When it comes to the art of emceeing, few operate on the same plane as Pharoahe Monch. Disappointingly, Monch has only found the time to release two albums since his undisputed classic solo debut, 1999’s Internal Affairs. Whether the blame ought to be leveled at an uncleared sample or any number of possible reasons, the pertinent matter is that Pharoahe has returned with W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), his first release since 2007’s Desire .
W.A.R. begins with “The Warning,” a brief introductory skit that sets the tone for the album’s mood and themes. An unabashed comic book nerd and sci-fi fan, Monch is at home when affixing his rhymes within worlds that Stan Lee and George Orwell may have imagined. Accordingly, “Calculated Amalgamation” features futuristic rhymes over grandiose synths and guitar riffs. On “Evolve,” Pharoahe briefly addresses a condition that makes his lyrical acrobatics all the more impressive: “Pardon if it sounds a little wheezy / Not Wayne, motharfuckas, I got asthma – it ain’t easy / Shotgun lyrical, cock back, squeeze me / Women case my anatomy, touch me, tease me / Please seize the moment in a struggle against Lucifer / Renegade 13, the executioner / Spit with a crucifix / So you can expect a rant from Pharoahe Monch like Mucinex.”
The album’s title track is a bit haphazard, and is enjoyable depending on whether one is interested in hearing Immortal Technique puff out his chest and roar through the chorus. “Let My People Go” hits hard with an incredibly satisfying organ loop, and equally-pleasing sentiments (“If ya’ll are telling me today’s music is suitable / And appealing, I’m telling you – the feelings are not mutual”). But perhaps the gem of the release is “Shine” 
. The minimalist xylophone gives Pharoahe maximum flexibility to kick rhymes laced with double entendres to which even Jay-Z would have to defer, and songstress Mela Machinko blesses the cut with an incredibly soulful chorus. Not to be forgotten, however, is “Assassins” , which features a dream team consisting of Monch, Jean Grae and Royce Da 5’9″. Fans will have to keep their fingers on the rewind button for this one as they debate which emcee delivers the best verse.
The lone disappointment with regard to W.A.R. is unquestionably the production. It’s extremely perplexing, given the demonstrated ear for production Monch has shown in the past, having recorded with producers such as The Alchemist, DJ Scratch, Mr. Porter and Black Milk – to say nothing of Monch’s own considerable production abilities. While Exile (“Evolve”), Marco Polo (“W.A.R.”), and Diamond D (“Shine”) make admirable contributions to the project, relative newcomer M-Phazes fails to particularly distinguish himself. The percussion on both “Clap” and “Assassins,” for example, fails to approach the ferocity of the rhymes accompanying them. Fortunately, soulful offerings like the oh-so-smooth “Black Hand Side,” with its well-timed horns and strings, helps the listener forget these transgressions – though not completely.
Full of political and social commentary, Pharoahe’s W.A.R.-time performance will leave fans hoping he continues his trend of cutting the wait time between albums in half.
This album rocks from front 2 back !
Instant classic !
Good Album, not Classic, beats could be better, overall GREAT. Agree with reviewer rating 4/5
Classic.
time will tell but one of the best albums the last decade
Real Hip-Hop is not just about beats. It’s about lyricism.
True, But I listen “music” so to my rating consider all aspects also Beats…
If I dont really feel Beats and production dont give 5 stars. AMEN
And Also many of these guys are fanboys cause they call “classis” unrealesed album which was leaked maybe 1-4 days before
INNOVATIVE, PROVOCATIVE, DOPE, EMCEEING, REVOLUTIONARY, CREATIVE, COHESIVE, MEANINGFUL. DAMN IT, ITS GOT EVERYTHING. PHARAOHE SHOWCASES HIS SOUL IN EVERY TRACK ALONG WITH SKILL AND INTELLECT. HIS FLOW, AND SYNTAX IS REMARKABLE. THE MUSIC SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, FUCK A REVIEW. THIS IS CLASSIC.
beats are boring as hell but the lyrics are dope
This album is really good, pharoahe monch proves is a great mc and one of the best at this time
Another chance by hiphopdx to rate an album 4 1/2 stars and they blew it,easily either the best or second best rap album tother depending upon if you like sigon better. also lupe should have been givin 3 to 3 1/2. Great Album with explosive lyrics and good beats Pharoahe flow is so original and it’s a blessing to listen to such a great artist make a great body of work espeacially after the dull pieace of shyt he put out with “desire”(those black milk beat on there were ass)
But they rate joel ortiz 4.5 what a joke hiphopdx is quickly becoming, they’ll be like allhiphop
Im a 32 year old backpacker to the heart and I am always knocking the radio shit all day. I was pretty excited about this album but it was just ok. Definitely my least favorite album even in comparison to the Organized Confusion work. The lyrics are on point and the political presence of mind is in tune with my thought process. But the beats are not the best selection for the tone of the album. 3 stars Pharoahe, but still a good CD.
