It's been a little while but Fros'T is back —and back with a vengeance.

After nearly a 3-year layoff, the West Coast emcee drops his second national release titled Me vs. Myself, a 17-track journey is an awesome conglomeration of songs and concepts that showcase the thoughts and ideas behind the emcee.

The project kicks off with the track, "Comin' Home". It serves as Fros'T's impassioned promise to his family that he'll be home soon. This song shows the struggles that an artist has in balancing life on the road with being home in their familial role. Such is the idea behind the title of this album.

Fros'T expresses the conflict that comes between his role as an artist and his own personal preferences. Consequently, the album isn't designed to show lyrical skill as much as it is to show varying sides of the same man. Don't get it twisted though —Fros'T brings exceptional flow to the project that makes this one something to listen to.

"Just Bein' Me" exhibits this concept as he expresses his desire to just be himself whereever he goes, regardless to the response he gets. Here he addresses comparisons that have been made between him and other emcees such as Eminem, Marky Mark and Bubba Sparxx. This introspective song is a bold statement as Fros'T also addresses the demands and random comments that come from fans and observers that attempt to stereotype the emcee. It's a candid viewpoint from a candid emcee.

While several tracks give us introspectives, other cuts have Fros'T addressing tough issues. "Party Goin' On" deals with the subject of date rape, something rarely addressed in Christian circles. The track has a party feel that's comparable to something that would come out of the Bad Boy camp. Ignite joins forces with Fros'T to deliver the rhymes on this one while Ellis Taylor sings the hook, reminiscent of West Coast hooks by Warren G.

"Left Behind" deals with the tragedy of Sept. 11 and the reality of the Rapture, and admonishes all listeners to avoid being left behind. This track features Midget droppin' some hot lyrics and sees Ellis Taylor again lacing things with an infectious hook. "Actin' Phony" speaks specifically to a deteriorating industry relationship that the emcee had that was related to the artist's previous record deal. While he doesn't reveal the identity of this person, it's obvious that this relationship had gone awry.

Speaking of relationships, Fros'T establishes the importance of his most important earthly relationships —the ones with his family. In addition to the previously mentioned title cut, there’s "Momma 4 U", which the emcee dedicates to his mother as he chronicles his love and respect for her in light of the death of his father. Again, Taylor laces the hook, while RekoJ and T. Green assist with their West Coast flava.

Fros’T uses "Brighter Days" to addressed both his mother and wife, claiming the future to be brighter than the past. In this day of "bling bling" and emcee battles, it's refreshing to see an emcee focused on the importance of encouraging and supporting his family.

The project concludes with "Run (KP Remix)", which is a remix of a song from his Life Long Journey debut (see album review). This cut gets a blazin’ facelift and beautifully merges both the artistry of hip hop with rock. With Tim Stuart dropping guitar licks, Fros'T enlists the assistance of 4th Avenue Jones and RekoJ. Ahmad of 4th Avenue Jones leaves his trademark hotness on this track, while wife Tena lays down a sweet hook that makes this collaboration worth the price of admission.

Me v. Myself is an excellent follow-up to Fros'T's national debut. With a dedication to family and uncommon candor regarding the industry, this is definitely one to add to the collection.