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Liberator 6.3
7 years is a long time for anything. Many
things can happen and change. I revisited "Internal Affairs", the
1999-soon-to-be classic release, prepping for what I thought would be
the sequel. I was mistaken. Supporters will need to embrace a new
earvision from Pharoahe Monch. Does Desire disappoint? Absolutely not,
but it's not for the one-channeled. Desire is proof that this Pharoahe
Monch contains more then Rap and Hip-Hop music. Desire is Pharoahe Monch
in the present, complete tense. And on this release Pharoahe has no fear
morphing from traditional Hip-Hop into Gospel, Soul, Neo-Soul, Rock and
even Rockabilly. The 13 (plus a bonus) track album features production
from Alchemist, Denaun Porter of D12, Black Milk, Lee Stone and Pharoahe
himself. Live production all the way to the almighty Tower Of Power horn
section is also utilized on a few pieces. Pharoahe has always had the
ability to be a ridiculously murderous combat lyricist. Varying spaces
in most songs are reserved for his reminders. On Desire, "What It Is" is
his emcee choke hold: "Rap's like Star Wars only the stars die it's no
sequels/ Beat-3 cases/ See 3 Po's Before Morpheus and Neo was killing 'em/
We was duckin' roulettes in the hood like Remo Will-ee-ams"; he speaks
to his female counter parts in the quirky Elvis inspired "Body Baby";
"Bar Trap" is flawlessly produced and written; "So Good" is a pure
romantic smoothed out joint; and "Hold on" featuring Erykah Badu is
homage paid to our Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, and daughters who
persevere in the face of immeasurable obstacles. He does not neglect the
responsibility he has to his conscience and kids, referencing things
that trouble him and society in "When the Gun Draws", which is a
beautifully crafted narrative from the perspective of a bullet. And
"Trilogy" is a dark three part song about split decisions made in the
heat of a given moment that turn out to cost life, limb, tears and time
as well as the cracks in the system that psychologically swallow the
fatigued. As a whole, Desire is Pharoahe Monch's uncompromising
celebration of Hip-Hop -- instrumentation, beat making, scratching,
rhyming, story telling and singing. Honorable mentions for song vocals
include Badu, Dwele and others. By keeping it personal, ultimately it's
Pharoahe who has the last word: "If you suppress an idea because the
hood or chicks ain't gonna feel it, that's just sad because creatively
there's an unlimited number of ways to approach song writing. But
Hip-Hop is so boxed-in right now." |
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