Tunnel Rats is the third studio album by West Coast underground Christian hip hop collective Tunnel Rats, released on March 3, 2004, through Uprok Records. Featuring several new members among the group's ranks, the album was well received by critics, with Christianity Today and Rapzilla considering it the best album so far by the group.

 

 

They say that the third time is the charm. The self-titled release marks the third time out for the Tunnel Rats as a hip hop collective. Certainly there are some charms to the CD, with beats spanning from old school effects to futuristic, synth-driven tracks and a diversity on the mic like none ever captured. However, it’s important to remember that there’s a dark cloud that fills out every silver lining. First comes the beats. Noticably, Dert has managed to break out of the monotonous compositions from the previous Tunnel Rats efforts, solo and otherwise. It would seem that he’s coming into his own and seems willing to lead the Tunnel Rats onward to the next level. The variety of beats and rhythms truly carries the album, compelling the listener to continue to listen. Then there’s the rhymes. Known for their braggadocio, the Tunnel Rats continue this legacy, filling out over half of the lyric sheets with reminders of who they are and what they’ve accomplished. Included are the rap standards like “don’t mess with us,” “we’re the best,” and various other chest-beating phrases.