Pharoahe Monch Album: “Internal Affairs”

If Mos Def's superb solo debut wasn't enough to let you know that losing a partner doesn't mean losing musical focus then let Pharoahe Monch tell you. Actually, both solo albums surpass their groups' last efforts. But Pharoahe's triumph is more of a comeback than anything. See, Pharoahe has tasted critical glory despite being commercially ignored. Organized Konfusion's first record, O.K. and especailly the follow up, Stress: The Extinction Agenda are considered underground classics. And in case you didn't know, the headline of this review comes courtesy of a line from the Stress track "Thirteen". "Thirteen" is one of many tracks that preceeded the intellectual edge found on many parts of Internal Affairs. Long time Organized heads will reminisce of Pharoahe's "Stray Bullet" after hearing concept gems like "Rape". It probably sounds redundant too speak on how dope both Simon Says and the remix are but for this review it is very relevent. See, Internal Affairs works because he has always been regarded as one of the illest, but nearly a decade in the game has also given Pharoahe an advantage on knowing the game of the beast, or industry, as rhyme mortals would say. This time around Pharoahe doesn't just make a dope album, he constructs one. He chooses guest that truly compliment tracks. This ideology is exemplified best on the rough, adreneline filled "No Mercy" featuring the always rugged, raw stylings of M.O.P. Common and the always hungry Talib Kweli also make worthy contributions to the insightful track "The Truth". He's also consistent in drawing the line between commercial, undergound, and just plain enjoyable. Internal Affairs stumbles only when Pharoahe strays too far one way. The Organized Konfusion reunion, "God Send" is too slumber to match the sonic power of the rest of the album, while the Busta Rhymes fused "The Next S#$t" sounds like filler. But the positive far outweigh the negative. Internal Affairs is a groundbreaking solo effort that is sure to keep heads noddin' well into the new millenium.

Pharoahe Monch's Internal Affairs is nothing short of a musical masterpiece. Monch manages to raise the bar for MCs in every category. He remains peerless, yeah I said it, peerless with his lyrical ability. Never has there been such complexity married with intelligence,creativity, flow, and scope. He excels at every type of song. On "Queens" he tells a compelling story, on "Get the F Up" he makes you do just that. He spits battle rhymes all over the album. "Behind Closed Doors" is literally laced:" Cut off his hand and send his girl multiple-finger sandwiches. If she manages to do damages, put her in bandages!" "Rape" is a concept track on which he cunningly describes this metaphor for what he does to beats. Monch and guests Common and Talib Kweli delve deep into the meaning of "Truth" on the track of the same name. What separates Monch from the rest are his breathtaking skills. What separates his album from the competition is the scope of what he attempts. He tries to do it all with one album, and the result is an album that gets better with each listen. Trust me. GO GET IT!

Hmm I got this album quite late I see. Reading the comment here that convinced me to buy this album says Monch has peerless lyrical ability. Well of course I had to compare this to all the rage right now, Eminem. I've found this album proves Monch has everything Eminem has, plus MUSIC (as compared to a single guitar pluck that has it's pitched change a few times to make a song) and sanity. Indeed, Monch has near-peerless lyrical ability best demonstrated on the (unfortunately short) raw track, Rape. Ingenious, vulgar metaphors =)

Every track has way-above-average lyrics, but my favorites are the ones with the music that goes over the top: Behind Closed Doors, Queens, No Mercy, The Light, and The Truth. The CD ends with the excellent remixed addition to a classic, Simon Says, weighing in at about 6 minutes.

The only fault I can find with this CD is that there isn't enough of it; it's about 54 minutes. As far as I can tell, this was the best album of 1999...

While the masses ride Eminem's jock, proclaiming him to be the best emcee ever to touch a mic stand, Monch once again comes with it...I didn't bring large expectations to 'Internal Affairs'; in fact I put off its purchase for almost a year after the Oct. '99 drop date because of hearing 'Simon Says' on the radio. When I heard that song I didn't even recognize the voice (despite being a long-time OK fan). Then I found out it was Monch and I almost started bawling, thinking another top shelf lyricist had deserted those fans faithful to hip hop's essence (of whom there seem to be only about 100 left).

I had to eat my negative thoughts, because the LP turned out to be far better than I thought. 'Simon Says' grew on me; part of the reason I think Monch is so great is that he keeps shifting lyrical ground. I finally had to admit that, even with what I initally called a 'dumbed down' lyrical style, he still was tight.

'Rape' and 'The Light' are two of the other standouts here. 'Stray Bullet' from Organized Konfusion's Extinction Agenda LP really opened my eyes to new ways of metaphors and 'taking you there' storytelling. With 'Rape' Monch does it again, completely stepping away from what the title suggests. Its track doesn't really turn me on but the lyrics come correct. 'The Light' is that rarest of animals, the hip hop love song that doesn't completely sink into all-night hedonism; it allows you to draw some pictures for yourself. Thank God there are rappers who know how to rein it in when they need to.

'Hell' featuring Canibus was my favorite (along with 'Simon') to play in the car with the windows down, cranked to 10. To those who think that lyrical style is sorely missing in hip hop-and it is-just listen to Monch's first verse here, as he toys with alliteration.

This album isn't a classic-a few too many songs worthy of the FF button. However, it's been slept on far too much; or more accurately, Pharoahe Monch has. So the masses can keep their DMXs and Ja Rules who find a formula and cling for dear life. I'll take Monch...

This may be "controversial" to say, but I think that Pharoahe Monch was the better half of Organized Konfusion. Prince Poet is good, but Pharoahe's flow tends to be smoother in my opinion. Whether they make another album, or go solo the results will be great. Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" is a very nice album. It lacks a bit of polish in terms of some of its beats and lyrics, but overall it is a worthwhile album. The album is varied and can appeal to many different types of hip hop fans. Those who like intense tracks can hear "No Mercy" featuring MOP. Those who like thought provoking hip hop can enjoy "Queens" and "The Truth (featuring Talib Kweli and Common.) Other tracks like "Simon Says" are more mainstream. And "The Light" is a rare hip hop love song. But whether you're nodding your head, or scratching it, this is the album for you. A few tracks were below average: "Rape" and "Official" come to mind.

Overall a solid album worth having in any hip hop fans collection.