Customer Reviews

Pretty Toney Album

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Ghostface just doesn't make bad albums, you should know that by now. If you like Ghostface's style of rap (mile-a-minuet jargon or intricately detailed story telling) then you're be ready for another great installment to his career. If you don't like his style, which is not for everyone, that's fine: The Pretty Toney Album is probably not for you.

The thing that takes this album to the next level is the sampling style and production. The majority of the songs are heavy in soul samples, straddling the line between creativity and blatant jacking. Somehow, to Ghost's credit it just works. Although Ghost uses a host of producers, it flows really well together and the styles don't seem that different from each other.

The intro sets the stage for Pretty Toney, Ghost makes this music for the art and himself... not to please everyone. So either get behind him or step back. "Biscuits" sets things off nicely with True Master production using an uncredited sample. [...] is a quick typical dark RZA track.

"Beat The Clock" is the first incredible track. Minnesota provides the fast paced beat, which sends Ghost literally racing. "Metal Lungies" is another outstanding track, which uses some nice deep horns over a dark beat provided by No I.D. Sheek & Styles only add to this track, which has a Wu-Tang feel to it. "It's Over" uses an almost identical piano loop from Biggie's "Who Shot Ya?", although it's not noticeable at all, since the track takes a completely different direction. Ghost goes into his story-telling mode on this one, he's been one of the most consistent at doing this for the past decade.

"Holla" & "Save Me Dear" do something I'm not sure I've heard before. They both have Ghost rapping not just over soul samples, but the entire original song. I'll admit it was a weird experience hearing The Delfonics "La-La (Means I Love You)" in entirety easily recognizable in the background of "Holla". After I got over the initial shock, I realized the way Ghost's lyrics match up with the original song make this truly exceptional. "Be This Way" is also heavy with this soul sample of Billy Stewart, ghost flips it into a dark depressing track. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album; Nottz's production is just incredible.

"Run" could be in the running for Ghost's best track ever. RZA just brings a sick beat, that's got that ominous Wu-Tang song yet creates a sense of urgency. Police and sirens in the background only help out. The whole song really pulls together on the concept of being on the run from the police, plus Jadakiss and Ghostface rhymes are both clever and well paced. Defiantly the best track on the album.

"Tush" has some great production and is sure to have some people loving the track. As many that like it will hate it because of Missy's spot or the "single" quality of it. I can see people's opinion either way, but it doesn't cause a problem on this album even if you want to skip it. "Love" is a pretty solid introspective song, yet it lacks the production and emotion that Ghost's previous tracks like this have had (see "All That I Got Is You").

Two skits are actually short songs, rapped like short stories: "Keisha's House" & "Last Night." The latter especially will have you questioning why it was cut so short. The other skits don't take away from the album and are typical Ghostface skits (lots of yelling, mostly incoherent dialogue. Ghost fans should be used to this.)
There are some missteps on this album. "Ghostface" has a really weak beat, wack chorus, and has nothing to bring to the table. "Tooken Back" is just really silly and Jackie-O simply is not welcome.

As a quick note, it's worth mentioning that Def Jam should have paid up for the samples and allowed Ghost to release the album as it was originally presented, it is a classic. The tracks left off would seriously take this album to untouchable status.

At the end of the album, the big thing that makes you look past the missteps is the fact that you can listen to the other tracks over and over again. I've had this album since it came out and I can honestly say, while it's not the best I've bought this past year, it's easily one that I listen to the most. There's just something about it that makes multiple listens not just easy, but something that you want. You know an album is really good when you just keep finding it going back into your system after a long period of time. It might not be the best album of the year, and it might not even be the best of Ghostface Killah's catalogue, but The Pretty Toney Album is certainly going to have you listening to it as if it was.

Pretty Toney Album is Ghostface's first album since dropping the "Killah." It is appropriate that he did so, because his lyrics and sound are slightly less murderous. Fans of classic Ghostface Killah, such as myself, might find this album a little too mainstreamy for their taste. Songs like "Tush" w/ Missy Elliot, and "Ghostface," are strictly clubbin' songs with bland lyrics. The Pretty Toney Album does have its gems, though. "Be This Way," which Ghostface describes as "real gangsta shxt," is the strongest, most classic song on the album. "Metal Lungies" w/ Styles P. and Sheek Louch is another standout track. Sheek Louch and Ghostface both rip rap a new one. Fans of Ghostface Killah buy all of his albums, and they should. Ghostface has one of the most "pretty toney" sounds in the rap game, but don't expect a "Supreme Clientelle"

How can you say that this is not one of ghostface's best albums and his worst? Iron Man is a classic man no doubt, but ghostface doesn't live on the street anymore or need to show his grittyness to everyone, he has matured as an artist and this is what you get. He managed to mix soul tracks with hip hop, and still keep the original pace and rap over it, thats pretty amazing if you ask me. Don't hate the album, let the man grow into a new artist and get out of 93 cause that was over a long time ago, that sound is never coming back, let them grow as artists, rza is probably one of the most creative guys out there, let them be creative, no album sounds like a pretty toney, its not a wu album but it is definately a must have.

Since "Wu Tang Forever," most Wu albums (solo or otherwise) have 2 or 3 songs that are totally amazing while the rest are forgettable. If you are a loyal fan, 2 or 3 true Bangas per album are worth the price of admission, but there's no question that the Wu sound has been watered down over the years. If you're new to the Wu, get any of the following albums:

Enter the 36 Chambers (Wu Tang Clan)
Tical (Method Man)
Ironman (Ghostface Killah)
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (Raekwon)
Return to the 36 Chambers (ODB)
Liquid Swords (GZA)
Wu Tang Forever (Wu Tang Clan)

These are solid albums that reflect the Wu in top form.
Pretty Toney falls in with the other 800 Wu tang solo releases. There are definitely some head-bobbin' grooves here, but it's not for the uninitiated.

