin. The lyrics range from weed to beer to groupies to beer to groupies and back to weed. In short, this album has about as much depth as a love poem by Mike Tyson, although complexity is not what this band seems to be striving for.