The Hunger for More

While we know 50 Cent is bulletproof, tougher than leather, and all that, his tunes haven't always knocked us out: Nice hooks, but the playa rhymes like he's chewing with his mouth open. Not an issue for his G-Unit compadre Lloyd Banks. On his solo debut, Banks shows off a smooth flow and beats at least equal to what 50 was bumping on Get Rich or Die Tryin'. So why must Banks insist on trying to follow so closely in his boy's footsteps? "On Fire" demonstrates Banks' fascination with 50's heavy-lidded singsong style, but a nifty organ riff makes it a winner regardless. Similarly, the nearly off-key, four-note hook looping through "Playboy" renders its lyrical shortcomings forgivable. No such luck with the distinctly ordinary "Warrior" or "I Get High," which reinforces the 50 influence with his actual presence. The Timbaland-produced "I'm So Fly" manages to squeeze a mesmerizing tune from a staid formula, but mostly The Hunger for More feels too true to its title, hinting at ass-loads of potential but leaving us p-p-p-p-p-p-peckish.