Customer Reviews

Internal Affairs

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Talk about going for the throat.

Pharoahe Monch doesn't mess around when it comes to his music. He wants it loud, right in your face, and his lyrics are the same way. As half of Organized Konfusion, he has consistently held it down as a lyrical heavyweight, constructing complex rhymes that deal with multiple ideas at once. All in all, it makes for one BANGIN' album. When those horns start layin' that nasty loop for "Simon Says," you KNOW it's on.

This is a consistently good, high-energy album that in my opinion is DEFinitely in contention for tightest release of the year. Pharoahe handles the bulk of the production (admirably, might I add), and the rest he delegates to some of New York's nicer hardcore beatmakers, the likes of Diamond D and others.

Honestly, there isn't a song on this album that can be pegged as bad. From the rollicking "Intro" to the ominous/paranoid "Behind Closed Doors" to the smooth guitar licks of "The Light," it's just one jewel after another.

And while some of the highlight tracks are collabos (Common and Talib Kweli lend a hand to the string-laden "The Light," M.O.P. stomps holes in the heavy "No Mercy," even Busta Rhymes guests on the Spanish-inflected "The Next Sh*t"), the real meat of this album comes when Pharoahe rolls solo. "Queens" is a round-the-way paean to his hometown that bumps like a champ, and even tracks with no concept behind them are still made likable by the banging production and Monch's clever wordplay.

But the pinnacle of this album comes early, in the form of "Rape," where lines like "Witness a nigga who will take rap and chase it/To unoccupied dimly lit staircases and rape it" illustrate the borderline-disturbing metaphor for Monch's lyrical skill. It's a brilliant song (albeit a little sensitive of a topic), one that won't soon be forgotten.

Do yourself a favor. Get wise to the real hip-hop and buy this album.

If Mos Def's superb solo debut wasn't enough to let you know that losing a partner doesn't mean losing musical focus then let Pharoahe Monch tell you. Actually, both solo albums surpass their groups' last efforts. But Pharoahe's triumph is more of a comeback than anything. See, Pharoahe has tasted critical glory despite being commercially ignored. Organized Konfusion's first record, O.K. and especailly the follow up, Stress: The Extinction Agenda are considered underground classics. And in case you didn't know, the headline of this review comes courtesy of a line from the Stress track "Thirteen". "Thirteen" is one of many tracks that preceeded the intellectual edge found on many parts of Internal Affairs. Long time Organized heads will reminisce of Pharoahe's "Stray Bullet" after hearing concept gems like "Rape". It probably sounds redundant too speak on how dope both Simon Says and the remix are but for this review it is very relevent. See, Internal Affairs works because he has always been regarded as one of the illest, but nearly a decade in the game has also given Pharoahe an advantage on knowing the game of the beast, or industry, as rhyme mortals would say. This time around Pharoahe doesn't just make a dope album, he constructs one. He chooses guest that truly compliment tracks. This ideology is exemplified best on the rough, adreneline filled "No Mercy" featuring the always rugged, raw stylings of M.O.P. Common and the always hungry Talib Kweli also make worthy contributions to the insightful track "The Truth". He's also consistent in drawing the line between commercial, undergound, and just plain enjoyable. Internal Affairs stumbles only when Pharoahe strays too far one way. The Organized Konfusion reunion, "God Send" is too slumber to match the sonic power of the rest of the album, while the Busta Rhymes fused "The Next S#$t" sounds like filler. But the positive far outweigh the negative. Internal Affairs is a groundbreaking solo effort that is sure to keep heads noddin' well into the new millenium.

Organized Konfusion is not only the group Pharoahe Monch is in, but it also describes his style. His wickedly twisted flow and lyrics might not appeal at first listen, but after repeated listens it grows on you. The head-nodding, self-produced, ever popular first single "Simon Says" is just a sampling of Pharoahe's creativeness. He produced five of his own tracks on here, another of which is "Behind Closed Doors," a raw, bangin track. On the Alchemist-produced "No Mercy," M.O.P. and Monch combine for a hyped-up energy overdose, definitely destined to satisfy the listener (and wake up the neighbors). And he ends the album with an all-star line-up on the "Simon Says" remix, featuring the likes of Red & Meth, Busta Rhymes, & more. Overall, this album is full of rawness. Maybe not a classic, but since 4.5 is not an option, I've rounded up. Either way, this album is bangin, definitely a worthy buy.

