Search - Ghostface Killah :: Fishscale

Ghostface Killah- Fishscale

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ghostface Killah (AKA Tony Starks) provides a quality album with his fifth solo release "Fishscale" (2006). I have been bumping this album since I got it, from the opener "The Return of Clyde Smith" (skit) to the albums closer "Three Bricks" feat. the late great Notorious B.I.G. & Raekwon, Ghostface takes his audience through a memorable & original journey on this twenty four track (including skits) release. Ghostface delivers raw fastpaced rhymes on "Shakey Dog", and hooks up with his Cuban Linx brethren Raekwon for "Kilo". One of my early favorites is "The Champ", love the intro to this cut, hypes up a track which Ghostface kills. The whole Wu-Tang clan reunites for a banger "9 Milli Bros", love hearing them back together, even ODB (R.I.P.) is included on this cut. Some entertaining skits follow, and then Raekwon and Ghostface team up again for more thug stories on "R.A.G.U.". Backed by a distinctive sample from J Dilla (R.I.P.) Ghost then delivers "Whip You With A Strip" remembering being a bad kid who got beats. I saw the video for "Back Like That" the other day, Ghostface and up and coming singer Ne-Yo collaborate for another outstanding track. Ne-Yo's sings soulfully and Ghost's lyrics on point, making this cut the lead single makes sense. Ghostface delivers an upbeat & funny cut with "Be Easy" which features his "Put It On The Line" rhyme partner Trife. Grimy street cuts like "Clipse of Doom" feat. Trife & "Dogs of War" feat. Raekwon & Theodore Unit follow. His son "Sun God" is included on this cut. This whole album is full of creative concepts, "Underwater" being another good example. "Momma" is a heartfelt cut, backed by some smooth singing from Megan Rochell, Ghost drops some deep rhymes. The albums closer, which I previously mentioned, is another standout, Biggies verse is dope and Ghost and Raekwon hold their own alongside him on "Three Bricks". For some people who are new to Ghostface it may take you awile to get used to his flow, I recommend taking that time and listening to this album fully. Ghostface Killah takes his listeners on an entertaining and creative ride, providing a memorable album with "Fishscale", recommend checking it out."

Excellent album, 4.5 mic album easily !!

Mrs. J. Carroll | England | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album really shows the versatility ghostface shows in his material from the crazy amazingly dope story tellin (shakey dog and barbershop) to the raw lyricism type tracks such as dogs of war, clipse of doom, be easy etc



love this album for a few different reasons...



(1) Ghostface came with the intention of spitting heat, and has done that throughout the album....there isn't one cut where he didn't give his all lyrically, and that is a very, very, VERY rare thing in todays rap game where just about everyone is focusing solely on how they say it as opposed to what they are saying or how creative they are in what they say.



(2) Ghostface is telling stories...something that is very uncommon in todays game as well......and not only that, but he's not keeping it simple, he's actually putting depth into his stories and carries that concept throughout the album.....what tops it all off is the fact that he's got sound effects in the background to his stories, something that instantaneously makes the stories more interesting and keeps you listening more than once......



(3) his beats fit his lyrics and his voice and flow....he didn't just pick the hottest, most catchiest beats and spit some hot garbage over them, he picked beats that complimented his voice and flow....again, something relatively non-existent among most rappers...



(4) he realized he didn't need a hook to everything, or at least a hook that is stuck in your head...e.g., Shakey Dog...striaght heat, with no chorus



(5) his album is consistent throughout...its not like most albums that are either strong at the front end or back end and throw in filler in the middle or filler in the middle of its singles



(6) his potential singles are consistent with the theme of the album, and display his charisma as opposed to the catchyness of the hook.....his single (Back Like That) also utilizes the ability to get someone to sing on the track without overdoing it and leaving the song hip hop as opposed to pop.



(7) its long...granted there are a lot of skits, but this has a good amount of songs to keep the listener satisfied



(8) the skits are good...someone that is about as rare as Young Jeezy deciding not to adlib on a song



(9) he carries the album himself and though there are various guest spots throughout, they are either complimentary to him, or are there to duet (i.e., Raekwon)



(10) he doesn't appear to have really sacrificed anything for sales...he stayed true to his own style and the style that got him this far for sales....someone, again, that is relatively non-existent in this day & age.



i'd give this album a solid 4.5/5 and recognition as the best album thus far in 2006



Congrats Ghostface Killah....unlike most your rap peers, you didn't disappoint"

Not Only the WU, but he also saved HIPHOP as well.

The King Speaks!!! | Taft,USA | 08/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"INSTANT CLASSIC!They say you should wait 'til at least 10 years to consider an album of this magnitude a classic....!&@# DAT!CLASSIC material,deal with it."