Like Beanie Sigel’s prior releases, The Solution displays a lyrical mastermind who nonetheless faces an identity crisis when it comes to marketing himself. The album jumps from radio crossovers (“All of the Above”) to concrete body slams (“You Ain’t Ready for Me”) to party songs (“Pass the Patron”). Beanie appears with the most unlikely range of guests imaginable, from Ozzy Osbourne (the Black Sabbath-sampling “Judgement Day”) to soft rock crooner James Blunt (“Dear Self”). Even on the song in which Beans plays ladies’ man (“I’m In”) he goes from buying surprise gifts for his women to “abusing ‘em and losing ‘em.” The album’s multiple layers of conflict culminate on “Dear Self,” which presents a conversation between Beanie’s split personalities: “Are you that plain ignorant? / You’re so indignant / Please come off that high chair you’re sitting in / Before you’re smashed from it or strapped to it / Your body used as a conduit / A thousand volts flow through you / Your life gone over something foolish.” While he may be far from finding a lasting solution to his inner turmoil, Beanie’s lyricism is more focused than ever.