by Stewart Mason
Retreating to a small indie label after being downsized in the general rejection of all things rap-rock circa early 2002 (a situation analogous to the sorry fates of all those hair metal bands who couldn't get arrested after &Smells Like Teen Spirit&), Phunk Junkeez should probably be commended for staying true to the sound that had sustained them over the course of their career instead of lamely jumping on the new neo-garage alt-rock trends. The bad news is that on Rock It Science, that characteristic blend of funk bass, metal guitar, hip-hop drums, and scratching and shouted/chanted vocals once and for all sounds really dated and tired. While never particularly distinctive, the previous albums had at least kept their energy levels high enough to rock an average weeknight frat party, but unfortunately, the best idea here is a cover of the Midnight Star electro-funk classic &No Parking on the Dance Floor,& and it's incredibly poorly executed, bludgeoning the original's slinky groove into helpless submission. Game over.