Pharoahe Monch's Internal Affairs is nothing short of a musical masterpiece. Monch manages to raise the bar for MCs in every category. He remains peerless, yeah I said it, peerless with his lyrical ability. Never has there been such complexity married with intelligence,creativity, flow, and scope. He excels at every type of song. On "Queens" he tells a compelling story, on "Get the F Up" he makes you do just that. He spits battle rhymes all over the album. "Behind Closed Doors" is literally laced:" Cut off his hand and send his girl multiple-finger sandwiches. If she manages to do damages, put her in bandages!" "Rape" is a concept track on which he cunningly describes this metaphor for what he does to beats. Monch and guests Common and Talib Kweli delve deep into the meaning of "Truth" on the track of the same name. What separates Monch from the rest are his breathtaking skills. What separates his album from the competition is the scope of what he attempts. He tries to do it all with one album, and the result is an album that gets better with each listen. Trust me. GO GET IT!

It's a real shame this album is out of print now, I'm glad I picked up a copy when it first came out.

Beats are tight especially on tracks like "Queens", "No Mercy", "The Light" and "The Truth". "Simon Says" features a beat you mighta heard before, from the old Godzilla movies (I think he actually got sued for sampling it).

Lyrics are sick as ever with Pharoahe using clever story telling, punchlines and metaphors to get his point across. He tells a grim story on "Queens" of a dude who gets caught up in the streets. Even on the intro he gets ridiculous with claims like

"Every syllable of mine is an umbilical cord through time, For the sick typical niggaz who choose to pick pitiful rhymes"

I especially like the lyrics on "The Truth", my favorite beat of the album nonetheless (provided by Diamond). All three emcees, Pharoahe, Common, Kweli are on point speaking about the meaning of the truth. Pharoahe puts it like this

"Truth brings light, light refracts off the mirror
Visions of yourself and error could never clearer
The truth is that you ugly, not on the outside
But in the inside on the outside you frontin you lovely
The discovery of these things and all are well-hidden
But when you in denial of self it is forbidden, that's the truth"


I rate it 4 stars only because I feel like some of the beats have this club feel to them with wild drums and catchy sounds, but those tracks may be what gets an otherwise non-underground hiphop listener to spin this disc.

Overall, 4 stars means buy this album by any means necessary.

Hmm I got this album quite late I see. Reading the comment here that convinced me to buy this album says Monch has peerless lyrical ability. Well of course I had to compare this to all the rage right now, Eminem. I've found this album proves Monch has everything Eminem has, plus MUSIC (as compared to a single guitar pluck that has it's pitched change a few times to make a song) and sanity. Indeed, Monch has near-peerless lyrical ability best demonstrated on the (unfortunately short) raw track, Rape. Ingenious, vulgar metaphors =)

Every track has way-above-average lyrics, but my favorites are the ones with the music that goes over the top: Behind Closed Doors, Queens, No Mercy, The Light, and The Truth. The CD ends with the excellent remixed addition to a classic, Simon Says, weighing in at about 6 minutes.

The only fault I can find with this CD is that there isn't enough of it; it's about 54 minutes. As far as I can tell, this was the best album of 1999...

Yo,I love this cd.Its one of my favorite underground albums,and I consider it one of the best in the underground.No wonder he is surpose to is going to Shady/Aftermath.He one of the best of this time.But now I hear he is going to The Inc??But he should get another album out,cause his debut was surperb.Pharoahe your fans are waiting?.$$

While the masses ride Eminem's jock, proclaiming him to be the best emcee ever to touch a mic stand, Monch once again comes with it...I didn't bring large expectations to 'Internal Affairs'; in fact I put off its purchase for almost a year after the Oct. '99 drop date because of hearing 'Simon Says' on the radio. When I heard that song I didn't even recognize the voice (despite being a long-time OK fan). Then I found out it was Monch and I almost started bawling, thinking another top shelf lyricist had deserted those fans faithful to hip hop's essence (of whom there seem to be only about 100 left).

I had to eat my negative thoughts, because the LP turned out to be far better than I thought. 'Simon Says' grew on me; part of the reason I think Monch is so great is that he keeps shifting lyrical ground. I finally had to admit that, even with what I initally called a 'dumbed down' lyrical style, he still was tight.

