Customer Reviews

Behind the Stained Glass

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

 

 

Hip Hop veteran and long time Wu-Tang affiliate, Killah Priest, comes with his 6th LP, "Behind The Stained Glass", in 2008. This album is supposed to be a follow-up album to 2007's release The Offering. Well, this release definitely follows up to his previous work. Killah Priest comes through with some deep, insightful, religous lyrics mixed with some street rhymes. It might just be me, but it sounds like his flow has lost a beat. It's still good, but it sounds different from last album and his other works. The production on this album is above average, with producers including DJ Woool (10 tracks), Dirty Needlez, 4th Disciple, and a few others. The production, again, seems a little toned down from the last album. The guest on this album include Jeni Fujita, 60 Second Assassin, Allah Sun, and Victorious. The guests don't degrade the album, but they don't improve it, either. Overall, this is a solid release from the veteran. It isn't at the top of the releases from 2008, but it is still worth picking up.


Lyrics- 8.5/10
Production- 8/10
Guest Appearances- 7.5/10
Overall Sound- 8/10

4

-Shaun B.

This is one of those very rare albums of all time.Because it doesnt focus on cussing.
It just goes to show how multi-talented,multi-faceted that Killah Priest is!
In this particular album he dont cuss to get his point across. In truth we need more albums out there like this.
In fact its almost "nearly invisible" except for in very small parts.The only parts which holds cussing is in very brief moments in Tracks No.3-"A Crying Heart," And, No.12-"Jeshurun." If you could even call those brief moments actual cuss words at all!
And even if so! Its the same single brief word used within both tracks. Then you dont hear any other reference of such words at all!

I admire when an Emcee doesnt've to go there.And not only does this album stick out in that positive area.But it also equally sticks out in the area of delivering straight pure spiritual knowledge.

This is one out of the many other things in which i admire about Killah Priest's talents. He proved in this "Particular one" that he doesnt've to use those type of verbal expressions in order to get his point across.
He is very talented enough to get his message across without resulting to those extremes.
Some people say this album isnt as good as his album "The Offering." But in truth,that view varies from individual to individual. I like them both! He always delivers knowledge in all of his albums.

The reality is this: When a reviewer is judging on laid back deeply spiritual content from track to track. Then such a person is going to say "Behind the Stained Glass. But if a person is going and looking for certain beats mixed with street issues,along with a certain degree of knowledge within certain tracks.Then such reviewers like that would pick "The Offering."
The bottom line is this:It always depends on what a person identifies with in the long run.
It's about what is truly lurking within their own state of being.

However for me, I pick "Behind the Stained Glass" As the better of the two when judging from a deeply spiritual context.
I like his dominant classic "Heavy Mental." And his "Behind the Stained Glass." These are the 2 i like the most so far!
I say so far! Because, he'll always keep coming out with freshly new and knowledgable albums. He's that Good!
When i pick albums I look for deeply spiritual content "without" alot of cursing and cussing.Of course thats very hard to find for the most part anymore.But he proved that it can be found.

However dont get me twisted with your interpretations. Because i've a great respect for, "The Offering"- As well! Because he always spits jewels of knowledge and wisdom in all of his albums.
In one of the tracks on this album he even can easily show you that he can come with that "Tupac vibe".
It doesnt surprise me though.Because Killah Priest is multi-talented,multi-faceted.
For "Me" he is the best Emcee out there by far!Now for someone else it would be whoever they vibe with. Again, it all depends on what a person identifies within their essence.

Peace Out!

There is really nothing I can say bad about this album. But I'll tell you what I found good. His lyrics are packed with introspective self examination and religious imagery galore. There is a lot to not be listened too but HEARD on this album. His delivery is calm and smooth almost like he's just having a casual discussion telling you what he believes. Also he is a very skilled storyteller. But first and foremost Priest is a FIERCE emcee and that is also abundantly shown on the CD. Finally I liked the fact that there is VERY little profanity to be found here.

I can't recommend this album enough.

Tight production....suave and calm deadly delivery...on a promise like Domino's "....will always deliver!" On some "Heavy Mental" level...4 real! Make that transaction!

Killah Priest returns with his 6th solo album and just 9 months after
his classic, "The Offering". Of his 6 albums, this is the lower half in my opinion, though it still is a solid album. I'd give 1 - 5 stars, 2 get 4.5, 2 get 4 (this being one), and 1 I'd give 3.5. Like always, he has deep thought provoking lyrics and he gets his message across in a different way, one that sets him apart from many, as a lyricist in my opinion. With 16 songs on here, I'd say 6 are ok, and the other 10 are good, a few being real good. Guests are very minimal, on only 3 of the 16 songs. production is decent as well. DJ Woool does 10 songs, 4th Disciple, Kount Fif, Thoro tracks, magnetic, C Sik, and Dirty Needlez each do 1 song. A nice album to have from a great MC.

