Cypress Hill’s ninth studio album has its bangin’ back-to-basics moments, especially on the B-Real–produced groove monsters “It Ain’t Nothin'” and “Get ‘Em Up,” as well as the smooth-tempo, 21st-century funk of “Armed and Dangerous” (coproduced by up-and-comer Jake One). Problem is, there’s also plenty of guitar-driven frat rock, though at least the Latino legends recruit Tom Morello and Systemof a Down’s Daron Malakian to supply the metallic pyro. Rise Up doesn’t always meet the occasion, but it’s Cypress’ mostconsistently listenable album in 15 years.