'Rape' and 'The Light' are two of the other standouts here. 'Stray Bullet' from Organized Konfusion's Extinction Agenda LP really opened my eyes to new ways of metaphors and 'taking you there' storytelling. With 'Rape' Monch does it again, completely stepping away from what the title suggests. Its track doesn't really turn me on but the lyrics come correct. 'The Light' is that rarest of animals, the hip hop love song that doesn't completely sink into all-night hedonism; it allows you to draw some pictures for yourself. Thank God there are rappers who know how to rein it in when they need to.

'Hell' featuring Canibus was my favorite (along with 'Simon') to play in the car with the windows down, cranked to 10. To those who think that lyrical style is sorely missing in hip hop-and it is-just listen to Monch's first verse here, as he toys with alliteration.

This album isn't a classic-a few too many songs worthy of the FF button. However, it's been slept on far too much; or more accurately, Pharoahe Monch has. So the masses can keep their DMXs and Ja Rules who find a formula and cling for dear life. I'll take Monch...

Pharoahe Monch is really in a league by himself when it comes to lyrical dexterity and sheer delivery of tongue twisting lines. His vocabulary his advanced and he doesn't just use words just to be using them he does it with skill that most mc's only dream to have. He has mastered the art of flow and he never gets boring. As a matter of fact Pharoahe Monch is one of the best emcees I have ever heard, and trust me I have everything from the Big Tymers to Brotha lynch Hung, to Big L, to Snoop to Bubba Sparxxx and even to that wack cat Aesop Rock's cd. Pharoahe Monch really is an amazing emcee.

With an emcee with that much talent the only real concern is the production. Will it be able to hold up this miraculous talent, or will it take a backseat and create a bunch of forgettable tracks? Well, the latter part is true for the majority of the cd. The club hitter Simon Says is nice chant with tongue twisting lyrics and chorus. Official uses many name brand designer labels and other sports big names to create a lyrical masterpiece "making em give they DiamondBack like Arizona".

No Mercy feat. MOP is full of energy and Right Here is the perfect B-balling anthem and have probably heard it on a commercial or an And 1 Mixtape. The A$$ feat. Apani is also a classic song. It's the two rappers going at each other to see which can insult the other. Pharoahe Monch starts it off with "My d. rules everything around me DREAM get the a$$ without spending the cash now". But Apani comes through and surprisingly outwits Pharaohe Monch. She sets the thing off with the line "I seen bigger D... in Pre-K!" and just totally rips it. The way the `crowd' reacts to it gives the song a much doper feel. Classic. The Light is the second single is also tight with him pleading with a girl "Ill get on my KNEES if I have to". His delivery is probably the best in the game. The Truth (the song) drops major knowledge and features Common and Talib Kweli with an excellent beat. There is one horrible song that should be skipped at all times it is Next Ish feat. Busta Rhymez. I'm telling this is THE worst song I have EVER HEARD and the beat is an abomination; purely horrible.

The production is handled by Pharaohe himself, but he also gets help from Diamond D, The Alchemist, and DJ Scratch...all of which are excellent and respected underground producers. And ya know what the best part is? NO SKITS yea! Pharoahe Monch is light years ahead of his time and I doubt that many will catch on until about 5 years or so. This cat is ILL. His album is an underground classic and everyone needs to try and get their hands on this copy.

This may be "controversial" to say, but I think that Pharoahe Monch was the better half of Organized Konfusion. Prince Poet is good, but Pharoahe's flow tends to be smoother in my opinion. Whether they make another album, or go solo the results will be great. Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" is a very nice album. It lacks a bit of polish in terms of some of its beats and lyrics, but overall it is a worthwhile album. The album is varied and can appeal to many different types of hip hop fans. Those who like intense tracks can hear "No Mercy" featuring MOP. Those who like thought provoking hip hop can enjoy "Queens" and "The Truth (featuring Talib Kweli and Common.) Other tracks like "Simon Says" are more mainstream. And "The Light" is a rare hip hop love song. But whether you're nodding your head, or scratching it, this is the album for you. A few tracks were below average: "Rape" and "Official" come to mind.

Overall a solid album worth having in any hip hop fans collection.