As the World Burns (1999)

Brooklyn's Arsonists lift musical inspiration from the Wu-Tang Clan and Dr. Dre, but lyrically these five MCs are in a league of their own. Complex, humorous freestyling is their specialty, and they apply it liberally to menacing, minor-key piano hooks and mellow, head-nodding beats. Though many elements will sound familiar, songs like ''Pyromaniax'' -- which sets jet-speed verbal japes over Fats Waller- cum-organ-grinder oompah -- show the Arsonists have fresh ideas to burn.