Customer Reviews

Humboldt Beginnings

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a pretty solid CD from the group The Pharcyde. If you are expecting another "Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde" you might be a little disappointed because the group has grown much since that 1992 debut. There is no high pitched rapper and the rhymes don't quite have that comedic edge as their early work. The album definitely has a West Coast feel to it production wise artists like Mystic, Heiroglyphics, Dj Quik, Digital Underground and Planet Asia came to mind. Speaking of Heiro, Opio is featured on an interlude not listed in the CD credits. Songs that I enjoyed include "Illusions," "Right B4," and "The Bomb." Pharcyde gets their reggae on a little bit with the song "Mixed Greens." Smoking weed is a common theme on the album. I enjoyed the album and the CD packaging is quite unique similar to Estheros "Wikked Lil Girls," the CD comes in a soft light blue jacket verses the standard jewel case.

Dorrie from Thabiz

Much like the first review listed for this album, it took a couple listens before i really got into it but im very much a fan of it. It isnt groundbreaking hip-hop or anything like their early albums, but there are definately some classic tracks on it, including Illusions, Bongloads 2, and Choices.My only knock on the album would be its one-track subject matter. Like the person who rated this album one star, it does get a bit old having every single song about just weed, but i still like the songs so i cant complain too much. With a title like Humboldt Beginnings you sort of have to expect it, but other than that, its a good album and very much worth owning if youre a pharcyde fan.

This album is great. By far better then "Plain Rap". Humboldt actually brings back memories of BR2TP and Labcab which are the most memorable yrs of the Cyde in my mind. I think this album will be considered a great Cyde album in 1 yr, it may be a bit ahead of it's time. Pick this album up!

By far their most "Pharcyde-ish" sound since LabCabin - the record sounds, looks and feels like a Pharcyde record. Outstanding production, lyrics, beats - you name it - this record is what Pharcyde fans have been waiting to hear since Passin' Me By and Runnin' were on the charts - buy with confindence - you WILL love this record.

Ok, on first listen to this album I didn't get it. The beats are almost ahead of their time on this album.

The second time through I began to pick up the vibe, now I love this album.

The beats have a production to them that uses a lot of keyboards and synths, not much scratching. They are very layered though, in sort of a Outkast way.

As always, no one rhymes and harmonizes like the Pharcyde. I love their unique style. We need more Pharcyde. If you are a fan you will like this album. It just took me a little bit to catch up to their progression. And they have made one. This one sounds a lot different than their last album, but in a catchier and more experimental way.

Give this album a chance to sink in and the 2nd time through you will be up to speed with the Pharcyde. I really like this album.

The funny thing is I was going to oringinally write in with a negative review after my first listen. But I thought; no, I need to give this more of a chance, the Pharcyde have been good to me.

Sure enough, now I'm loving it.

The bipolar ranking this is getting (either 1 or 5 stars in most cases) indicates a dependancy on taste. You'll either love this or hate it. Trancsend the narrow subject matter and just appreciate their flow and the truly INFECTIOUS BEATS. This is not some derivative garbage, I agree this could be a year ahead of its time. I couldn't have asked for anything more from the Pharcyde as a follow up, beyond a reunion of all 4 members.

I was diggin for some cd's to purchase and came across this new Pharcyde album, Humboldt Beginnings. I have been waiting for Pharcyde to drop an album since Plain Rap. This album is dopeness from the moment you press play to the moment you hit repeat since you will want to hear it again and again. I know Tre and Fatlip are missing but as I listened to this new album I never missed them or noticed they were not there. Imani and Bootie Brown are holding it down and doing it big for the Cyde. Dont miss out on this album, probably the best of 2004.

The long awaited new album from hip-hip legends does not disappoint. Humboldt Beginnings is super solid and funky throughout. A winner and easily one of the best releases this year.

Now how can you go on rippin the Cyde,
If you claim to be down since that one bizzare ride
Back to the cabin & into plain rap
The beats that they use now ain't really that whack
Just listen a little closer to the songs about green
About Humbolt beginings and spaceboogie down dreams
About reinventing themselves and learning to grow
Never once speaking about a b***h or a ho
Staying true to themselves and true to the game
Not all about the money, fortune, and fame
Trying to be real without the Lip and Tre too
Why do you think they'll make the record for just you
When you claim to be down
With that Cyde that is Phar
Though you won't even play their music in your car
So stop hating on these dudes that still make good rap
And buy yourself the new Nelly cause you'll be more into that.

Alright, this is definitely the Pharcyde closer to the Labcabin era. But they are a little too obsessed with herb on this album. I mean, I get it, they smoke all the time....The only group I accepted that was Bone Thugs and Harmony, and that's cause they harmonized it so well that you just accepted what the music was telling you. Um...some experimental beats and some decent sampled tracks make this album a must get for a devoted pharcyde fan. I will wish the whole group was still together though to feel the dynamicism of their diff. voices.