Ghostface Killah Album: “Fishscale [PA]”

Ghostface Killah (AKA Tony Starks) provides a quality album with his fifth solo release "Fishscale" (2006). I have been bumping this album since I got it, from the opener "The Return of Clyde Smith" (skit) to the albums closer "Three Bricks" feat. the late great Notorious B.I.G. & Raekwon, Ghostface takes his audience through a memorable & original journey on this twenty four track (including skits) release. Ghostface delivers raw fastpaced rhymes on "Shakey Dog", and hooks up with his Cuban Linx brethren Raekwon for "Kilo". One of my early favorites is "The Champ", love the intro to this cut, hypes up a track which Ghostface kills. The whole Wu-Tang clan reunites for a banger "9 Milli Bros", love hearing them back together, even ODB (R.I.P.) is included on this cut. Some entertaining skits follow, and then Raekwon and Ghostface team up again for more thug stories on "R.A.G.U.". Backed by a distinctive sample from J Dilla (R.I.P.) Ghost then delivers "Whip You With A Strip" remembering being a bad kid who got beats. I saw the video for "Back Like That" the other day, Ghostface and up and coming singer Ne-Yo collaborate for another outstanding track. Ne-Yo's sings soulfully and Ghost's lyrics on point, making this cut the lead single makes sense. Ghostface delivers an upbeat & funny cut with "Be Easy" which features his "Put It On The Line" rhyme partner Trife. Grimy street cuts like "Clipse of Doom" feat. Trife & "Dogs of War" feat. Raekwon & Theodore Unit follow. His son "Sun God" is included on this cut. This whole album is full of creative concepts, "Underwater" being another good example. "Momma" is a heartfelt cut, backed by some smooth singing from Megan Rochell, Ghost drops some deep rhymes. The albums closer, which I previously mentioned, is another standout, Biggies verse is dope and Ghost and Raekwon hold their own alongside him on "Three Bricks". For some people who are new to Ghostface it may take you awile to get used to his flow, I recommend taking that time and listening to this album fully. Ghostface Killah takes his listeners on an entertaining and creative ride, providing a memorable album with "Fishscale", recommend checking it out.

INSTANT CLASSIC!They say you should wait 'til at least 10 years to consider an album of this magnitude a classic....!&@# DAT!CLASSIC material,deal with it.

Ghostface Killah has been by far the most consitent member of the Wu Tang Clan throughout the years. Although it is arguable the lyrically, Raekwon, GZA, and even Method Man are equally as talented, not one of them has consistently put out solid albums the way Ghostface has. Fishscale is going to be one of the hottest cd's of 2006. It's that good. The production, which is handled by MF Doom, J Dilla, Pete Rock, Moss, Madlib, and Just Blaze, is incredible. Songs like 9 Milli Bros (featuring the entire Wu Tang Clan), RAGU (featuring Raekwon), and The Champ, are awesome. Now, I've only listed these three songs, but don't get it twisted...there are no songs on this album worth skipping. This cd is a definite contender for Hip Hop album of the year, and it is right up there with his other great cd's, Ironman, and Supreme Clientele.

Ghostface killah is a rap machine, he seems to never stop, he reminds me of both Kool G Rap and MF Doom if they were mixed into one. He hops around with his rhymes and bounces from subject to subject to give you the full picture, while telling tales of the street hustle. Also he picks the perfect production, for his album, he is in a ball park of his own. While every other fake blown up rapper is doing some lil john beats, Ghost stays with the soul full pete rock, and Jay Dilla beats, that a true hip hop head can feel. I know it is wrong to compare Supreme Clientele to Fishscale, but to tell you the truth they are both the same, in terms of quality, he hasnt fell off one little bit. Not a track should be or will be skipped.

OK FIRST THING IS FIRST, THIS ALBUM IS REALLY 4 1/2 BUT I GAVE IT FIVE TO ENCOURAGE THE IGNORANT KATS TO BUY REAL HIP HOP. I COPPED IT YESTERDAY AND HAVE NOT STOPPED LISTENING TO IT SINCE. IT WOULD BE FIVE IF GHOST LEFT THE R&B JOINTS WITH NE YO AND MEGAN ROCHELL OFF THE TRACKLIST. THE BONUS TRACK WITH BIGGIE COULD ALSO GO, BUT EVEN WITH THOSE WEAK JOINTS THERE IS ENOUGH POTENT DARTS ON THE ALBUM TO KEEP U LIFTED. THIS ALBUM TOOK ME BACK TO WHEN HIP HOP WAS JUST ABOUT DOPE BEATS AND ILL RHYMES. TOO MANY GOOD JOINTS TO SAY WHICH IS MY FAVORITE BUT RIGHT NOW I'M FEELIN R.A.G.U., SHAKEY DOG, AND KILO. THE BEATS...IN ONE WORD ARE "SICK"...MF DOOM, J DILLA...DAMN EVEN PETE ROCK CAME THROUGH...ONLY REGRET IS THAT RZA DIDN'T DO A JOINT...IF RAEKWON'S ALBUM WILL BE ANYTHING LIKE THIS WU WILL ONCE AGAIN SAVE EAST COAST HIP HOP...P.E.A.C.E