Broken Silence

She's back. After more drama than even this unshy Big Bad Mama might have wanted, it seems as if Foxy Brown has pulled back from the abyss. Of course, on her first album in three years (since the disappointing Chyna Doll), Foxy's rhyme skills haven't gotten any better or worse--she still exhibits the focused monotone that first got her noticed in 1995 on LL Cool J's "I Shot Ya." Broken Silence can't be called a revelation, but it does showcase a less ill, more introspective Na Na. Gratuitous battle rhymes are still very much in effect, but the effort she's made to explore her recent painful experiences has resulted in some pretty compelling material. Foxy explains her position, pointedly making thinly veiled references to the many industry beefs and relationship problems that have made her name prime fodder for the rumor mills. Many of the best tunes found here, including the ragga raw "Oh Yeah," are heavy on the reggae vibe, but, quiet as it's been kept, Foxy's been exploring her dancehall roots for a while now. Broken Silence may not be the best we'll ever hear from Ms. Brown, but you can definitely call it a comeback. --Rebecca Levine