The gun-toting, glassy-eyed gangsta once known as Snoop Dogg has recently become that glassy-eyed dude responsible for making kids giggle every time they hear words ending in “-izzle.” Thank God he gets back to business with Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, an album that redefines Snoop as the Crippin’ ghetto philosopher, blazing chronic and leading scholar on subjects from black and brown unity (“Vato”) to women’s studies (“A Bitch I Knew”). He spits street politics with The Game on “Gangbangn’ 101,” sparks a blunt session with Nate Dogg on the silky smooth “Crazy,” and recaptures his chemistry with Dr. Dre on the slow, contemplative “Imagine.” The same problem in all his recent work — a weed-induced laziness at times and a couple throwaway tracks — still exist, but they mostly get swept under tha Blue Carpet. Grade: B+
— Martin Caballero, Muse Staff