The Indonesian dude is half-right, even though he's extreme and ridiculous and goes too far. I also used to just go out and buy a Wu album without first hearing it, but now I download songs first to make sure I'm not totally wasting dough. That's cool with me. The Wu are awesome. They've been making great Hip Hop for more than 10 years. They still make great Hip Hop, but now they're more like hidden gems than instant classics. You can't be on top forever.

Ghostface's new album isn't as good as Supreme Clientele, but it definitely is a hot CD...the last track with musiq called 'love' is nice, and obviously ghost and jada's "RUN!" is sick...there's only 1 song i truly hate on the CD and its the one with a beat with a telephone ringing, it just gets on my nerves...otherwise in my opinion its a pretty hot CD, but not as good as some of Ghost's other albums..

Iv'e been a loyal wu-tang fan ever since i had their promotional "protect ya neck/m.e.t.h.o.d. man" single and autograph promo stickers in early '92'. So i can be honest without sugar coating anything. For me "the pretty toney Album" is the lowest point in ghost's career, and a lot of reviewers aren't consistant with their ratings or don't know how to rate correctly, because how gonna give this album 5 stars when he made a classic LP named "iron man", obviously they can't both be 5 star albums, right? people givin' it 4 stars i'll let them have that, but don't give it 5 stars, that's just plain retarted. Everyone is allowed one bad LP, i can't think of any mc who hasn't had a bad album.

(lyrically) I wasn't feelin' this album because ghost didn't come off lyrically like he did on "ironman" he seems to be showin' his age in most of the tracks. what happened to that guy who used to spit long-ass tongue twisting jibberish, i miss that guy. so for the majority of the album, COMPARED to his early works he is humble with his lyrics, still better than alot of rappers out now, but don't go in with the USUAL ghost expectations, also i found it too much on the mushy side wit tracks about girls and relationships, i hate mellow ghost i like when ghost is rippin' mc's apart ("iron man") or spittin social comentary ("supreme clientele".)

(production) this album was too damn motown infused. i love when people rhyme over a motown track, i find it kinda decent, but this album is to heavy with the oldies samplin' that it dulls down the originality factor in the same album. Unkown producers aren't a bad thing, because all my great producers (rza, large prof., premo and pete rock) were unknowns too, but it's not the same when u don't have your usuals workin with you. Rza is almost absent , the only real song he did was "run" that other joint is really just a tease. where's mathemactics, 4th deciple or trumaster? i hope Def Jam isn't involved because i heard they scrapped rza's production on meth's album tical:prequel too. the highlights of this album beat and lyrics wise are: "biscuits" (trife is nice) "beat the clock" "metal lungies" and "run" (i'm glad they cut that wack-ass third verse) other than that, this attempt falls to the bottom of ghost-dini's collection.

this cd is hot. The best songs on this Cd are

1)RUN
2)TUSS
3)BISCUTS
4)ITS OVER
5)BEAT THE CLOCK

GO COP THIS HOT SH*T

If you do not have the money to purchase the Pretty Toney Album, then be sure to steal it. It is worth jail time. Ghost raps as if there is no tomorrow, spitting fast but audible lyrics that flow beautifully. His style is aggressive but rhythmic. Production on the album compliments Ghost's rhymes perfectly. The sound and production are perfect. The lyrical content at times is cliche, but Ghost wrote the book on gritty lyrics so he pulls it off easily. The album is refreshing, honest, and a must-buy.

Years ago, (96-99) I was a die-hard Wu fan. I'd buy every release, every solo and every spin-off. It seems after "Wu-Tang Forever," these guys couldn't be stopped. Not Jigga, not Biggie, not Pac. Boy was I wrong. Things went downhill after that. Ghost was the only consistant one. It's funny, he was on my "Wu member least likely to suceeed" list. So here we are, his third solo and his first album on Def Jam. This could've been a disasterous event. After all, "Bulletproof Wallets" was cool at the time, but it didn't last. Def Jam isn't street like the good days, but you know, this is fantastic album. I love raw wordplay as much as the next man, but this isn't exactly '97 anymore. You can't come out talking about "Baked Ziti" related material. Ghost is well aware of that.
This time you can actually understand him, but none of his off-kilter slang has been compromised. Need proof? Take "Holla." Where Mr. Kanye "man of the moment" West would speed up an old school track. Ghost actually rhymes to the actual song. Old school vocals an all, and with lines like "Like an angry crippled man, don't push me," you know what's up. I'm sure you've heard "Run." I'm sure you know Rza did the beat, and I'm sure you know Jada goes off as well. I don't even like the Lox but this is great stuff. "Biscuits" sounds like "Iron-Man" era, with True Master (who is highly underated)lacing the track. The topics are your typical Ghost fare. Nostalgics, love, gangster tales, sex, you know the drill. This cd is more of a combination of all three solo records, which is why I can't give it 5 stars because um, there are some obvious radio joints. There's nothing wrong with doing that, but common, the "GhostFace" song is really lame. I don't think he even wanted to do it. That's really my only gripe with the album. Everything else is top-notch. This is the best rap album to come out in years. Rap sux right now, but hey Ghost is carrying the torch. Too bad the other Wu members can't do the same.

this is ghostface in his prime. he has matured with deeper lyrics, rza bings the raw and soulful beats. i have to say after a few listens, i like this album just as much, if not more than 'supreme clientele'. this is for true ghostface fans. its raw, in your face, good ol' ghostface.