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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful gangsta rap; Geto Boys in their prime, August 14, 2007
The Geto Boys' 1996 album "The Resurrection" is an enticing listen for many reasons. This is the album that reunited the legendary trio of Scarface, Bushwick Bill, and Willie D, arguably the greatest trio in hip hop, for the first time since 1991's We Can't Be Stopped. During the two years that preceded this album, each member had released the finest solo albums of their respective careers (Face's The Diary, Bushwick's Phantom of the Rapra, and Willie's Play Witcha Mama), and it was clear that the rappers had entered the primes of their careers. Rap-A-Lot Records was also at its pinnacle, and "The Resurrection" showcases the quintissentially Houston sound that would define the label. This showcases the deep, steady funk that was pioneered by the label's in-house producers such as N.O. Joe and Mike Dean, and the music is great throughout. But this album stands out from the rest because of the performances from Geto Boys. More so than on any of their other group efforts, each song seems to have a predetermined purpose. Their lyrics are more socially relevant and conscious than ever before. The world they speak of in their verses is a dark and unjust urban world, where the black community is plagued by poverty, unrest, division, and disunity. They rap with a conviction that is very effective, showing why they really are one of the south's greatest groups. Willie D in particular stands out to me on this album. He raps with a justified rage that sticks, rather than just his inherent craziness you might be used to.
My only complaints are that, with such a long tracklist, a few songs are a bit forgettable. Also, the focus lacks a little when there are songs that focus more on other groups (Facemob, Menace Clan) than Geto Boys, although these songs are really good too. The album features a few interludes with interviews with Chicago figure and gang leader Larry Hoover, who would soon be incarcerated. His words complement the socially relevant lyrics in many cases.
After a great intro, the album begins with the classic "Still." This song is so great because it is effective on so many levels. With a hardcore, threatening hook and theme and a beat befitting of horrorcore, the Boys lace raps thick with fury, injustice, and purpose, announcing their comeback with a bang. The excellent "The World Is a Ghetto" follows, where they rap about the widespread poverty that persists through each city, and the problems which accompany it. A soulful chorus and twangy, funky production make this one a winner. "Open Minded" is rough and hard gangsta rap, followed by a very brief interlude. "Hold It Down" is a song by Facemob, the group of DMG, Devin the Dude, Chi-Ray, 350, and Smit-D that Scarface mentored as his proteges. This song is a solid cut that sounds very similar to the music found on the group's concurrent debut The Other Side of the Law, the production and style sounds exactly the same. The Menace Clan aids Willie D on the deep "Blind Leading the Blind," a powerful song that addresses problems with leadership and a way of life over a nice beat. "First Light of the Day" is a steady track, and Willie D anchors it with an energetic final verse. "Time Taker" boasts some creative production, and lyrically it's pretty powerful too. "Geto Boys and Girls" doesn't stand out, but is a great example of the slow, funky music and strong lyricism that this album delivers. I like when Willie D talks about his leaving and rejoining the group in his verse. On the nice "Geto Fantasy," they humorously rap about their ironically lavish lifestyle over one of the album's best beats. It wouldn't be a Geto Boys album without a Bushwick Bill solo track, and on "I Just Wanna Die," he uses a horrorcore approach to rap disturbingly about life from the point of view of a suicidal person. The upbeat "N...s and Flies" is lyrically enticing, where Scarface and Willie challenge such aspects of society as the NAACP. Following a final Larry Hoover interlude, the album closes with "Point of No Return," a nice closer.
"The Resurrection" is a very impressive piece of hip hop that showcases three of the south's best rappers in their primes, rapping with great subject matter over excellent production. This is straightforward gangsta rap, and rarely has it ever been as effective. It blows my mind that this album could be out of print today, but for fans of Rap-A-Lot and Geto Boys, consider this one to add to the collection. I highly recommend "The Resurrection."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Willie D is back with the GB!, March 25, 2005
The Geto Boys' status was legendary even after a couple of albums ("Geto Boys" and "We Can't Be Stopped"). But arround 92 Willie D left the group, and J Prince replaced him with Big Mike. The new formed crew released "Till Death Do Us Part" in 1993, and it was a GREAT album (and a classic), but it still wasn't the same! Big Mike is a top notch rapper, both lyrically and with his flows, but it seemed to me, that he just doesn't fit the group. Geto Boys were all about being extremely hardcore, provocative and loud. While Big Mike was defintetly hardcore, his delivery was a bit more laid back and cool, and so much different that Willie D's agressive screaming... Anyway, in 1996 Willie D was back, and the Geto Boys released a new album. In many ways this album was different that the previous albums. Musically, the sound is crystal clear, with an obvious West Coast influence (actully it sound different that other Rap A Lot albums musically, I think they were experimenting on this one and after that album, the label went back to their dirty south style). There was a change in the group's approach as well. While the album has it's few hardcore and violent songs, it's much more laid back that the other ones. The group deals with a lot of social issues, all over the album, while it remains gangsta and gutter. Scarface has always been a legend and on this album it's no diffrerent. Bushwick Bill is still his own crazy-ass self, and his social consciousness is high. And Willie D came back better than ever - he still remained raw and loud, but I think he's improved in many ways. Geto Boys, unlike most gangsta groups, are very inteligent, and they have no problem talking about what's going on in the streets (and the world as well) while still holding to their guns and blasting anyone who tries to f#$% with them. This album is an all time classic, and a must-have to any rap fan.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The World is a Geto...., November 3, 2004
The resurrection of the original members...Scarface, Bushwick Bill, and Willie D. If u are going to make a comeback this is how u do it. this album has some real strong subject matters.
It deals with racism, mental illness, oppression, hood politics, and great story telling. The beats are so tight and co sign's all the lyrics almost perfectly.
But i must stress the lyrics...this has to be the most lyrical the geto boys have ever been together. u can feel the words to the bone and without question about what they mean. Key songs are: POINT OF NO RETURN, WORLD IS A GHETTO, LIGHT OF THE DAY, GHETTO BOYS AND GIRLS, AND GETO FANASTY. just hearing those songs will make u buy the album and wait until u hear the rest.
Plus they got Larry Hoover on it speaking from prison...now how gangsta is that. How many of these so called rap gangstas can get Hoover to speak on their album???? None...REAL RECOGNIZE REAL (and you are looking familair)!!! Hotep....
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by Geto Boys 
