With four albums in two years, Earl “E-40” Stevens’ grind is irrefutable, and his friends respect it. While there are over 20 different appearances on Revenue Retrievin’: Graveyard Shift, those appearances mesh masterfully with E-40 and the concept of the project. On tracks, like “Fried” 
the Tech N9ne assist proves to be one of the albums highlights. The same can be said for Turf Talk and DB Tha General on “The Streets Don’t Love Nobody.” Calling back to The Click with B-Legit, chemistry on “43” is brilliant. While, Bun B and Slim Thug on “Candy Paint” give 40 his most radio accessible track since “Tell Me When To Go.” Rarely do projects benefit from such an enormous guest list, but E-40 manages to bring a collection of artists that complement his 20-plus year wisdom within Hip Hop.
Graveyard Shift‘s strength lies in E-40’s lyrical display. From top to bottom, it maybe 40’s most consistent effort behind the microphone since the Jive Records days. Lyrics like, “After the perfect push-up, she gets me off like a shake weight” showcase the humor that’s made 40 an emcee’s emcee. He stays true to the album’s concept of endurance and restlessness, and nothing feels out of place and when necessary he drops jewels on the listener as well. Tracks like, “Serious” kick Bay Area realities. “I’m a long way from being recession proof” sums up the hardships he tackles on the track. Nearly 20 years since Federal, 40 remains more than able to capture the resiliency of a hustlers grind. When T-Pain sings on the hook “Don’t underestimate me/ a couple of days will be all it takes me” 40 and T-Pain avoid creating the cliché D-Boy anthem. “Serious” could be the anthem for single mothers, nine-to-fivers, or your street pharmacist, all at once.
While 40 consistently does work behind the microphone, the same can’t be said for the board work. Whereas My Ghetto Report Card excited fans with a charged new Sik Wid It sound, Graveyard Shift is mired in a la carte beats. Seemingly every track starts and gives the listener great hope, but the crescendos happen early. Unfortunately, the production never takes off and while 40’s flow and intensity builds, the production more times than not falters. There are exceptions, such as “Fried,” “E Forty” and a butter smooth “Candy Paint” yet the listener is left with the inevitable feeling of “what if?”
Like the old In Living Color sketch “Hey Mon,” E-40 boasts about his many jobs in the last several years: an emcee, a father, a franchise owner, a label exec and a mentor to many. Revenue Retrievin’: Graveyard Shift is a quality album that’s at the top of the swarm of recent releases for the Vallejo vet. It’s an ensemble effort that calls back to the days of The Click, as well as recognizes new voices influenced by the slanguage, but nobody steals the show from the host.
I havent even heard the wiz album yet cuz i’ve been bumpin pure e-40 tracks off this album !
Same mane I like wiz but fortys albums bang way harder
biyatch! but seriously, this one sounds like the best of the four revenue albums
I agree. Glad people care. I think Ima buy this one first.
it pretty much was a double album, no review for the other one?
Coming this week, dunny.
the other what? If this is a double album too, I might just buy the last 4 E-40 albums
the “serious” track is bangin peace!!!
Guy deserves a lot of respect, still putting out good records after so long, really puts Snoop and his fad jumping ass to shame.
When a horrible rapper gets a better review than Lasers. SMFH.
If you really liked Lupe so much you wouldn’t associate with him. 😀
Not takin’ anything away from Lupe, but E-40 has been doin this shit since before Lupe was born. Respect your elders…
this mothafucka is waaaaaay better than fat fuck Ross ! but go figure why CO Ricky gets all the props now …
this album is better than his last doulbe album for sure . E-40 IS DOPE BEEN DOPE SINCE THE EARLY 90’S
This shit’s dope!!!
Nah, I liked the first 2 better. Overtime shift is better than Graveyard.
My favs in order.
1.Daytime
2.Nightime * Tied
3.Overtime * Tied
4.Graveyard
People need to just buy 40’s first three solo albums and Click albums. Not enough people have them anyway.
Not fronting on his lyrical capability but he’s still corny sounding as fuck. Hyphee shit is gay
E-40 is just amazing, what other rapper form the late 80’s, early 90s still killin it like E-40? These albums are amazing, E-40 is the most consistent rapper ever, just amazing. He has the lyrics, the flow, the slang and the production down perfect, everyone bow down to uncle 40 water, one of a kind.
e40 is the muthafuckin man dopeness once again.
This shit is amazing.
That Candy Paint pumps!
a couple ok songs becuz of the beats , other than that its nothing special
all i got to say is this shit bang
what u no bout that barbarian a savage
I love this album way more than the overtime shift cd. I think the production is way better and the content of some of these songs just keeps it soo real in todays fuck im broke economy. Tough times is genius and really relatable in todays world and the scripture reading at the tracks end is a nice touch. Bosko really comes with some spooky beats on this shit. This album hits hard in a car and the lyrics really grabbed me. any rapper who can just talk slanguage and say what they need to actually say without making it rhyme and it still has swag is a genius in my book. 40 is truly a rare talent and there will never be another like him.
Dope
love when 40 works with Tech N9ne