So what would u give 4 stars too the last few year mr. Backpacker?
Now I usually do not over critique minor details, but just the fact that you spell it “organized confusion” really makes me double think your idealogy.
“Definitely my least favorite album in comparison to the Organized Confusion work”
Sorry but I have a hard time grasping that you even listened to all his back catalogue.
Both Saigon’s and Pharoahe’s albums are much better than Joell’s, HHDX is a joke at times.
I totally agree with you on that one!!!
i think even joel ortiz will tell u that lol
4.5 for Joell ortiz’s over-rated semi-good album
HHDX is slippin
Even Reks & Rae’s albums were better than Joell’s.
Brillaint as with any Pharoahe Monch album they are all epic!
5* this shit is classic.
paulada
How is “Clap (One Day)” not distinguishable?
i really like this album, deffinetly think it deserves a 4 1/2.
Has anyone noticed that since 2005 duckdown has continue to put out above average material and alll started with Sean Price’s Monkey Bars………Skyzoo…….Now they have a vet like MONCH who perhaps put out the album of the year probably, next lets see if the smif & wessun/pete rock album will be any good later on this year
I have
definitely. Not to mention the 9th/Buckshot albums have all been stellar.
agree
i haven’t listened to Joell’s album properly but it sounded shockingly wack when skipping through track’s
Clap shows M-Phazes “failings!?” Fuck outta here! This fucking review is a fail. I’m sure that’s something we all can agree on.
Five motherfuckin stars
Classic along with the rest of his catalogue. The Grand Illusion is so dope along with Still Standing.
great album by monch, again.
Just listened to this. Going to buy it on Tues. I will be proud to buy this. Listen to “Evolve” — best hip hop cut in a decade. Every song has it’s own sound, fuckin Vernon Reid rips a wicked solo on the title track. Pharoahe is always pushing his own flows. Whole album is dynamic, lyrically and from a production standpoint. “The Grand Illusion (Circa 1973)” who the fuck but Pharoahe could pull that shit off? Love this album
poor review, this album is more than 4 stars whether you like the production or not, and the production is solid.
Joell’s album isn’t great if you only listen once, and only passively. It’s a solid record, he tore that album up lyrically, it’s the production on THAT album that sets it back a step. I’d say 4.25 for Joell, and 4.75 for this. This album is better, but no need to hate on Joell, his output is helping push hip hop forward, not backward.
You can’t appreciate the album if you have only listened to it on the odd occasion. If it takes his creative mind 2 and a half years to write, how’s Slava Kuperstein going to grasp the complexity of the body of work in the odd play? When talking about his lyrics you bring up the Wayne comment like that is relevant to the theme. The dexterity and adaptable to the diverse production is to be admired. If you want to dance go buy a 50 cent album! Get this weak review outta here young fella!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to say, though I m a big fan of Pharoahe and wish him the best only… the 4/5 rating is on point. Pharoahe delivers but the beats are just ok most of the time.
Lord, I wish he could record an album with only Premo, Black Milk, Kno and Exile on the boards. That would be the musical backdrop he deserves!
I disagree, I think most of the production on this LP is great. Suits the mood and themes of th album perfectly.
I agree with a 4. Monch fans, Saigon fans, and Raekwon voices are louder than a pack of wild dogs.
I agree that Rae’s album is getting wayy too much praise from fans but Saigon’s album was easily a 4.5 at worst, 4 is a fair score for Pharoahe’s album but I would personally give it higher. The only reason people getting so annoyed about these scores is the fact that certain other albums, not nearly as high in quality,have gotten better scores.
The Pharoahe is the best emcee! I am glad he actually takes time to work on albums that deliver like he actually spent some time working on them. Most albums now a days sound so rushed and contrived. I would rather have and artist take all the time they need as long as it comes out as dope as this W.A.R. album.
The evolution of one of hip hop greatest true artist!!!
they gotta add more stars or something to the rating. that will separate the scores more and allow better cds to get those higher scores. some cds that are getting 3’s on dx should get those 3’s but out of 10. give a cd like this an 8 and separate it from all the shit cds (nicki minaj)
yo the writing on this website sucks. no offense, but you guys desperately need an editor. this is inexcusable.
