Customer Reviews

Desire

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

One

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.

In the barren wasteland of the current hip hop desert, one tends to look at anything that doesn't sound exactly the same as the mainstream trash as something better than it truly is. If this album were released in 1994-2000, it would be considered in Pharoahe Monch's minor works. Surely we wouldn't place it with his seminal masterpiece Stress: The Extinction Agenda, or even the now defunct solo record Internal Affairs. This album has way too much sugary r & b hooks throughout, this from the same guy who posited "Why do you choose to listen to R & B?" Gun Talks is a standout cut, but haven't true Organized Konfusion fans already been down this road with Stray Bullet?
Pharoahe's skills on the mic are always going to be at the top of the game, the production and lack of subject matter needs to catch up. Mediocre and redundant.

This is my first Pharoah Monch album. Having listened to some of his collaborations over the years ('Dub Plate' w/Wyclef, 'Love' w/J Dilla, etc.), I knew he was going to have a classic album with this one. Well, at least it's classic compared to a lot of what's coming out these days.

The big problem with this disk is the production. I believe a great beat can save a bad MC, but a so-so beat cannot save a great MC, and that's the case here on 'What it is,' 'Gun Draws,' 'Hold On,' and 'Trilogy.' I haven't heard much from Mr. Porter before (Only 'Around the World' on Game's Doctor's Advocate album, which also wasn't that great), but after learning he learned under J Dilla and Dr. Dre, his work's really disappointing here.

Enough with that negative ish, you gotta love the intro to the album, a slave song that compliments many of the issues PM talks about on this CD. This naturally leads into 'Free,' which is as hard as any song released this year. Then The Alchemist produces 'Desire,' an incredibly soulful song that's probably the best on the album. A great beat compliments 'Push,' but as another reviewer commented it's not long enough. 'Welcome to the Terrodome' is a cover of the Public Enemy classic with a political introduction by Chuck D himself. It's as good as always, and Pharoah adds a bit of his own flavor here. 'Let's Go' is pretty good, a more laid back track compared to some of the other songs here. 'Body Baby' has the best beat and hook on the record, further proving that blues and hip hop mix rather nicely. 'Bar Tap' has a decent beat from one of my favorite producers at the moment, Black Milk (go cop his CD too, while you're at it), and it's also pretty funny. I love Erykah Badu, but she can only do so much for the boring 'Hold On,' but it's immediately redeemed by 'So Good,' one of the best pre-sex hip hop tracks of all time. Try playing this during a romantic night and see if clothes DON'T come off. Finally, 'Trilogy' does get better as the track progresses, so skipping ahead makes this an ok track.

But you gotta get the Best Buy version, which has the excellent 'Book of Judges.' This is what 'Gun Draws' should have been, it's angrier, more controversial and fresher. With this version, PM has just released the hip hop album of the year so far, though it could be replaced shortly by Common, Kanye West and Chamillionaire.

This album is great! If your not into the thoughtful rap then dont buy this CD. I feel like this CD was something different. There is no bull on this CD its str8 hip hop and thats something i havent heard in a WHILE!!! The lyrics, singing, and hooks are all great! That's true but some of the production is a little on the "I dont know" side. Over all its a great album!

A lot of times when an artist takes an eight-year hiatus between albums, the end result isn't very entertaining. And with rappers, the long delay is usually a result of potential subsequent albums being leaked, shelved, what have you (ask Ras Kass). But with Pharoahe Monch, that wasn't the case; he merely just took a few years off. Thankfully, he returns in fine form with Desire.

I'm not quite sure what the hell is going on on the album cover, but anyway, several of the songs feature R&B singers on the choruses (and sometimes during the verses). Fortunately, the results don't sound clichéd, as male crooner Showtyme helps Monch score on "Push". There's also a female singer named Mela Michinko that adds nice vocals to "Bar Tap" and "Let's Go" (as well as the aforementioned "Push"). And even the necessary keep-your-head-up song "Hold On" (with Erykah Badu) works.

If people are skeptical about the Mr. Porter-assisted "When the Gun Draws", don't worry; it's actually not what about what you might think; it's instead a very interesting story (but things don't ALWAYS work out that well; more on that later). The aforementioned "Let's Go" is a club starter that actually works, and the romantic "So Good" is just that.

There are two songs on here that I just couldn't get into. One is "Body Baby", and the other is the nine-minute album closer "The Trilogy" because, well, it details shootin' up the man who his wife cheated with (and I think his wife as well), and shootin' people up just ain't Pharoahe Monch. I also think that the metaphors during the second verse of the title track are a little too graphic. But this is still a great album, so if you desire some real conscious hip-hop, pick it up.

Anthony Rupert

I am a Pharoahe Monch fan and that's why I give "Desire" three stars. If I could I'd give it 3 & 1/2. He is very talented and i've listened to him since his Organized Konfusion days. To me a 13 song album should not have any weak points and this one does. Re-doing a "Public Enemy" song is a mistake for any artist no matter the talent. Using somewhat weak production and being a good artist is always a poor choice. Pharoahe is worth great beats, so he should use great beats. I did like a good percentage of the songs but there are only 13 and I paid more than $13 to buy the album. You do the math.

I've given this three stars in the context of other Monch releases, including the OK stuff. In the context of mainstream music, this joint is a 5 out of 5.

There's a couple of really good tracks. However, the single, Body Baby, I find extremely annoying and see it as a transparent attempt at crossing over to pure pop. Reminds me of Outkast's recent hits.

All up, this is a pop record.

By all means buy this joint before you go near anything else available at the moment, but if you don't have all of the OK releases, Prince Po's solo joints and Monch's solo effort, then start with them, not here. They may not be as slick, but they are much more enjoyable.

Desire represents the work of a powerful and talented artist, who knows his game, has perfected it and can now pump out whatever sound he chooses to. In this case, it seems he is looking for some well deserved reward for two decades worth of devotion to the hip hop game.

Not too many people can take the time off he did and make this good of album. There might be one or two tracks you may skip, but for the 10 out of 12 songs you wont skip a beat. The rhymes are are good as they get. His wit and all-around knowlegde is displayed throughout cd. A must buy or a must have!!!