Being confined to house arrest gives a man a long time to think.

Galileo did some of his finest work while living his life confined to his own home.

The same might soon be said about T.I., who recorded his newest album, Paper Trail, while under house arrest in connection with felony gun possession charges.

He took advantage of the free time, meticulously tuning his rhymes for the new release and coming up with an album that works.

The album's title, Paper Trail, is named such because this is the first time since his debut album T.I. that wrote down his lyrics in advance -- just another example of the extra precision he exercised in recording it.

The album represents a return to form for the "King of the South," whose last album failed to live up to expectations. T.I. vs. T.I.P., T.I.'s 2007 release, was a concept album that pitted T.I. against his evil alter ego in a full-album mock rap battle. Despite the ambition behind it, the record didn't win over critics.

And so, T.I. attacks Paper Trail with the fury of a man who hasn't been getting his due. On the best tracks, his raps are earnest and it's easy to hear the fire burning inside him. There are a few lighter songs to break up all the seriousness, but this is definitely a record cut by a man with a lot on his mind.

"No Matter What" plays like a sequel to Kanye West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing." The chorus even has a "haha!" like Kanye in his song. This is T.I.'s response to anyone who perceived weakness in him, but it doesn't sound angry so much as reverent.

Danja's production on "No Matter What" plays a big part in that vibe. The beat on the song is driven by gospel-inflected warbling organ with synth riding on top. It's easy to picture T.I. in a cathedral, sun shining through the stained glass windows. "Revenge is best served as a cold dish," he raps, and it makes sense. After all, his dish has had a long time to cool with all that time cooped up.

"Live Your Life" samples "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone, more popularly known in the United States as the song from the "Numa Numa" Internet fad. Rihanna sings new lyrics over the original sample and the song quickly becomes infectious.

Obviously, with an album this long (more than 70 minutes), there are inevitable low points. However, though some of the club-worthy tracks seem like throwaways ("Porn Star" and "Swing Ya Rag"), T.I.'s flow never flags.

The Kanye West-produced "Swagga Like Us" features verses by West, Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne over a sample from M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." The sentiment might as well be the theme for the entire album. T.I. emerged from a tough year with his swagger intact, and it shows. His verse outdoes all three of those contributed by the heavyweights he brought together for the song.

On the calmer tracks, T.I.'s flow sounds almost lazy. His Southern roots show as he drawls over mid-tempo tracks like "You Ain't Missin' Nothing." It might be smooth, but don't be fooled. The emotion is still there.

It all culminates with "Dead and Gone." Justin Timberlake sings the mournful chorus, "The old me's dead and gone," and T.I. ratchets up his flow another notch.

Though the beat is lumbering, dark and orchestral, his verses cut through like machine gun fire. T.I.'s half of the chorus makes his intentions very apparent: "That part of me left yesterday/The heart of me is strong today/No regrets I'm blessed to say/The old me dead and gone away."

It's a perfect way to end the album. T.I.'s time at home changed him, but he's back and here to stay.

Sounds Like: Kanye West

Download: "No Matter

What"

Grade: B