The catalog of Ghostface Killah is an impressive one. With the release of his new album, 36 Seasons, Tony Starks has now dropped eleven albums in 18 years. And consistency has always been key. On Ironman, he introduced Wu-Tang fans to his own brand of storytelling and relied on it for most of his subsequent work. 36 Seasons is a continuation of that trend, with another unique storyline unfolding beneath the surface.
A concept album, 36 Seasons is based on character Tony Starks’ return to Staten Island after a nine year (36 season) incarceration. His return is nothing if not disappointing; buildings are dilapidated, transient crackheads shuffle the streets like zombies, and a new generation can’t recall or comprehend the legend of Ghostface. In a nutshell, Ghostface’s new surroundings give way to the setbacks he encounters, whether it’s being shot and critically wounded, or apprehended at the hands of crooked police officers. He escapes death, thanks to emergency surgery performed by the shifty, incredibly talented Dr. X (Pharoahe Monch). In reference with the cover art, Dr. X turns Ghostface into a Bane or Jason Voorhees type of monster. By the album’s end, listeners are introduced to his new alias, GFK, who upon release from prison is the “city defender.”
Expectedly, the album is ridiculously lyrical. Hip Hop fans of all walks will be pleased by the presence of veterans like AZ (who raps circles around most of his Rap peers) on five tracks, Kool G Rap (the OG and lyrical dynamo) on three, and Pharoahe Monch. Each of the aforementioned artists, Ghostface included, vocally sound like themselves 20 years ago. Alongside AZ and Kool G Rap on “The Battlefield,” Ghostface spits: “And my name’s faded out like some old damn socks / I want respect, these streets was my playground once / I was the Mack across 110th on these stunts / Not once would a nigga test me or get zesty / I would walk down the street and sneeze, they all blessed me.” These words are specific to the story being told, but also work in the context of the Rap game today.
Production is chiefly handled by The Revelations, who play all the music during the grim tale. They also serve as silent narrators throughout the oft-heard comic book tale. A certain theme is established early in the album, and there are also three R&B numbers scattered about. These songs, whether they hit or miss, add another dimension to the LP. Kandace Springs is a nice change of pace on “Bamboo’s Lament,” and The Revelations supply a hokey, but groovy cover of The Pretenders’ “A Thin Line Between Love And Hate.” Yet for the album’s lyrical consistency, the production lags behind with a fraught dependence on clean, carefully arranged narrative sequences. For an emcee that lives in between what often sound like chaotic car chases and non-sequitur raps blasting off like shooting stars, the production ends up hemming in some of his frenetic energy. On the album’s first half, the beats seem to establish a tendency for laid-back piano melodies, while the second half is a bit more haphazard. The beats start becoming prone to monotony, sometimes exposing Ghostface’s less inspired zingers, when applicable. Next to an album like Fishscale, for instance, a gang of producers helped establish a certain freshness from song-to-song. 36 Seasons lacks the diversity captured on Ghostface’s previous works.
36 Seasons may not be Ghostface’s greatest project, but it is another notable addition to his extensive body of work. Rapping alongside Kool G Rap and AZ for the bulk of the album is certainly a treat, and the two have their own moments of glory. Production, on the other hand, simply does not hold on to the lyrical dynamism present between Ghost, Pharoahe Monch, AZ and G. The Revelations do an admirable job, but the neat vignettes steal away some of the raw kinetics that drive a superlative Ghost project.
THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR, WITH THE BEATS N RHYMES AND THE FT.
5*
Great album, I can close my eyes and have Ghost Az and Grap paint an epic movie for me. Job well done again ghost. Fan since first verse from Protect ya Neck!
4/5, not 3.5/5 fuck niggaz
Shitty review 5/5 ez
Nothing less than 4.5 stars for this album. It’s banging! The production is perfect for this album’s concept. There is nice balance between gritty lyrics and soulful (but not too soulful) production. The album is awesome.
5/5
i had the same issue with 12 reasons to die. then the Brown Tape version dropped and totally changed the game for me on that album. not sure if this album will meet a certain fate but damn im hyoed to blast this when i get out of work.
This and Run The Jewels are the two best albums of 2014, the new Wu is a fucking abortion, unfortunately.
A Better Tommorow is a good album bar one track Miracle
the new wu-tang album is dope, so fuck you for sayin otherwise.
I think that A Better Tomorrow is better than this album. It’s a good album and I agree with the review of 3.5/5 but when compared to some of the albums that HHDX gives a 4/5 this should be easily a 4/5.
That shady garbage 4 this 3.5, hell no.
Bullshit ass review. This is easily a 4.5-5 album. In the running for album of the year along with PTSD and RTJ2.
Love the live band vibe and GFK’s flow is still unmatched. Loved 12 Reasons for that too. This is top shelf.
faggot ass hhdx editors still hating on classic material, 5/5 truly amazing album from start to finish
are you guys for real 3.5 what da …… COME ON SON this is at least a 4.5 album
My names faded out like some old damn socks”….wtf is so lyrical about this I always thought he was pretty overrated and for the record im being serious not one of these bitch ass lil wayne trolls….2 stars
atleast a 4.5, this real hiphop/rap
Vintage Starks. From front to end. Thank you Theodore!
ghost always comes thru correct far better than the wu’s album rza should have ghost n raekwon pick the beats for the next one
I’m 35 this shit is nice. Come on man 3.5 wtf. GFK, AZ, and Giancana. Legends without a doubt. Matter of fact whats up with some new sosa? I’m thirstin for that man diggin this shit though. Peace
3.5? Are you serious? Lol how can this not be atleast a 4? Album of the year right here.
