Reviews (page 5 of 8)
This was super fun. Old school hip hop, funny lyrics, good flows. 3.5
Soul Flower // Passin’ Me By // 2.5/5
3.75
old school gangsta Rap
Wow, this was unexpectedly good. It had me grooving for a good bit of it.
Good mood hip hop with grooving beats.
Listened to this in my office at school. Not my usual genre but I could see the merits and quite enjoyed it. 5/10
Really fun! Then you catch some of the lyrics
Good music. Not incredible, but really good.
fun goofy but kinda samey. 3.
good jazz samples, good flow, but some of the lyrics... yikes.
Pretty cool man
Stoner rap with tongue firmly in cheek. But it's not just "ya mama" jokes, The Pharcyde are real yearners - Passin' Me By a real standout heartfelt track. Beats great throughout. Maybe this one will grow on me, and likely gets a re-listen.
We’re back in this horrible text box, rather than the notes app. After a long hiatus and a day yesterday that felt like punishment, it is now time to interact with a group that I don’t have much knowledge of. Looking through the track listing, it appears that firstly, I will not be able to type most of these song titles, and second, I’m going to have to sit through an ungodly amount of interludes. Why must rap albums do this? Please appeal to my autism addled brain by just having 8-12 songs that are all songs and don’t change from release to release. Please? No? Well, whatever. It’s time for a bizarre ride (II). Oh and if I’ll probably skip interludes, at least in terms of reviews. Oh Shit - Very early 90s but there is enough fun in the verses where I’m pretty happy so far. Hoping the flows switch up to some extent as we venture down this rollercoaster. Hey. Now we have an early 90’s transgender panic verse. No album is complete without it. 4 Better or 4 Worse - This reminds me of some of that weird Texas horror core shock stuff. I kind of like where it goes near the end. Almost ignoring the bizarre beginning lending a very eccentric quality to the song. It’s keeping my attention for sure. I don’t really care for the shock rap lyrics, but the beat is good, and the end sort of saves it. I’m That Type of Ni**a - It’s so lame, but I still don’t really think I should be typing this word for the internet. I’ve typed some other inane shit, but I stand by most of that. Solid beat and energetic deliveries here. Hell yeah. Soul Flower (Remix) - Beat is so infectious but the lyrics are just kind of dumb. A lot of hip-hop from this era seemed to depend on just making rhymes. Hey uh huh hey I’m makin’ rhymes doin’ times chimes himes, plimes jimmy jammin’ fiddle dee dee climbs. Boom. I’m a revolutionary poet in 1992. On the DL - Man these beats are so good. I believe this is the story on this group. The production is just next level. The lyrics are still whatever to me. I’ve heard people mention a unique brand of humour? Hey, if you’re tickled by detailed stories of a guy jerking off in his girlfriend’s bathroom, then I’m sure you’ll can listen to this on your way to the MENSA meeting. Officer - Another great beat. The Public Enemy thing is pretty funny to be fair. Fine. I will admit that. Ya Mama - Calling somebody’s mama “a sellout” is also funny. The humour is starting to come through a little bit. Passin’ Me By - I do really enjoy the high-pitched rapper’s delivery. It creates some sonic variety between each of the members. He usually says really dumb stuff, but on this beat? He could say almost anything. Any of them could. A very very enjoyable rap song. Otha Fish - THIS SONG SUCKS. Why is this such a departure? Pack The Pipe - Decently funny stoner anthem. Enjoyable. Return of the B-Boy - A party closer to the record. Very celebratory and happy. This is a mostly inoffensive, happy record that has an infectious nice feeling. I suppose that’s what can say about it. I typically gravitate towards albums that are angry or have something negative to say about, well, anything. That’s a very base reduction of my music tastes, but it does generally ring true that when presented with “happy” albums, I tend to be bored. That’s was not the case here as the jokes (whether they landed or not) were frequent and the production/beats were sublime. I’m all tuckered out writing as evidenced by another piss poor review. At least the music was enjoyable. 3-3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: I’m That Type of Ni**a, Passin’ Me By, Pack the Pipe
There she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian.
Took a couple of listens to sink in, but this was nice. A few outdated lyrics, but a nice selection of flows, some good humour, and a great combination of jazzy samples with the boom-bap. I'd probably still pick an Outkast LP over this...or De La Soul or Kendrick or several others...but generally it's NOT BAD. A strong 3. Would have been 4 if Drop was on here...