I agree with you, but never criticize without giving reasons or suggestions for improvement. You just come off like an idiot
I cosign this white kid
I’d give this album a 4.650944302159308
But everyone has an own opinion.
Album of the year.
killed it
most beats are solid- some are amazing and a few are a bit weak.album is well mixed. content is good, but gets a bit repetitive as he tends to repeat the same subjects rather then talk about a wider range of issues.
way too much singing and r&b shit on this one and was hoping that wasnt the case.
lyrics are tight overall, unique pharoah style, but basic too often. but he does drop a wider range of styles than most rappers and his energy is crazy.
overall 4/5
want to see the ex- organized konfusion dude keep it a little more raw and underground.
yes he would get a e on repeated essay
dope album! i will give it 4.5 stars
Just got my copy at Best Buy on Union Square, the show there tomorrow should be dope
5 madaf*ckin stars. EVOLVE is 4 alone.
Definition of dope hip hop.
The song clap sounds like a 9th wonder beat. still standing has a good quality beat. I don’t undertstand why the review says that two songs with drums that don’t hit can pull an album down, but 10 songs can’t pull it back up. any way, pharoahe monch is crazy on the lyrics, beats are nice. He could have gotten some better beats, but atleast the style of them is all within boundaries of what I want to hear from monch, and plus most of them are nice beats anyway. I just said that cause pharoahe is one of the deserving to rap on the best instrumentals.
I’ve been waiting on this for years and it doesn’t disappoint. Monch continues to stay on point with three great albums. I can’t tell who had the best verse on the Assassins cut.
straight classic
For a much better review of W.A.R., check out my site:
http://www.realhiphophead.com/2011/02/album-review-pharoahe-monch-war-does.html
Who the fuck cares what your opinion is?
Lame.
Why the hate? Unnecessary. I like reading album reviews. Most people on this site do. Some dude posts his review. That’s much more valuable than the hate you posted in response to it.
Ok it’s officially released today. GO BUY IT. Put your ten dollars toward Pharoahe Monch instead of a pack of smokes, a dime, or whatever
This is easily one of the best albums of the year! So what, we’re not even halfway through the year. This album is that dope that it’s better than a lot the albums that aren’t even doen yet.
Sick album, just downloaded it from iTunes a couple hours ago and it is amazing… Might be best album of the year in my opinion. It is so far!
amazing
This album is fire. Saigon and Pharoahe Monch got my $10.
I completely disagree with Slava’s unfavorable mention of M-Phazes. “Clap” is an incredible record that you can hear Monch on even as an instrumental. “Assassins” is by far one of the best spit tracks that I’ve heard in recent years and “Still Standing” is one of the most epic records I’ve heard, period. Did we listen to the same album?
There is no reason for this album to not get a 5. This album would be a classic in any era, which is the definition of a classic. I will be listening to this album years down the road.
amazing, best album i’ve heard in a few years
classic
good, nothing special
ah ur a fag
TELL ME A BETTER ALBUM THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean none, but it’s early…no doubt Pharoahe Monch is one of the illest ever (in my personal top 5-10 somewhere as he’s been KILLING IT for 20+ years now).
Living Legend
Saigon’s GSNT… maybe. Its too early to tell, but they’re about equal to me. And this is coming from a complete Monch stan, so that says something about Saigon.
I think they’ll be top 2 albums of the year for me
MONCH!!!!!!!!!!
oh shit, this is out? I’m gonna go pick this up
Pharoahe sed in an interview that this was gona be a testosterone filled, raw, aggressive album. Big dissapointment on that front as it’s almost the opposite, producing a lot of soulful tracks. Despite this dissapointment, the album is still sick and considering the amount of shit that gets produced on a daily basis, this definately is worthy of at least 4 stars and is worth buying instead of torrenting.
DX did a bad job reviewing this. Makes it seem like some type of poorly produced quick releases. Instead I thought it was produced well, the beats are satisfying to say the least. Monch comes through 100% as always with thought provoking and complex rhymes. I am surprised not many if any have mentioned the track haile selassie karate, crazy tune, Mr. Porter chopped and rebirthed the sample in a J Dilla type fashion (And monch spitting revolutionary music on top of that, priceless). Gems like that are so hard to come by these days that a true hip hop head would have their moneys worth from that alone, never mind the rest of the album which is banging any how. So theirs a quick review for you that might do the album more justice. Looks like the pharoahe may not have chipped DX a dollar for this review.
shit is aight
5/5
classic this nigga never disappoints
Been bumping this non stop since yesterday. I love this album
Album dope.
