Customer Reviews

The Loneliest Punk [CD/DVD Combo]

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

 

 

It's true, don't expect a pharcyde album. This is a new and grown man Fatlip. He detailed some of his struggles while on hiatus. I thought it would be wack but upon 1st listen I was impressed. His flows are fluid, lyrics are strong with content, the beats are dope and the album flows well.....what more can you ask for out of a Hip Hop record? You previous reviewers should know better than to write these poor reviews considering the garbage state Rap is in now....You know this album is better than most albums out these days........So save it.

I was skeptical at first when I saw that Fatlip finally put out his solo cd "The Lonliest Punk". I loved the single "What's up Fatlip?" that came out like 6 years ago (and is on the album) but each Pharcyde album that has come out since the group lost two of its members (Tre and Fatlip) has been subpar compared to the group's first two unbelievable albums. But Fatlip's solo cd is awesome. His style has changed up some since his time with the legendary Pharcyde and has a kind of crazy gutteral ODB sound now. The beats are clean simple and pretty old school sounding (in a real good way). In my opinion, Fatlip never was a master lyricist but his style and sound more than make up for his sometimes lackluster lines. Fatlip's style fits perfectly over the beats and his modest, honest lyrics are a nice switch from the hardcore thug thing thats big now. "Today's Your Day" with J5's Chali 2na is an incredible track and worth the purchase even if your not into Fatlip's flow. Buy it. Its a real good cd.

Fatlip has been in the game for a minute now; as a member of the seminal California hip-hop group The Pharcyde, he helped create numerous classic songs, including the bouncy "Soul Flower", the heartbreaking "Otha Fish", the jazzy "Runnin'", and "Passin' Me By", an absolute hip-hop classic. Unfortunately, due to a falling out Fatlip was ejected from The Pharcyde in the mid-nineties and left to his own devices. As The Pharcyde proceeded to fade into hip-hop obscurity (not helped by the mediocre concept album "Humboldt Beginnings"), 'Lip disappeared altogether, only to resurface in 2000 with the 12" "What's Up Fatlip?" b/w "Goldmine". Now, in 2005, he drops his 10-year-overdue solo debut, tentatively titled "TheLoneliest Punk".

All I can say about this album is...wow. Beats (great), flow (intensely original), and lyrical dexterity ('Lip was always the nicest in The Pharcyde) aside, this is one of the most honest hip-hop albums released in years, never mind 2005. Staying true to his heart and form, 'Lip never delves into pointless sexploitation or violence, choosing instead to follow the original Pharcyde blueprint of humourous and witty self-deprecation. On the afore-mentioned "What's Up Fatlip?" (which, oddly enough, is included on this album despite being released five years ago) he proclaims "I make myself sick / get on my own nerves / insecure, immature / grown-up nerd..."

But that's Fatlip for you. Never pretending to me more than he really is, which is an MC down on his luck, kids to feed, living with his mom. This is pretty much the subject matter for the rest of the album, which, rather than getting depressing and repetitive, ends up being enjoyable and at times ridiculously dope. The rest of the production is handled by Edy Crahp, Mark the 45 King, Mike Floss, and even J-Sw!ft, the Pharcyde's producer. Standout tracks are "Today's Your Day" featuring Chali 2NA of Jurassic 5, "Dreams", "Writer's Block", and of course, "What's Up Fatlip?"

In conclusion, this album is well worth your money. Even though Fatlip never seems to find a solid flow (at times his drooling, stuttering flow ends up sounding like Ol' Dirty Bastard)and there is some filler material (i.e., the Golden Age posse cut "Freaky Pumps" featuring Volume 10, Shock G, and Humpty Hump) and way too many skits, those are worthy sacrifices when your consider the honesty and soul put into this record. It may not be one of the best of 2005, but is certainly better than anything studio that the Pharcyde has put out in the last decade. I, for one, am glad that Fatlip never chose to grow up, even when the rest of The Pharcyde did. Go buy this NOW.

(PS - Also pick up The Pharcyde's double-disc "Sold My Soul (The Remix and Rarity Collection)", just released last month. It's worth it just to hear the beautiful "Brixton Flavour" remix of "Passin' Me By".)

and i am thoroughly confused. where is the farmer man? fatlip has changed his voice and delivery, and because of this he sounds like the late ol dirty too much and his old down to earth self too little. the raspy/angry timbre evaporates any chance of the lyrics coming off as "fun" or "light-hearted", and exists on every track. 2na from j5 felt inspired to mention chronic and bowl hits seperately in his one verse, but it fits well with the silly get paid choruses, the humorless, profanity laden skits(which aren't seperate tracks, so you have to hear them), and unimpresive beats at best. i will always love the pharcyde, their first two albums are masterpieces, their video docu "cydeways" will be burned into my brain for all time, and i even bought the obscure tre solo album. that was pretty good. this is lame, even compared to music coming out in the mainstream. i guess that is what this is, a traditionally underground artist trying to get some source or vibe props. obviously some people like it.

If nothing else, Fatlip's album gets props just for being honest. Aside from that it's still a good listen. Just don't expect another Pharcyde album. Fatlip doesn't make himself out to be more than what he is. He doesn't rap about money, women, drug dealing, killing and bling bling. Subjects which have become staples in rap music. He brings honesty to rap and he's not afraid to represent for the guys that are down and out. Everybody's not a player, baller, drug dealer or womanizer. There are people who don't live that life and couldn't live it even if they wanted to. Fatlip's not afraid to reveal his shortcomings. Most rappers rap like they're invincible. This is a refreshing breath of realism in a hip hop world that is saturated with fakeness. This album should definitely be heard.

Fatlip has been around a while but he finally drops his solo LP. Great stuff. Worth the wait.

This is a good album. It's good to hear 'lip again. But the forever-long wait for it is baffling. I listen to the CD now... the best few songs on it were available years ago, and the very best one (What's Up Fatlip?) was a single five years ago. What have they been doing? Slapping together the one-too-many filler tracks that are all over the disc (you'll know them... they all run about a minute and a half and don't have any rapping on them)?

Eh. I sound a bit harsh I guess. It's a very enjoyable disc regardless, but after all this time I suppose I was expecting something closer to greatness. It's definitely better than anything the Pharcyde has done since Labcabin... I can't even listen to those guys any more.

This is a great album, not album of the year or anything but a cool side of Fatlip, after a long break. A lot of hot tracks and a different delivery.

Pharcyde has been around for a moment in this world of hip-hop and they have had their break ups and regrouping. Well the former leader of this fun crew of emcees has finally dropped his solo joint and I must say that he delivered a dope album. This thing is fresh, I don't care if the lead single came out 5 years ago or not. Everyone that is hating on the album because it took so long take one listen to "Writers Block" (9) and tell me that you are still mad at him. He put his heart and soul into this album and it shows. It has the typical funky and fun vibe of traditional Pharcyde all the while lyrical content that really is impressive for today's hip hop. He does not kill you with intelligent rhymes that are over your head, he just delivers every man, every day rap from the soul. He talks to his kids on "Dreams" (19), he tells the story of him and his girl on "The Story of Us" (11), and reintroduces himself over some crazy synth strings on the intro "Fat Leezy" (1). The one weak side to this album is a lot of the songs have cheesy choruses that bring it down at times, but overall this album is really dope and I wish I had discovered it sooner.

I've waited YEARS for this! Ever since the "what up fatlip" video was out i've been dieing for something more than just the single. And now that it's finaly here, with a dvd as well, I think my head is gona explode from disbelief! Anyone who is a true hip-hop fan BUY THIS NOW!