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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a blast a from the past, June 7, 2006
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.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fatlip's solo cd is awesome, December 18, 2005
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.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most honest hip-hop records in years..., December 3, 2005
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".)
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