Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R (We Are Renegades)
Duck Down Records: 2011
Pharoahe Monch’s third solo album, W.A.R (We Are Renegades), dropped via Duck Down Records recently. Pharoahe’s name is synonymous with lyrical genius. In my opinion, the guy has always ticked every single box. His voice has the ability to reach high and low notes with patterns and flows that seem to know no limits. I think that Pharoahe is and has always been the MC’s MC. W.A.R is a great album in my opinion. It’s musically and lyrically strong and at times moving with its choice of subject matter.
Pharoahe touches many subjects that your average lyricist avoids. Politics, environmental issues, racism in modern America, police brutality and crooked cops are given plenty of thoughtful rhyme time throughout the album. I think it’s a real skill that Pharoahe is able to teach and to question issues without coming across as preachy or even pushy. I feel like W.A.R is of a similar style to its predecessor: Desire, which was also on some grown man hip hop tip. At a time when many ‘artists’ are making sugar-coated music, Pharoahe effortlessly brings the truth to the listener. A number of times Pharoahe talks of the chances of people liking the product. Take the track “Hitman” where he says that it might take a few listens before the musical penny drops. Pharoahe truly paints “a masterpiece of an industry tainted.”
The majority of beats come from M-Phazes, with appearances from Exile, Diamond D & Marco Polo. My favorite beat on the album is courtesy of Samiyam on the track “Haile Salassie Karate”. It has a typical Samiyam sound with beautifully off-key vocals from Mr. Porter and complex patterns from Pharoahe talking on star constellations and engineered ergonomics. In all honesty there are too many high points on this album for me to talk about in depth. I think it’s a well thought out and executed piece of art. W.A.R is a social statement from a true artist.
[audio:http://potholesinmyblog.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Pharoahe_Monch-Black_Hand_Side.mp3|titles=Pharoahe Monch – Black Hand Side]
4.5 out of 5
The last ‘hip hop’ album i heard that deserved a 4.5/5 was probably ‘Hell Hath No Fury by The Clipse’
I don’t like giving a way high ratings too easily.
I really like this album though and i agree with most of the review. At the end of the day this is a Hip Hop album not a fusion of pop and hip hop like we get from 97% of rappers today.
Yes it might have some commercial friendly tracks but those tracks are as much Hip Hop as the dark politically driven tracks.
unlike Lupe Fiasco, Pharoahe Monch has been able to make a Hip Hop album that brings lyrics back to the front and brings along clever and imaginative beats to keep it all in sync.
He’s also able to stay current but at the sametime have a late 90s Internal Affairs feel to the album which i believe ‘Desire’ lacked with such tracks like ‘Shine’ featuring the soulful Mela Machinko.
Overall
I like it and i highly recommend it.
4/5.
Im with Emay, ive been enjoying it since the first spin. I love his complex rhyming schemes as well but i definitely dig his more…cohesive approach too. His voice is powerful and put to good use, the messages are clear and concise.
I loved this album on the first spin. I think it’s just as solid as Desire.
have to agree with Julien
no i havent checked out that remix will do now. i prefer the crzy coltrane rhyming to a political message that’s been done to death
I will agree with the 4.5/5 It’s definitely not for everyone though. This cd required a few spins for me to really get into it but so has every Pharoahe Monch album. He said in a canadian interview that he tried to stay away from the crazy rhyming coltrane flow he’s known for to bring a more cohesive message.
Julien, I will agree Immortal Technique usually blows but have you checked out the Apocalypse remix from IT with PM? It’s probably the only track with him on it I enjoy and an amazing verse from pharaohe.
4.5/5 is too much. this is 3.5/5 at the most. He’s really fallen off since Desire and Internal Affairs. and Immortal Technique fucking ruins everything he touches
YOUR ALBUM RATING WAS CRIMINALLY LOW