HOUSE OF PAIN

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, "Same as It Ever Was" is the second album by House of Pain, which followed their massively successful album Fine Malt Lyrics. It was released in 1994 and peaked at number 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Billboard 200. With this album, Everlast changed his style of rapping considerably and unveiled a much more distinctive and recognizable approach. Sounding twisted, damaged, and maniacal, Everlast grabs the listener's attention and refuses to let go on such wildly entertaining fare as "Back From the Dead," "Over There Shit," and "Runnin' Up on Ya."

House of Pain's subject matter -- namely, their superior rapping skills and the threat they pose to sucker MCs -- is far from groundbreaking. But an abundance of strong, clever hooks and Everlast's psycho-like rapping make Same as It Ever Was consistently appealing.