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It seems almost pointless to review any large number of solo or group LPs coming from the once-mighty No Limit camp. These albums, though highly important to the label's diehard fans, are all but forgettable to everyone else. Interchangeable artists lead to interchanegable long-players and No Limit, past or present, was/is the definition of "virtually interchangable." Any No Limit album could have been mistaken for another and, oftentimes, they were. And with that said, it does leave me uncertain as to why I'm reviewing Mr. Serv-On's debut record, "Life Insurance" despite the "been there, done that" feel.

Maybe it's Beats by the Pounds' fantastic production. Maybe it's Serv's unapologetic lyrics and subject matter. Maybe it's because "Life Insurance" seems more like an individual's record and not like the work of a semi-talented cog in a label full of them. Whatever it may be, No Limit needed more rappers like Mr. Serv-On... let alone more ALBUMS like Serv's "Life Insurance." It's just too bad, then, that this record never received the attention of less important No Limit LPs that appeared after it.

Beats by the Pound, as is usually the case with any No Limit album, are the stars here. The crew provides sufficient beats for Serv throughout. Although nothing is incredibly innovative, it is solid and even occassionally funky. P's production crew had yet to fully develop their trademark sound, but "Life Insurance" is where it really began to take shape.

Jumping from dark and bassy to upbeat and synth-heavy, there aren't a plethora of styles covered here, but the beat palette is fitting for an MC of Serv's caliber. The compositions are never too complex (or varied) that any handful of P's soldiers couldn't have rapped over them, but that is one of the record's charms. The dark sound that BbtP make sure to permeate "Life Insurance" with was key in making this one of the most sonically enthralling No Limit albums released.

Serv, though no technically gifted rapper, was much more talented than many of his No Limit brethren. Though his sophomore album, "Da Next Level," found him altering his flow to an almost remarkable level, "Life Insurance" finds Serv adhering to a less complex flow and typical guns-n-drugs subject matter. It's a comfortable listen for No Limit enthusiasts but not quite as ambitious as his sophomore set. This lack of ambition, however, is what seperates it; for better or worse.

There are a good number of more topic-oriented tracks as well. A club number, introspective joints, even some rampant mysogony thrown in for good measure. You're not going to find songs questioning the meaning of life on a No Limit record and Serv knows this. This is mostly substandard gangsta material and, again, this makes "Life Insurance" a comfortable listen for No Limit diehards. Lyrically, Serv makes it interesting, but for anyone who tires of repeated subject matter, this isn't one for you.

As with any NL album, there are an innumerable amount of guest appearances. Just scratching the surface, Master P appears at least three times, Brotha Lynch Hung puts in an appearance, as does Mac, Kane & Abel, Mystikal, Mia X, Prime Suspects, Fiend, and others. There are only a handful of solo tracks handed to Serv and that is the only detriment to this record.

"Life Insurance," otherwise, is one of No Limit's best releases. Strong production, strong lyrics, and a charismatic rapper at the helm makes this one that should be copped by any No Limit enthusiast. Although it is pricey these days, it's certainly worth the money despite the cost. A No Limit classic and an album that should be more celebrated than it, ultimately, ended up being.

9/10