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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
8 years later, Pharoahe Monch does it again, July 19, 2007
I remember Pharoahe Monch from Organized Konfusion, but to be honest with you other than "Fudge Pudge" with O.C. and (Crush, Kill, Destroy) "Stress" I couldn't tell you too much about them. I was blinded by A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Gang Starr, EPMD, and several others from those days, so I didn't get around into knowing too much about Organized Konfusion. In 1999, I definitely had to start paying attention to Pharoahe Monch once I heard "Simon Says". It was hard for me to believe that Pharoahe could produce a track that was so tight and have the lyrics to back them up. Internal Affairs was definitely a nice, versatile CD. You had a little bit of everything on this CD. My favorite track was the "Simon Says (Remix)" because of the dope Redman verse but you still had classic tracks like the MOP featured "No Mercy", "The Next S____" featuring Busta Rhymes, "The Truth" w/Common and Talib Kweli, "Queens" and "Behind Closed Doors".
I figured that Pharoahe would wait a couple of years and then release another CD but I never figured that there would be 8 years inbetween releases. He attempted to hold us over with tracks like "The Life" w/Styles P., "Guerilla Monsoon Rap" w/Black Thought and Talib Kweli from Talib's "Quality" CD and "Oh No" which featured Mos Def & Nate Dogg from the Lyricist Lounge Volume 2 CD.
One of my boys from high school called me and told me that Pharoahe Monch was releasing another CD and I honestly didn't believe him. Finally, I realized that "Desire" would be droppin' soon. The "Intro" sets the tone for the first part of the CD. Once you hear the beat for "Free" start blaring out of the stereo, you almost forget that it was 8 years between releases. Pharoahe drops some knowledge for people who haven't heard a CD displaying an actual message since Common's "Be" CD. Pharoahe mixes in his actual MC skills while spreading knowledge at the same time and that's actually a good thing. The Alchemist stops by to produce my favorite track on this CD and that is the title track. "Desire" has a nice beat to it but Pharoahe's lyrics are what you will want to focus on this time around. They will make you forget about the beat altogether, as well as, Showtyme sounding like K-Ci, during his sober days, on the track. Once you hear the beat to "Push" you'll wish the track was alot longer. Pharoahe starts the track trying to harmonize but he does his best when he raps his verse at the end of the track. Showtyme, Mela Machinko & the horns from Tower Of Power all add a nice flavor to the track. This is definitely one of the best beats on the CD. "Welcome To The Terrordome" is a remake of the Public Enemy track that was featured on "Fear Of A Black Planet". Chuck D even starts the track with a spoken word intro and Pharoahe Monch adds his own flavor to the track with some new lines to the song on Verse 2 of the song. "What It Is" has Pharoahe Monch simply displaying his MC skills. The track actually sounds like a freestyle and T. Jamerson gives Pharoahe a nice beat as well. Just like the track "Push", you'll have yourself wishing that the track was alot longer that it ends up being. "When The Gun Draws" is produced by Denaun Porter from D12 and from what I understand it is a sequel to the Organized Konfusion track "Stray Bullet". Some people may see the track as being controversial but all I see is a MC who is simply telling it like it is. People have been at the candy shop for so long buying a "drank", that anytime someone makes a song that you actually have to think about, then some people act like a crime has been commited. That's a shame. "Let's Go" is a pretty good track especially because of Pharoahe Monch's lyrics. My only disappointment is that the beat sounds just like "Safe To Say (The Incredible)" from Fat Joe's "All Or Nothing" CD. "Body Baby" is clearly a track made to be a single for "Desire". It might not catch you the first time you listen to it, but the more you listen to the track, the more it will grow on you. Most people will find the track a nice change of pace to the serious tone that is on the majority of the CD. "Bar Tap" might be the worst track on this CD. However, 1 bad track on a 13 track CD is definitely not a problem compared to some of these rap CDs that have been coming out lately. "Hold On" features Erykah Badu and the track has Pharoahe spreading positive messages throughout the song. "So Good" is Pharoahe's dedication to the ladies as he attempts to get grown and sexy over a nice midtempo track. "Trilogy" ends up being a 3 part track where Pharoahe describes a situation where a man has found that his wife has cheated with his best friend and he finds the 2 of them together. The 3 part track ends up being over 9 minutes and adds different perspectives of what the man in question would be thinking after seeing the 2 of them together and the actions that follow afterwards. Dwele adds some smooth vocals and horns to the 2nd part of the Trilogy and this track should definitely end up being one of your favorites on "Desire".
