Disco de Pharoahe Monch: “Desire (Edited)”

It has been a long time (8 years to be exact) since we have heard a full length album from P Monch. Now that Desire has finally been released, Hip hop has taken another turn in the right direction. The album touches on many different points from political issues (when the gun draws), to a dope love song (So good), to just flat out dope lyrics (what it is). Not only are the lyrics dope on this album, Pharoahe's delivery of the lyrics are just as amazing. Desire is a great album that has been a long time coming and I am glad it is finally here. This is a must have for your collection. Also check out Prince Po's (other half of organized konfusion for those that are sleeping) releases they are just as dope.

P.S. if you are ignorant or a fan of artists that focus on using ebonics (young jeezy, rich boy etc.) you might want to get a dictionary before listening to the album. Pharoahe actually uses english and some big words to rhyme with.

One

This is my first Pharoah Monch album. Having listened to some of his collaborations over the years ('Dub Plate' w/Wyclef, 'Love' w/J Dilla, etc.), I knew he was going to have a classic album with this one. Well, at least it's classic compared to a lot of what's coming out these days.

The big problem with this disk is the production. I believe a great beat can save a bad MC, but a so-so beat cannot save a great MC, and that's the case here on 'What it is,' 'Gun Draws,' 'Hold On,' and 'Trilogy.' I haven't heard much from Mr. Porter before (Only 'Around the World' on Game's Doctor's Advocate album, which also wasn't that great), but after learning he learned under J Dilla and Dr. Dre, his work's really disappointing here.

Enough with that negative ish, you gotta love the intro to the album, a slave song that compliments many of the issues PM talks about on this CD. This naturally leads into 'Free,' which is as hard as any song released this year. Then The Alchemist produces 'Desire,' an incredibly soulful song that's probably the best on the album. A great beat compliments 'Push,' but as another reviewer commented it's not long enough. 'Welcome to the Terrodome' is a cover of the Public Enemy classic with a political introduction by Chuck D himself. It's as good as always, and Pharoah adds a bit of his own flavor here. 'Let's Go' is pretty good, a more laid back track compared to some of the other songs here. 'Body Baby' has the best beat and hook on the record, further proving that blues and hip hop mix rather nicely. 'Bar Tap' has a decent beat from one of my favorite producers at the moment, Black Milk (go cop his CD too, while you're at it), and it's also pretty funny. I love Erykah Badu, but she can only do so much for the boring 'Hold On,' but it's immediately redeemed by 'So Good,' one of the best pre-sex hip hop tracks of all time. Try playing this during a romantic night and see if clothes DON'T come off. Finally, 'Trilogy' does get better as the track progresses, so skipping ahead makes this an ok track.

But you gotta get the Best Buy version, which has the excellent 'Book of Judges.' This is what 'Gun Draws' should have been, it's angrier, more controversial and fresher. With this version, PM has just released the hip hop album of the year so far, though it could be replaced shortly by Common, Kanye West and Chamillionaire.

A lot of times when an artist takes an eight-year hiatus between albums, the end result isn't very entertaining. And with rappers, the long delay is usually a result of potential subsequent albums being leaked, shelved, what have you (ask Ras Kass). But with Pharoahe Monch, that wasn't the case; he merely just took a few years off. Thankfully, he returns in fine form with Desire.

I'm not quite sure what the hell is going on on the album cover, but anyway, several of the songs feature R&B singers on the choruses (and sometimes during the verses). Fortunately, the results don't sound clichéd, as male crooner Showtyme helps Monch score on "Push". There's also a female singer named Mela Michinko that adds nice vocals to "Bar Tap" and "Let's Go" (as well as the aforementioned "Push"). And even the necessary keep-your-head-up song "Hold On" (with Erykah Badu) works.

If people are skeptical about the Mr. Porter-assisted "When the Gun Draws", don't worry; it's actually not what about what you might think; it's instead a very interesting story (but things don't ALWAYS work out that well; more on that later). The aforementioned "Let's Go" is a club starter that actually works, and the romantic "So Good" is just that.

There are two songs on here that I just couldn't get into. One is "Body Baby", and the other is the nine-minute album closer "The Trilogy" because, well, it details shootin' up the man who his wife cheated with (and I think his wife as well), and shootin' people up just ain't Pharoahe Monch. I also think that the metaphors during the second verse of the title track are a little too graphic. But this is still a great album, so if you desire some real conscious hip-hop, pick it up.

Anthony Rupert

I've given this three stars in the context of other Monch releases, including the OK stuff. In the context of mainstream music, this joint is a 5 out of 5.

There's a couple of really good tracks. However, the single, Body Baby, I find extremely annoying and see it as a transparent attempt at crossing over to pure pop. Reminds me of Outkast's recent hits.

All up, this is a pop record.

By all means buy this joint before you go near anything else available at the moment, but if you don't have all of the OK releases, Prince Po's solo joints and Monch's solo effort, then start with them, not here. They may not be as slick, but they are much more enjoyable.

Desire represents the work of a powerful and talented artist, who knows his game, has perfected it and can now pump out whatever sound he chooses to. In this case, it seems he is looking for some well deserved reward for two decades worth of devotion to the hip hop game.

This is destined to be one of the best album's of 07. Pharoahe brings the heat with his lyrics and his talent shows throught the creativiy of his songs. The album is a solid 4-4.25 but in these times of hip hop that is a great album. Keep on doing what your doing Pharoahe. Next up Common!