The advent of the compact disc meant that artists could now give their fans up to 80 minutes of music on one album. Probably for price-value reasons, hip-hop artists are notorious for taking advantage of the disc's extra space, usually with a smattering of silly two-minute "skits."

Snoop Dogg [ tickets ] is the worst culprit of hip-hop's 80-minute excess. The guy needs an editor, bad. "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" has 21 tracks--maybe nine of which are actually any good. The maddening thing is "Treatment" includes some of Snoop's most engaging tracks ever. But there is so much inane nonsense here, why should anyone consider getting the entire disc? Better to hit it up song by song.

That said, disc highlights come fast and early. The cyber-cameo from George Clinton and P-Funk-style bass on "Intrology" lets Snoop commence his new album with confidence and his signature honey-smooth flow. The track segues into "Think About It" and then "Crazy," with cousin Nate Dogg providing the undeniable hook.

"Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" sounds like it was a blast to record, with cameos from R. Kelly, Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, Jaimee Foxx and The Game. The best cameo, though, comes from Cypress Hill's B-Real on "Vato," a hook-laden ghetto tale about deceit and drama.

That track is a highlight on this otherwise disappointing effort--well, mostly disappointing anyway. "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" proves once and for all: just 'cause you can put 80 minutes of music on a compact disc doesn't mean you should put 80 minutes of music on a compact disc. Sorry, Snoop. This time, it's not all good.