By W. Jacarl Melton

Daily Arts Writer

With the release of The Reunion, Capone-N-Noreaga try to start where their 1997 debut, The War Report, left off.

War Report ended with Capone making a phone call from behind bars where he was serving a two-year bid on a weapons charge. "Phonetime," the new album's first track, tries to create the similar "behind bars" effect but, like the rest of this album, doesn't match its predecessor.

There are two highlights on The Reunion, though. Number one is "Invincible."

This is probably the best track on the album, but then again, DJ Premier produced it. It's hard to go wrong with Premo on your side, yet C-N-N almost do this when Noreaga repeats the same line back to back. Needless to say, lyrics aren't a strongpoint at any time on the album.

The second "bright spot" is "Bang Bang." This track is a prototype song from New York City's "thug haven," Queens. It offers a lyrical beatdown for anyone who comes weak. This onslaught is decent but the best part is when Foxy Brown takes her turn on the mic. She goes off on fellow sexpot rapper Lil' Kim. All I can say is watch out for the catfight that's sure to follow.

The problems of The Reunion may not fall totally on Capone-N-Noreaga, though. Quite simply, the subject matter is worn out. People like DMX and the "pretty boy thug" Ja Rule have saturated the rap market's "thug section," which C-N-N occupy.

However, I could be wrong. If the rap connoisseur isn't tired of this category yet, C-N-N will do fine. Otherwise, Capone may have been better off staying "up-state" a few more years until this segment of the rap population thinned out.

Grade: C