Search - Willie D., Willie D :: I'm Goin Out Like a Soldier

Classic!!

Vendetta | Philly | 07/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I still have the original cd that I got in '92! This album brings back alot of memories of my crazy and wild days! I'm from the Philly area, and I think me and my boys were the only ones around that knew about Willie D and the Geto Boys. My favorite songs on the album would be "Trenchcoats & Gangster hats" and "My Alibi" But over all definatly a sentimental favorite from my teenage days! Great album from Beginning to end Willie D never pulls any punches! He's a wild dude!"

"We Can't Be Stopped" it's not (2.5/5)

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 01/29/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After the national success of Geto Boys' excellent 1991 LP "We Can't Be Stopped," member Willie D soon left the group and released his second solo album, "I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier," within a year. It's pretty evident that Willie was trying to capitalize on the success of that album, because many elements of that album are also present here. The bare bones production, yelling chants for hooks, and delivering lyrics that are extremely controversial. But the problem is that none of the material on this album is even close in quality or effectiveness as the music on "We Can't Be Stopped." Where all of that album comes across as heartfelt and relevant, "I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier" is rarely so. I believe Willie D to be an excellent MC, and I have always loved his Geto Boys work and really love him because he's so multi-dimensional. But on this release, he is actually quite one dimensional. Every song here is an angry, crazy effort to come across as wild and controversial. I really like Willie when he's crazy like that, but I also like the songs where he digs deeper and shows a little social consciousness, and there's not really any of that here. You sort of get the feeling that he's trying to be controversial simply for the sake of it. The production actually sounds quite dated for a 1992 release, mostly lacking the southern-fried simple genius of "We Can't Be Stopped." There are certainly a handful of good songs on "I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier," a few that capture the fist-pumping rebelliousness of the best Geto Boys songs, but the lack of original subject matter and repetitiveness make it an album that would be okay to pass on.



After the intro, the album begins with the title track, which may well be the best on the album. It's one of the few that really recaptures the charismatic anger of the early Geto Boys group albums, and Willie's delivery and rhymes are quite effective. "Pass the Piote" is actually quite good as well, drawing in the listener with a good hook chant and opening rap. Things begin to slow down on "Die," a lethargically slow and predictable threatening song that isn't original. "Clean Up Man" has a terrible chorus and is poorly executed. "U Ain't No Ganksta" shows decent production and delivery, but Willie's rhymes feel very familiar. "Trenchcoats-N-Gangsta Hats" is a highlight on the album, a rallying cry for the mobster attire of the old days. "F... Rodney King" was obviously this album's most controversial song, a song condemning the social leader as an Uncle Tom and a softie. This song is pretty effective, but I think it could be better, and the outro that depicts Rodney being murdered on the street is a little distasteful. "Go Back 2 School" is a pretty good but forgettable song telling kids to get an education. "U Still a N..." is an odd and awkward mix of reggae and rap. "Little Hooker" condemns a certain woman, and the awful "Yo P My D" is just painful. The album ends with the just-decent "What's Up N..." and one of the better songs, "My Alibi."



Over the years I've heard this album described as slept-on, and it's true that it didn't get the right promotion or attention for a Geto Boys project, but as far as I'm concerned for an album to be slept on it actually has to be a great album. The truth is that "I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier" is a weak effort from a great MC, an album of standard and predictable 1992 gangsta fare without anything to really set it apart. It might be a cliché, but I'd say to stick with the classics in this case, as "We Can't Be Stopped" and fellow Geto Boy Scarface's classic album "The Diary" are far superior efforts to this, and as this is now out of print paying $50+ would simply be outrageous. This isn't one of those lost gems of the Rap-a-Lot/Geto Boys catalog. For those looking for a Willie D solo album, I might suggest his 1994 effort "Play Witcha Mama," an album far superior to this one."

Willie d is the best . i want this cd.

M. Pacheco | 08/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"his music is great i have listened to his music ever since hes been singing. ive bought this cd and controversy but ive lost them i would like o get them again."