War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc) [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Ice Cube

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 17, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00000DFRV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,773 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Nearly a decade into his career, Ice Cube remains at the forefront of gangsta rap--but when it comes to manipulating sounds, he sometimes seems one-dimensional, especially when compared with the likes of Snoop Doggy Dogg (who had a lot of help in that department from Cube's old N.W.A. mate Dr. Dre) and sample master Sean "Puffy" Combs. But on War & Peace, Vol. 1, Cube's first album in five years, the hip-hop renaissance man reestablishes himself as a kingpin in the studio as well as on the street. Every song is surrounded by minor-key melodies and moody flourishes that enhance the effect of the intimidating lyrics, and the overall sound of the mix is rich and deep. Cube doesn't stop there, however, adding touches such as a No Doubt sample loop on "War and Peace" and a queasy guitar riff on "Fuck Dying," compliments of neo-metal marauders Korn. Ice Cube plans to follow up The War Disc with The Peace Disc, which he says will be mellower and more ethereal, but for now, Cube remains the hardest in the game. --Jon Wiederhorn

Vibe
War's Ice Cube puts all of his chips on halfway-decent hooks but lets the meat of his best songs--raw but clever lyrics--rot.... Appreciating Ice Cube's War is like appreciating Francis Ford Coppola's Jack--not a bad experience unless you've seen The Godfather or Apocalypse Now and know what the man is really capable of.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cube is losing intensity., October 12, 2000

By	"thegreatgrizant" (Eindhoven, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Positives: Most of the songs are pretty good and Ice Cube is tight on this one. This album is a lot better than the second part of War & Peace. Cube is a living legend in the rap game and you can see why with this album sometimes. My favorite track is "Ghetto Vet" cause it's got a really phat piano part in the beat. Cube isn't the best lyricist ever but he does rap about a little bit more than the usual gangsta. Not many other rappers would make a song about being paralyzed and pissing through a tube. Track 15, "X--------" is one of those songs you can dedicate to all your ex-girls and that's something I enjoy to do every now and then.

Negatives: You get the feeling that the album could be better. Westside Connection fans are probably let down a little by the War & Piece set cause Cube just isn't quite as hardcore gangsta as he was on Bow Down. Cube talks too much about being a veteran in this game for my taste. In my opinion he should focus on staying in it instead of bragging about lasting so long. In all fairness though he was a member of NWA and he did start "gangsta rap".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First half is much better than the second half., July 10, 2000

By	Christopher Ware (Fremont, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first half of this album is full of bangin' beats and vocals that are off the hook. The second half, for some reason, seems to lose something. The production isn't as good and the lyrics seem kind of limp. However, the first half outweighs the second half, so the album gets four stars instead of three. Tracks such as PUSHIN' WEIGHT, GREED, and THE CURSE OF MONEY exemplify the outstanding production and vocals, while ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE PROJECTS 2 and 3 STRIKES YOU IN just fall off and leave the listener scratching their head and wondering what happened.

People have been saying that Cube has sold out with his Don Mega persona. I just have one question: shouldn't rap be evolving? If MCs keep the same style throughout their careers, they risk falling off. Cube has evolved from an angry teen to a man who distrusts labels and management and who is now successful in and of himself. It's his prerogative to change to match his personality. Why give him beef over that? To me, this new Cube is more sophisticated and can say a lot more on more levels in his songs. This is what makes this album good.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Underrated Disc From The Father Of Gangsta Rap (4.5), September 22, 2006

By	Nick Mackler (Canada) - See all my reviews

Ice Cube made a very solid return to the rap game after a 5 year hiatus with his War Disc, where he promptly confronts ghetto difficulties. While doing so, he reaffirms his status as a premier rapper in the game today with hard, angry rap deliveries over some very nice beats. Ice Cube his just returned now with his latest studio album "Laugh Now, Cry Later" too which boasts some great tracks as well.

"Ask About Me" is a powerful opener, with a vibing instrumental beat and Cube spitting his lyrics strongly. "Pushin' Weight" is a good track where Cube explains how he's still holdin' it down in the game with his rhymes. "Dr. Frankenstein" is another tight track featuring Mr. Short Kop for another appearance on the album. "War and Peace" sees Ice Cube suggesting that peace is needed for all and he states "Westside for life but still down with the East". "Ghetto Vet" may be my favourite rap cut on the album where Cube takes a setting of a hospital describing a scene of contemplating suicide while near death. "Greed" is a heavy gangsta cut to follow it up, then Ice Cube moves into lyrics about money with "Cash Over A**" and "The Curse Of Money." The last few songs on this album are some of the best, which include "Extradition", a track laced with a sweet beat, "Penitentiary" and "3 Strikes You In", an aggressive cut.

Overall, this is a fairly strong rap release from Ice Cube who doesn't touch on anything political but rather spits about the hood as usual in a variety of ways. Lyrically he most often on the mark and his voice sounds mature and very strong. Recommended to any Ice Cube fan.