hiphoprnbsoul rating:

Black Eyed Peas' fourth major label release sees the group capitalize on the crossover success of their international 2003 smash,  Elephunk, offering danceable high energy tracks that should keep booties shaking and humps humping for a mighty long time.

But if you're looking for more than this you might be a little disappointed. Anyone familiar with pre-Elephunk BEP knows the group is not only lyrically gifted, they're also socially conscious. However, there is not that much beyond the rallying cry to the dancefloor here, unless you count the suspiciously-obligatory "Union" featuring music icon Sting and sampling from reggae don Bob Marley.

So there's no "Where's The Love," a genius of a track that melded mindless with mindful in a casually catchy way, but hey, who can blame a mega-talented group that finally hit paydirt with hip-pop after years of struggling in the hip-hop underground? Taking care of the family and receiving mad crossover love is wonderful niceness and Monkey Business is still a good album with plenty of harmless tracks and big names. While the Fergie-driven lead single "Don’t Phunk With My Heart," tends to grow stale over time, the real gem here is "Pump It" which just might be the next monster single from these music vets. "They Don't Want Music" featuring godfather of soul James Brown is soul dancing at its best and the overall smorgasbord of hip-hop, pop, jazz, funk and soul is highly engaging.
Perhaps their next set will offer crossover smashes that actually make you think for a few minutes, but, BEP, until that effort manifests, play on playa, play on. - Shonuf

Download these: "Pump It Up" "They Don't Want Music" "Don’t Phunk With My Heart"  "Feel It"