6/10
"Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" is an energetic and fun album, blending light jazz-inspired melodies with a solid backbeat. The production is polished, and the tracks have a smooth, laid-back vibe that makes it easy to listen to. However, as the album progresses, the sound starts to feel repetitive, and no single track manages to stand out. At nearly an hour long, it could have benefited from some trimming. Ultimately, while it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me, I can still appreciate the craftsmanship. I’ll lean towards a three-star rating, focusing on the positives. Would I listen again? No. Would I Buy this album? No. 1 "4 Better or 4 Worse" (Interlude)- 3 2 "Oh Shit"- 3 3 "It's Jiggaboo Time" (Skit)- 3 4 "4 Better or 4 Worse"- 2 5 "I'm That Type of Nigga"- 3 6 "If I Were President" (Skit)- 2 7 "Soul Flower" (Remix)- 2 8 "On the DL"- 2 9 "Pack the Pipe" (Interlude)- 2 10 "Officer"- 3 11 "Ya Mama"- 3 12 "Passing Me By"- 3 13 "Otha Fish"- 2 14 "Quinton's on the Way" (Skit)- 1 15 "Pack the Pipe"- 3 16 "Return of the B-Boy"- 3 Total - 40 Average - 2.50
Noty favorite
Always love some early 90s hip hop beats. There wasn't anything that left a lasting impression, but it was fun to listen to a group I hadn't really ever heard of. Good for some background music vibes and I definitely appreciated the skits not being so goofy.
3.5
Para ser rap no esta mal, pero no creo que lo escuche mas veces
pretty cool
It's rap, but it feels like kid-stuff.
Черныши наваливают
Early 90's hip hop beats that are still good. Tons of samples from this album have been used, some are very recognizable. Every song is a story. Flows are all distinct but work bad ass with each other.
I like the vibe, but I guess it's not blowing my mind. Laughed at quite a lot of the lyrics (I think I was meant to?) Really enjoyed the moments of jazz influence, but they didn't seem to come too often. the live drums on the some of the skits sound great On 2nd listen I definitely got more into it. May revisit.
Cover 7 I don't listen to a lot of hip hop lately, so I'm probably not the best person to judge. For one, I generally don't care for braggadocio songs (how many ways can you say "I rock the mic?"). However, throw something like this with funk and groove and I'm in. I prefer the second half of this album with one or two from the front half. Overall, a good listen and I'm not mad I got to discover them.
I enjoyed the music to an extent but the juvenility of the lyrics started to wear thin after a while. I have a childish sense of humour, but mine is more that of a 15 year old, whereas this album's is more that of an 11 year old.
I've enjoyed most of the hip hop albums that I have got so far on this generator. This wasn't exactly my favorite, but it did grow on me with time. Sometimes it's wackiness comes across as uncomfortable, and other times its incredibly charming and fun. I would say I enjoyed about half of the album, so I think a down the middle rating is fair.
Not a huge hip hop fan but this was ok. It was very vulgar, but the delivery was crisp and clear and the beat was a good pace to actually listen to the lyrics.
Pretty groovy!
Not something I enjoy the most, and they kept saying the N word. Low 3/5
Classic 90’s rap
Listened to - on the plane. Sound - Musically it's pretty interesting. Which is more than you can say for most hip-hop/rap. Lyrically it's all over the place.
Liked the actual musical aspects which is better than most rap I imagine But the lyrics were a bit up and down. Not sure any song needs to be talking about cracking people’s heads open and eating their brains. Pretty enjoyable
Bit of a rollercoaster for me. Assumed it would be dated and annoying but then loved it to start with and was thinking 4, then got bored and thought 3, then a "your mama" song made me contemplate a 4 again but quickly got bored again
much like my review of PJ Harvey's "Dry", I ahve to respect the record for its rhythms, rhymes, and hilarious rapping. But ultimately, not at all in my wheelhouse.
I had fun with this one
Just like its cover, the album has its ups and downs.
Alright, kind of fun 90’s upbeat pop rap
Enjoyed the old-school beats, and liked some tracks more than others. Maybe more entertaining for the target audience but enjoyable enough. 2.75/5
Was fun, not too serious. 3/5
Solid album, but I prefer their second. Some great beats and interesting (...) lyrics!
Lot of fun, thoroughly enjoyed it. Very nostalgic and retro 90s rap.
I used to enjoy this album. It was fun and goofy with some nice rhymes. Now it is kind of grating and hard to listen to. Makes me sad. Return of the B Boy is my fave.
