Ghostface - The Pretty Toney Album

Wednesday, April 14, 2004
By: brooklyniteOne

First off I have something to say about hip-hop album reviews in general. Not many websites review albums. Everyone is afraid of offending the labels, publicists and marketing reps. But just like P-diddy said at the Jae Millz and Castro battle... "We don’t take sides, our only allegiance is to the hotness."

I repeat, OUR ONLY ALLEGIENCE IS TO THE HOTNESS.

We don’t care about your feelings. So, in the words of Ghostface himself: "Take it how you wanna take it man, f** it."

Although I received an advance copy over a week ago. I must admit this album is still growing on me. Every time I hear it I like it more. I held off on reviewing this even though we wanted to get our review out there first, I did not want to make judgments about the album and tracks on it that I would later feel differently about.

The album as a whole is hot. Definitely different, definitely a progression from the older albums and not a clone of an older Ghost album. The Pretty Toney Album goes deeper into the soul vibes that he introduced on "Iron man" his first album and sprinkled on his later albums. Tracks like "Camay", "All that I Got Is You" that Features Mary J. Blige, Motherless Child have that soul vibe that Ghost ran with on this album. Its this same concept of using soul music samples, and speeding up the vocal samples that is now becoming popular among new hip-hop producers like Kanye West and 9th Wonder. Fact of the matter is that Rza has been making soulful tracks since "Enter the 36th Chambers." Tracks like Cream, and "Can It Be all So Simple" is proof. Other producers like Pete Rock have also been heavy on the soul influence with tracks like "Straighten It Out." Ghost is definitely a trendsetter taking hip-hop back to the soul and his rhymes are creative and like no other. The soul is high on "Holla" and "Tony's Masquerade."

So with that said here’s my track by track opinion of Ghostface's Latest "The Pretty Toney Album"

01. Intro

02. Biscuits - This is the ghost we all know and love.

03. Kunta Fly Sh** - Grimey track.

04. Beat The Clock - Creative. Reminded me of the Notorious B.I.G. track "Give Me the Loot" and old slick Rick tracks the way hes doing two people on one track. Hot rhymes, hot track. Creative.

05. Metal Lungies - Features Sheek and Styles P of the Lox. This track is for the streets hands down. Hot.

06. Bathtub Skit - Segway into the soul.

07. Save Me Dear - Enter the soul. I really like the way this track takes it back to the eighties. The drum pattern and soul samples are hot.

08. It's Over - One of me favorites on the album. Real talk. Who cant relate to what he's saying? Creative. This track represents what we love about Ghost.

09. Keisha's House Skit

10. Tush - For the clubs.

11. Last Night Skit - Break beat. Real mellow.

12. Holla - Straight soul.

13. Ghostface - Nice track, but cant compare to the next track "Be this way"

14. Be This Way - This song is a instant classic. Perfect blend of soul and hard rhymes.

15. The Letter Skit - "Yo Ghost you not over there cryin right?"

16. Tooken Back - More Ghost less, who-ever she is.

17. Run - We all heard this by now. Im sure you have your own opinnion. Its hot.

18. Love - Im not big on "sentimental" tracks but this one is cool. Nice Message.

Basically cop this album its worth it.

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