The album definitely has some bangers (Double Cross and Blood in the Streets are stand-outs due to production) and I like the idea behind the production in general, but it’s hard to deny that there are also some really lazy tracks and not all the instrumentals are memorable. The similarities with 12RTD are massive and some of the narrative moments just sound really silly. GFK did the album in 11 days. Maybe if he had spent more time on it, it could have been a bona fide classic. As it stands, I will listen to it for a while, but will probably not remember it in a couple of months.
This being GFK, I bought the album and will continue buying his output because he’s probably the most consistent MC in the rap game, but come on, a little more quality control please. From what he has said recently, he plans on releasing Supreme Clientele 2, Sour Soul with BADBADNOTGOOD, DOOMSTARKS, and 12RTD 2 all in 2015! Slow down, son!
He always talks about releasing a lot of stuff and about half what he says actually comes out.
Still a lot of projects though! Ghost is prolific as fuck.
Against the last wack WU Tang album, it’s SH*t is a classic !
Master of consistency. Album is dope! 4,5/5
3.5??
this is one of the best albums from 2014. 4 at least.
3.5? smh… HHDX stays hatin on the Wu! They always did! And you call yourselves a hip-hop site! This album will be a classic revered 20 years from now when people will study hip-hop history!!! When artistic, good stuff comes out the HHDX shitson it!
The album should be Ghostface & AZ 36 seasons
so j cole’s album was better than this
There is no way J.Cole’s album is better than this.
man this album is fire..theres literally to much hiphop coming out all at once man all these artists should of spread it out thru out next yr to make a FULL comeback..great season for rap right now.
A Thin Line Between Love And Hate is a an original song from the Persuaders, 1971.
The Pretenders just did a shitty cover. Watch your sources dude !
If you rate this album 3.5 you dont understand rap music.
cosign to the fullest
Dream: A live tour of this record, with all the MCs and backdrops that look like the graphic novel that comes with the vinyl. Props to Prince Paul for laying the foundation for records like this back in the days… it’s taken too long to get back to the trail he blazed.
That would be dope.
GFK has done it again!! Ghost is one of the great storytellers in history and this album is Dope. I like it better than 12 reasons to die
Why does this Homer idiot always review these albums, and then give them low ratings.
#fuckhomer
Classic
ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!! And don’t even try to argue!!
Gotta agree..I tried to give J Cole’s a chance but it doesn’t hold up to Ghost
5 stars this shit is ghostface storytelling at its best with legends. Homer how u come up with 3n a half stars?!?! fuck outta here lay off the Duff n go choke on a fuckin donut
fuckkkk yahhhhhhh
Dope album. Respect from Poland.
It’s ill besides the
great album….good production….i’m glad AZ is on so many tracks
My problem with the album is the production. With the guest list on this LP, it was supposed to be upper echelon. Instead, it sounds like someone just discovered fruity loops and was tinkering with the sounds. Luckily, the Lyrics of all involved made it a worthwhile listen. Ghostface’s catalog is top notch, and his(and his featured artists) make it a worthy listen. As far as producers, don’t work with these Revelations folks again…3.5 out of 5.
Vintage Ghost.
A billion times better than that Better Tomorrow bullshyte! NICE.
trash no drake features no relevence
Agree totally with this review. It’s an incredible album, but the R&B spots from the Revelations are more of a distraction than anything. “A Thin Line…” is by far the worst track on the record; worthy of skipping on every listen. I’m also not a huge fan of “Love Don’t Live Here…”, as Ghostface’s core sound is driven by the aggressive, ironic and borderline frustrated/angry attitude you hear in Battlefield, Dogs of War, Emergency Procedure, etc.
Ill December! Wu-Tang – “A Better Tomorrow” on the 2nd, Ghostface – “36 Seasons” and Hell Razah – “Gates of Hell” on the 9th… #BringDaRuckus
No way this is better than the new wu tang album its just the best album out there ryt now sorry gost but its just the truth
dope
How does this get a 3.5 and the pink print get a 4? Lay off the dope man.
MC Eiht’s new album Which Way Iz West album cover is on MC Eiht’s twitter page . be on the lookout for the Streiht up Menace GEAAH 8 HYPE 4 LIFE . P.S Ghostface Killah is a dope MC and still makes dope albums , my favorite Wu Tang Clan member , Ironman and Supreme Clientele are both classic albums , this album is a nice edition .
Nice album! I’m glad there’s still some good music out there!
the wu shuda had these beats on a better tommorrow …. sigh
Classic for sure
The most consistent member of the WU
i been sayin that since 1996 bruh…
WELL BALANCED PROJECT. THE RNB IN BETWEEN SUIT THE ALBUM WELL AS IT GOES SO HARD THAT IT NEEDS THOSE CALM MOMENTS AT TIMES. ONE OF THE BEST OF 2014 FOR SURE.
This album is decent , but the beats are average to me . Some good tracks , some average tracks . Ghostface Killah can do better than this but it’s decent . Better than that new Wu Tang Clan album .
What ever happen to rappers trying to make the hardest beats and hardest rhymes , it’s like rappers lost there ear for great beats . most rap albums nowadays the beats are pretty average
Absolutely critical album from Ghost, this comes close to Ironman in my opinion. Absolute modern day classic.
Ghostface is still on top and making excellent Hip Hop. This is a great album with an original concept and is by far, one of the best albums of ’14.
It’s The Persuaders’ “Thin Line Between Love And Hate”, not the Pretenders. Come on, if you’re going to review a release, please have your facts and information correct. Huge fan of Ghostface though, and admire his consistency.
Tony Starks keeps it coming. This is one of the better new hip hop releases, especially coming from a hip hop icon. Anyone notice how Ghostface is starting to sound more vocally like his partner Cappadonna as he gets older?
Clan in the front! 4 or 4.5 for sure
best album of 2014
sounds like a weird concept for the album, ghostface aiight though