Pls put them togeerth Monch with Royce & Obie.
Acid juice.
BlacMonksta.
dope album. i wish it was longer though. song with royce and jean is too sick
Had a chance to listen to this a few times to and this album is pretty damn good.
THIS IS PROPER HIP HOP! FUCK YOUNG MONEY AND SOFT MUSIC!
YOU CAN HATE ME NOW!
Dope Shit
monch has lost a step and hes still better than your favorite rapper. delivery isnt as crazy as it was, but the lyrics and flows still dazzle. honestly was expecting some harder beats too. but fuck it. its monch nigga. you take what you get. organized konfusion till now, still slicing. peace to duck down. best label in the biz. they dont put a premium on record sales, they put a premium on good music. now monch got 3 solid solos to back his incredible OK output. legend.
I disagree with the assertion that he’s lost a step, this Album shyts on “Desire” and is slight below “Internal Affairs” his rhyme patterns or W.A.R. are simply amazing and ups the antee. The album is underappreciated
This was much better than Desire. This is the best Hip Hop album of the year so far for me. Evolve, Black Hand Side and Still Standing are classics.
CLASS-SICK.
its ok cant see how it can beat shoalin vs wu tang rating, crazy
love raekwon but monch is a better rapper with better more progressive subject matter
enough said.
HAILE SELASSIE KARATE
5 STARZ!!!
Album is legit!! love Clap!!
Too bad he dont put albums out more often, but then again its probably a good thing that Pharoahe takes as much time as he does to put his albums out
dope album. . .
great
great, great
“with my size 11 and a halves, you can’t fill those/ I make headlines like corduroy pillows.” pharoahe monch is the best rapper that hasn’t gone mainstream.. a genuine classic.. the hitman is the one track that nobody has mentioned in all these posts that is the hardest track.. 5 stars..
YESSSSS!! We have still some real Hip Hop at the playground!!
pharaohe is like wine. bettter with age. Overall a little better than DESIRE. this LP shits on 90% of the BS nowadays
if ur looking for real hip hop music listen to this album and consider it found this album is worth every penny
Classic Concept Album
Oh and “Let my people…”, “Haile Selassie…” and “Grand Illusion” are my joints…….right now. Jeans Verse on Assasins, whoa she merced that ish!!!
fantastic
I love the feel of this record!!! It’s a classic if you ask me!
5
Absolutely love the final track “Still Standing” with Jill Scott. How hasn’t anyone mentioned that track? Great album with a killer finish. Y’all know the name… Pharoahe Fuckin Monch ain’t a damn thing changed!! Believe!!!
classic
Dope album, Monch kills it! I love it, been spinning all week. Thank you!
I don’t know about the cat who wrote this review but this album was utterly amazing. Forth and Back!
dope album ! lyrically Monch always deliver. production could of been a lil better. def solid LP.
the hitman was the best track on this shit
a classic
Not sure why the reviewer didn’t like the M-Phazes beats. I thought he brought the most heat. As well as the Exile track, which was incredible. Monch delivered his best material since Internal Affairs from 12 years ago. This is a perfect 5 for me.
Dope Record! Evolve stays on repeat. very powerful song
Pharaohe is arguably the best mc on the planet. He’s always been in my top three, but at some point doesn’t anyone just want to hear him rhyme? We have to hear polictical propaganda/agendas from friends, family, and every medium known to man. I think he’s intelligent but I just wanna hear him rhyme.
part of true hip hop bro….all i can say is be thankful he’s one of the few that can bring it to you from every angle of the game.
Dope album. His solo album catalog is tight and none of his albums sound the same. A true Hip Hop artist.
Great Album . Evolve , Assasins and W.A.R. are my favourite tracks. I really gotta start listening to Jean Grae.
Lyrical excellence, flow unparalleled, subject – inspiring / this is the best album since Ecstatic In my opinion.
One of.. if not the best Hip-Hop album of ’11 thus far
ohhhh the black hand side. 5/5 no doubt!
Many nice songs. Best one is Assassins for sure!
VERSATILITY, WOW WOW WOW
Pharoahe Monch for President. Best of 2011.
.
im a big fan of pharoahe but this and his last album just dont exite me i would like to hear pharoahe on some darker,clinical,evil type shit. go checkout organized konfusion,s first two albums or pharoah monch solo debut internal affairs.
Pharoahe, Talib, Immortal Technique and Eminem’s albums have to become required listening for all newcomer MC’s.