#1 - 8.5
#2 - 8
#3 - 8
#4 - 7.5
#5 - 7.5
#6 - 9
#7 - 7
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 9 (f/ Allah Sun)
#10 - 8
#11 - 7.5
#12 - 7 (f/ victorious)
#13 - 9
#14 - 8 (f/ Victorius)
#15 - 7
#16 - 8.5

Walter Reed -- Brooklyn, NY
Check all my reviews

This album is recommended for anybody who loves truthful hip hop and spirtitual growth and elevation. Ever since B.I.B.L.E. on GZA's liquid swords album, KP has managed to amaze hip hop fans with his spiritual flows and mystical lyricism. Since then, all of KP's albums have been rock solid. With is knowledge, wisdom and versatile rhyme delivery on "Behind the Stained Glass", KP has proven once again that he belongs in Hip Hop's elite.My opinion is that this is definitely one of his best albums.

The Priest was back once again with another solid album this time around. Taking his listeners on a journey of his progress and development over the years, KP comes with one of his most thorough projects to date, marking another classic. The only thing Priest fans will be upset with is not knowing about its original release date. Rarely will you find a dominant MC able to captivate and visualize what the Priest (KP) is giving. It's like an extended version of the offering- but better. Hip Hop fans will appreciate his dexterity and spiritual views blended in with that hard core aspect of reality- Despite what the critics say. With mind boggling flows and unexpectedly surprising production, fans are able to step deep into the KP chamber and realize the inner truth of life. Still waiting on another Sunz of Man album as well.

Favorite Joints to Bump: A Crying Heart
Redemption
I Believe
4 Tomorrow
Profits of Man
Jeshurun
Born to Die

Ten years on from his first solo album Heavy Mental, Priest has returned with another masterpiece. Most hip hop purists know that The Offering was arguably the best release of 2007 and Priest has changed the tempo yet again and released what should be the best album of 2008.

Behind the Stained Glass is Priest's deepest piece of work yet. The album is entrenched in spirituality and emotion and has Priest's trademark lyrical visual imagery stamped on every track.

I'll start by stating that no words can do justice to this album but I'll do the best review that I can.

'I Believe' starts the album off on a strong note and has Priest straight off declaring that he is again back and that his spirit is still strong.

'4 Tomorrow' is a beautiful track that highlights the problems of alcohol and substance abuse amongst Priest's community. The track has Priest sharing his experience of losing his sister and I'm sure that in time this song will mean a lot to people who have lost someone to a similar scourge.

'A Crying Heart' is a strong track produced by Thoro Tracks and again has Priest dropping verses about the social ills of this world.

'Hood Nursery' is one of the catchier tunes on the album and is a form of grimy nursery rhymes.

'Redemption' is where the production of DJ Woool hits another level and it really works well with Priest on this track. Priest comes across strongly as a prophet sharing his journey of how he has found divinity and redeemed himself. This song is what the 'Ancient of days' would tell you, it holds firm to the old teachings and the original covenant.

'Profits of man' is another beautiful track. Priest takes listeners on a journey of his career and it is remarkable the way in which the story is told. 60 Second Assassin drops in at the end of the track and whilst he is not technically dropping a verse his words take the track to another level and is heartfelt.

'The World' was produced by Canadian DJ C-Sik and is Priest dropping straight jewels from The Bible in a way that is easily understood. The song is short but sweet.

'Vintage' is produced by Dirty Needlez of Godz Wrath and is similar in production to the other works in The Offering yet it is much deeper and more at home on Behind The Stained Glass. An excellent description of how Deuteronomy ties in with the current situation around Priest.

'Looking Glass' is another superb track with a beautiful chorus by Allah Sun and production by 4th Disciple. The track details Priest's struggle in the first verse, follows up with a warning about following false deceivers in the second verse before closing out with a verse describing the various religious movements in the black community from the NOI onwards.

'I Am' could be the deepest track on the album. Superb production again by DJ Woool and Priest dropping pure jewels again. My words cannot do justice to the depth of this track.

'The Beloved' is Priest again urging us to rise above our current situation.

'Jeshurun' is another really strong song and a warning of things to come. Listen to this song and you've officially been warned. Look into what Priest is telling you to question.

'Gods Time' is yet another spiritually strong track and a timely warning of the impending time of god.

'Born to die' is Priest dropping verses over a Woool piano loop. Another strong song.

'O Emmanuel' has unique production and a real spiritual feel to the track. The chorus is absolute beauty singing for the remnant of Israel. Priest is dropping more jewels yet again.

This is Priest's deepest work thus far and is a masterpiece of pure beauty. Heavy Mental was the arrival of knowledge, The Offering was a lyrical masterpiece that no other artist could touch lyrically and Behind the Stained Glass is a spiritual masterpiece and I doubt any artist could delve as deep as the Priest.

Buy all three albums, they are an investment that you will not regret!

Good album, beats 3/5, lyrics 4/5. Overall 3.5/5 - good album. Let's hope he makes up with God's Wrath or get Wu-Elements to produce.