Droppin' Bombs like Saddam.
Pablo | 07/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Getchya tool, homies. Pastor Troy has returned, with an explosive album straight outta Atlanta. The ATLiens has long been known as one of the crunkest rappers in the game; and as someone who hasn't been on a major label in quite awhile(remember his dispute with BME?), Troy also remains one of the most underrated emcees coming out of the South, and hip-hop in general today. His energy on the microphone is virtually unmatched; dude literally sounds like he's about to buss some heads open everytime he picks up the mic. Tool Muziq, which was originally known as Saddam, is no different.
Besides having one of the most awesome album covers of the year(for once, you can judge a book by its cover), Troy brings his A-game, literally, on the quality of the material within. While this album will likely move about as many units as another Southern classic this year(Devin's Waitin' To Inhale), sales certainly don't mean ish to Troy. He's just doing what he loves to, and that's entertaining his fans with some trill ish. The title track starts this album off on a high-note, as the legendary DJ Squeeky produces a banging beat that makes you wanna get off your seat, and bounce someone off a concrete pavement. Troy urging you to grab your tools only helps amplify the intensity of this hard-edge track. The following track, Saddam, produced by the criminally underrated Shawty Redd is a track of Godzilla proportions, as Troy comes charging at you in an armored tank, threatening to bomb anyone who opposes him. With his high-pitched squeal, yet seamless flow, Troy lets us know that he's about to drop a bomb like Saddam.
The next two tracks, That's The Move and I'm F'd Up, follow the same formula as the last two, brandishing pistols and chugging alcohol like there's no tomorrow while trying to get some bad girls at the crib. The track following these is the first big surprise on this album, as it sports one of the dopest beats of all time; DJ Paul and Juicy J's Late Nite Tip. The original version by Three 6 Mafia is an undisputed Southern classic, and this sequel of sorts, featuring Three 6's former first-lady, Gangsta Boo, does justice to its predecessor. I Want You is definitely not a rehash like some of the more recent other rap songs that use old beats(Mos Def' Crime and Medicine comes to mind, as that song hurt Liquid Swords' rep), and if anyone could've made a sequel to this classic Three 6 track, it's definitely Troy.
It slows down quite a bit with The Belt, which is more of an interlude than a full-fledged track. Troy doesn't rhyme at all on it, which is confusing. It's too long of an interlude at over three minutes, and the only real blemish on this otherwise phenomenal album. Troy makes up for it with the dope No Money, followed by the DJ Squeeky laced Hard For The Money, which samples the 70s song of a similar name. The next two tracks are both produced by Shawty Redd, Digital featuring D4L's Fabo and In My Truck featuring Hitman Sammy Sam. Digital is a dope club track featuring the often misunderstood Fabo, he does his usual crooning, if you can call it that, on the hook. In My Truck With Me is weird in the sense that Troy talks with Shawty in the beginning about who he'll collaborate with on the track, before it finally starts. This track definitely features some of Shawty's crawling production that he's famous for after his work with Jeezy, only sped up to a different pitch to match Troy's vocals. Troy drops a hot first verse, with Sammy coming in for a second verse, tearing the club down with his, while also constructing the chorus. Sam's the last of the few guest appearances on the album, and Troy holds it down for the rest.
Still Looking is a dope track, even if it is the most materialistic Troy gets on the entire album, as he screams that some honey is looking at his slab the entire track. I'm Down is Troy's self-produced track on the album, and has some heavy guitar accents on the song. With a haunting melody featured in the background, Troy tones his delivery down a bit to deliver some introspective lyrics. If rappers' street-credentials really DID equal sales, Troy would go platinum off this track alone. Long time fans of the Pastor should definitely enjoy this track quite a bit. The following track is one of my favorites, as it features the beat from 2Pac's Until The End of Time, which also samples Mr. Mister's Take These Broken Wings. I was never a fan of 2Pac's single using this beat, but Pastor Troy definitely takes this beat, and makes it his own, ripping this beat to shreds. Joe Budden did the same thing last year with his Broken Wings freestyle, and it's nice to hear a Southern take on it after Joe's last year. Will He Come Home Tonight is produced by Drumma Boy(famous for U.S.D.A.'s White Girl, also featuring his signature intro). Much like I'm Down, this track is dedicated to the gritty streets from which Troy hails; but, he also mentions how he never meant to be gangsta, or hard on this track. It just happened for Troy, and while he never intended on it to happen, he's still proud of what he's become today, while praying for all his 'gangstas and his real ninjaz.' A deep track from a deep artist.
Pastor Troy's Tool Muziq is an album that any hip-hop head, Southern or not, should feel. This is dope music, and you don't have to look any further in 2007 to find it. Grab this on July 3rd, and support Pastor Troy."
Better
Jason Machen | Los Angeles, CA | 08/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The previous albums from Pastor Troy lack replay value, but "Tool Muziq" drives me to listen to it more. This is one of the better albums from the Georgia native because this album is more focused. Of course he screams a lot, but the music blends well with his style. Pastor Troy brings out different moods in this album, such as the sex frenzy, "Wanting You" f/Gangsta Boo, the wild out "Sadaam", or the party banger track w/D4L. Don't sleep on the lyrics either, because he speaks some truth on here. BTW this album is better than T.I.'s."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1