Overall, once you listen to "Desire" a couple of times, you'll scratch your head wondering why Pharoahe Monch waited 8 years before he dropped another CD. With the way hip hop is going nowadays we need more CDs that you can actually listen to and learn something from. If you're a fan of any of Pharoahe Monch's past work with Organized Konfusion or "Internal Affairs", then you should also pick up "Desire".
James' Top 6
1) Desire
2) Free
3) Push
4) Gun Draws
5) What It Is
6) Trilogy
Honorable Mention:
Welcome To The Terrordome
Hold On w/Erykah Badu
So Good
Body Baby
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Return of the Pharoahe!!!!!!!!!!!, June 26, 2007
It has been a long time (8 years to be exact) since we have heard a full length album from P Monch. Now that Desire has finally been released, Hip hop has taken another turn in the right direction. The album touches on many different points from political issues (when the gun draws), to a dope love song (So good), to just flat out dope lyrics (what it is). Not only are the lyrics dope on this album, Pharoahe's delivery of the lyrics are just as amazing. Desire is a great album that has been a long time coming and I am glad it is finally here. This is a must have for your collection. Also check out Prince Po's (other half of organized konfusion for those that are sleeping) releases they are just as dope.
P.S. if you are ignorant or a fan of artists that focus on using ebonics (young jeezy, rich boy etc.) you might want to get a dictionary before listening to the album. Pharoahe actually uses english and some big words to rhyme with.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pharoahe Monch - Desire , July 14, 2007
Pharoahe Monch (A.K.A. Troy Donald Jamerson) returns with sophomore album "Desire" eight years after the release of his debut album "Internal Affairs". The Queens MC and former member of Organized Konfusion provides a thirteen track release which features appearances from Showtyme, Mela Machinko, Tower of Power, Denaun Porter (of D12), Erykah Badu, Dwele and Tone. Pharoahe opens the album up with something different, a half minute gosepl freedom chorus, which is followed up by "Free", Pharoahe Monch rhymes with confidence on this opener providing a solid cut. My favourite track on this release is "Desire" which features an appearance from Showtyme, Pharoahe Monch provides a highlight track with this memorable contribution. Alchemist produces the track and samples M.O.P. One of the album's three singles is "Push" which has Pharoahe teaming up with Shoytyme, Mela Machinko and Tower of Power for another strong track which contains interpolations from Josef Zawinul's "Country Preacher" . P-Monch takes his audience right into the war zone with "Welcome To The Terrordome", which is followed up by "What It Is" a grimy cut and a Pharoahe Monch/Denaun Porter collaboration with "When The Gun Draws". Pharoahe Monch reps himself on "Let's Go" which features vocals from singer Mela Machinko. All these track's are laced with darker production which is in line with Pharoahe's lyrics. I find the production repetitive, and being that I don't hang to P-Monch's every word not that memorable. Another of the album's single's follows in "Body Baby", which features some creative production from Pharoahe Monch and Denaun Porter. Up and coming producer/MC Black Milk handles the production on "Bar Tap" which features some more background singing from Mela Machinko. One of the album's deepest track's is "Hold On" a track where Pharoahe Monch tells different stories of struggle and racism backed by some soulful vocals from the talented Erykah Badu. "So Good" is just that a feel good track which vibes well, Pharoahe Monch talks to a special lady on this laidback cut. "The Trilogy" is a creative cut, running in at over nine minutes and featuring appearances from Denaun Porter, Dwele and Tone. I expect to get some negative votes because I don't follow the crowd and automatically give every highly acclaimed album 5 stars. Musical taste is subjective. "Desire" is an original and solid album which will be a definite pickup for fans of Pharoahe Monch. 3.5.
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