Customer Reviews

Awakening

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The best way to describe this album is to combine the reviews on
this site. When PMD setit off, he does so tightly but unfortunatly there's afew "fillers" on this album that kinda take the shine off it. But on the real, the best tracks on here
are the ones he does on the solo tip. "Str8 from the heart",
"hiphop 101", "87 to present", "buckwild", the awakening" and
"p's still dangerous" are nothing short of blazing!!! They show
what PMD brings to the game. Like another reviewer said, i dont
think PMD will ever be reknowned for his lyrical prowess, its
because he has a tight flow with good strong rhymes+always has
that b-boy attitude tht so many of these cats nowadays lack. Now thats REAL TO ME!! Apart from "know what i mean" his new crew arent coming up with goods like the way the original HIT
SQUAD did so tracks like "l.i. to l.e.s", "all's i need"+"still a customer" are letdowns. The other high points are "look at you now" (EPMD reunion) and "champions" (w/ cypress hill). A nice return from PMD and hopefully we wont be kept waiting as
long for his next album. Go cop this.

PMD blasts back with an outstanding solo effort that eclipses any of his or Erick's previous solo work. The production is flawless and PMD still brings the ruff rugged 'n' raw flow that made him famous. Enlisting some of today's hottest producers like Pete Rock, Alchemist, Ghetto Pros, Erick Sermon, DJ Muggs, Kutmasta Kurt, among others, they supply the soundscape that is almost flawless. (To writer of the first review: Please read the credits next time!) Standout tracks include "Buckwild," which displays the classic PMD flow, "Look At U Now" where he reunites with E, and "Straight From the Heart," a tale of his history and what is wrong with the current rap game. Any fan of EPMD will LOVE this album so do yourself a favor and pick it up!!!

Listen, if you're a fan of Hip Hop, a true fan, you will like this album. This is not Rap n' Bullsh*t.... no Smelly Nelly or 50 pennies or whatever clown is on the radio now. PMD is from the old school, before they turned Hip-Hop to rap. This album, while not a "classic", is very well done. All of Parrish's stuff is well produced, well thought out and put together almost seamlessly. This album will have you banging your head up and down whether in the car, at home, or riding your bike. Only 1 track that he could have done away with from this album, the rest is banging. Don't sleep on Don Fu... that kid can SPIT LYRICS, and his flow is DISGUSTING. Get this album...if you have a Hip-Hop collection this needs to be in it.

This PMD album is off the Chain..It is an album only for true lovers of hip-Hop, Outkast, Eminem, and 50 cent fans should avoid this album like the plague..This album is the truth. Out of the 15 or so songs on here only two at the most seem like filler material, but even that is better than anything you will find on those above artists albums. Only the skits slow this album down. Parrish raps with K-Solo,Fat Joe, E Sermon, and B-Real and Drayzee from Das Efx, and they are all excellent combinations. Pete Rock, Alchemist, Dj Honda and Dj Muggs, and Kutmaster Kurt all contrubute beats on this album and parrish does most of the producing for the others, and i promise they are all tight azz real hip hop beats..It is mandatory to check out song #9 by Kutmaster Kurt and song 12 by Muggs..Two of the best beats you can find..and Parrish has tight lyrics every time.
Some people will have a problem with the album however because there are some other guest appearances by some group from Dayton, Ohio that noone ever has heard of. Don't dismiss them so quick because you never heard of them, they actually are ok except for one guy who sounds like he stole ODB's style and tamed it down..Their pretty good though and make parrish shine even more cuz the listener is now kind of looking forward to PMD getting on the track and burning it. This is Grown Man music, buyer beware. i do believe parrish Smith might have a case for being in the Top 5 Mc'S of all time. Who else has has many incredible albums as him?.without ever going pop..Boys and Girls the answer to that question is noone..check the facts..Every EPMD album is a million times better than any Eminem,Jayz, Outkast, or Nelly album..And his voice will outlast the old school rappers as well..Parrish Smith Top 5 of All Time..
Check the review from the person from Connecticut..that was written by his record label..this review is written by a true head..check my other reviews to see if Im playing or not..

I spotted this CD simply by browsing today. I was a bit surprised to see that PMD had a new solo joint, titled "The Awakening." The first red flag was that the cd was apparently dated 2003. How did I not here about this release. Oh well, I placed my faith in hearing some new tracks from an old school heavyweight. I have been a fan of EPMD for 16 years. I remember when "Strictly Business" dropped in 88', and have placed them in my top 10 ever since. Anyway, the second I popped the cd in my car I sensed disappointment. The opening track sounded mumbled, incoherent, and downright confusing. I proceeded to skip through the tracks, so that I could assess the damage. Intead of rating the songs one by one, I'll give you more a summary of the "big picture." First problem is the actual music. All of the songs suffer through that same "carbon copy, manufactured, no talent, wannabe like every other sellout, boring computerized beats." The production, while not terrible, also suffers the same old "run of the mill" sound plagued by today's no talent so-called rap artists. I cram to understand why after nearly 2 decades in the game, would PMD try so hard to fit in with rappers nearly half his age. Why not get ill-produced tracks from legends in the field, such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, or The Alchemist, just to name a few. Other old schoolers with recent comebacks have succeeded in way better production and beats. Freddie Foxxx, Craig G., KRS-One, and Masta Ace are a few pioneers who have returned to great form through tight production and street-flavored beats. Next problem is the guest appearances. Not only is there way too many, but some outshine PMD in both lyrical flow and delivery. Let's face it, PMD has never been the most exhilirating MC to grip a mic in the first place. However, in EPMD, Erick Sermon complimented his laid back style perfectly. They were the perfect match, and without E Dub by his side Parrish sounds old and tired. Fortunate for him, Erick Sermon does not share this problem in the solo department. There is one track with EPMD on here, which brings back a little of the magic missing throughout this cd. Which leads me to ask the question WHY DID EPMD OFFICIALLY GO "OUT OF BUSINESS???" Maybe because Erick Sermon has a huge ego and considers himself a "big time solo artist superstar." That is one theory. Another is that they have become too independent of each other in their solo careers over the years to actually carry on a realistic partnersip. Whatever the reason, I will respect them for it and continue to support their legendary status as a fan. Nothing can ever take away what they accomplished as a team between 1987-1999. As for Parrish, this CD is similar to his other solo efforts. Boring, repetitive, and lacking in flavor and vitality. I give it 2 stars out of respect.

There is so much to say about PMD and his latest release, particulary when you bring his other solo albumns into the picture. Keeping it short: lyrically, P has lost a step -- probably two. Bragging about rhyme prowess is essential, no matter how many years you have in the game. Young and older cats do this fine, however keeping a balance is almost never achieved. The problem I have with rap music today is that the young cats only talk about money and shine, whereas older cats like P seem to only talk about how they *deserve* props and a legendary status. If you have to talk about it, you might not deserve it. Production wise, the albumn is OK. Lyrically, P is redundant content wise, and I can't even tell you how many times he used his own rhymes from the past. With a title like "Awakening", I was expecting much more from P. How about more about how the game can currupt you? How about touching on some social issues? Listen, there are cats on street corners in Berkeley, CA freestyling better than what P is writing. I don't know what happened. In 91, P was untouchable. It's 2003 and P is boring. All that said, I bought the albumn because it is PMD. It's nothing short of great hearing him flow again.

I love this album from PMD, this is a breath of fresh air from this trash out there today. If you are a fan of EMPD and want a solo from PMD with better production than his previous solo efforts you should cop this, period....