If we are to believe the picture that Lil' Zane paints of teenage life, we must view young people as troubled and tragic — a portion of our society that's obsessed with money and sex. Maybe he's right, at least where the teenagers in his world are concerned.

This, the 17-year-old's debut, is a 15-song journey through the mind of a young man who, according to his lyrics, has lived a challenging life and is now enjoying the trappings of success. Despite the mundane messages (sex is good, stardom is fun, money is everything) and trite references to women (bitches, hos, chickens), Lil' Zane's album is interesting, if not outstanding. After all, who doesn't want to know what lurks in the dark corridors of a teenage mind?

Standouts are "Ways of the World," "Beautiful Feelin,' " and "Young World" (RealAudio excerpt), in which Zane the storyteller dishes tales of troubled teens. In these songs, the message is remarkably clear and positive: "always keep faith and always look forward." Elsewhere, Zane is sexy, flossy and a little thuggish. "What Must I Do" (RealAudio excerpt) is dedicated to "that one girl that every player wants," while "Partners Come Along Too," depicts a horny Zane & Co. tryin' to "bone" a "chicken." Things get even more thuggish on the compelling "Die Famous" (RealAudio excerpt) and the macho battle cry, "What's Up."

Zane talks tough and sounds pretty grown-up for a guy who's not yet legal. Whether his rhymes mature with his body remains to be seen.