A decent album with some noticeable shortcomings. Lyrics are fun and funny, but a lot of the flow and backing tracks on songs is very dated and distinctly 90s. Unfortunately not my thing, but there are some strong hidden gems on this album that make a listen worthwhile. Top tracks: Soul Flower (Remix), On The DL, Return Of The B-Boy
God oldschool jazz rap jeg nød meget at lytte til.
I don't know much about hip-hop, but I enjoyed the flow and the beats, it's a fun album, though a bit long overall.
Fun, but it's so obviously meant to be played loud at a party gathering that it seems useless to talk about it in the context of listening to it while wearing headphones.
Back in '92, when West Coast rap was dominated by G-funk and gangsta tales, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde stood out as a quirky, jazz-soaked detour full of humor, emotion, and unfiltered personality. The Pharcyde delivered a technicolor debut where fun took priority over polish, with standouts like “Oh Sh--” showcasing playful cypher energy, and “Soul Flower (Remix)” riding on light funk and early 90s bounce. The group hit a sweet, sentimental spot with “Passin’ Me By,” their breakout track, blending trumpet loops with lovelorn storytelling, while “Otha Fish” offered a breezy, jazzy sing-rap style that hinted at their creative depth. Other tracks lean into the bizarre—“4 Better or 4 Worse” flirts with horrorcore, “On the DL” mismatches upbeat music with gangsta themes, and “Officer” parodies Public Enemy before diving into chaos. Though uneven and very much a product of its era, the album’s playful experimentation and raw charm still manage to entertain—mainly because it sounds like they’re having the time of their lives.
I had fun with this. The flow is insane and right up my alley. It's pretty stupid but I get the charm. Like the startingly misogynostoc 4 Better of 4 Worse has the lead rapping very recognizable venom and threats at some girl over the phone, with her blase reactions forming a kind of chorus which ends up being oddly (and almost certainly unintentionally) poignant.
his one was fun. Right out of the gate, it had that playful energy that reminded me a lot of De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest. The humor, the wordplay, the laid-back flow — all of that works really well, especially in the first few tracks. But somewhere along the way, it started to lose steam. The beats kind of blurred together and it shifted into background music. Not bad, just not as gripping as I wanted. Tribe keeps me engaged from start to finish. This one didn't quite stick the landing, but it's still a solid listen.
ja, ganz ordentlich, wenn's auch nicht meine Richtung ist
Very cool
I'm not into this kind of music, but I actually enjoyed it. 7/10
Pretty fun album, the goofyness is both a blessing and a curse. The beats flow really well here, but I wasn't really that impressed with the overall thing. It's fun and it sounds good but it probably needs a few more listens for me to appreciate it.
Not my kind of style of music, but pretty good for what it is. I only listened to 10/16 tracks.
Interesting, but not fantastic. I do like the Will Smith sound that they have. Not sure how much more 90's rap I can take though.
I've heard a couple of these tracks before. Didn't think they were awesome, but this album was more fun the longer I listened. I'd happily listen again. Is it any kind of ground breaking, exemplar of its genre type thing? No. Is it a fun listen to help you escape for an hour and forget Morrissey even exists? Yeah it is. Three stars. Three stars
It's just noooot quite there for me like some past hip-hop albums were. Nice enough sounding stuff, though (minus one song's verse)
A lot of fun, but very unlikely to enter my regular rotation.
The beats on this were stellar, probably the best hip hop production I've heard yet on this list. But I have to drop a full star on this one for the violently transphobic lyrics in Oh Shit, which is a damn shame because the album is pretty fire otherwise.
fun
2.5
Honestly, if there a type of hip hop I can at least lean towards it this type, loose and fun. I do like the way this kinda focuses on street life that's not so focused on the hard side, but good times that gets you through the hard times, without going into hippie dippy side of hip hop. Though still not on my solid wheelhouse, I feel I can return to this, and maybe, possibly it'll grow on me. (7.6) ★★★½
3.5
Nice!
Álbum divertido! QKZxHBB Hades.
90s odd future
"Passing me by" +1, juvenile dated hip hop
First time dealing with Pharcyde and pleasantly surprised! Early 90s rap is so much more fun than the more hardcore gangsta rap that dominated the time (and the time after). Love the jazz influence and pure comedy in the bars. A true fun ride that I'm glad I got a chance to jump on; I doubt I'd ever hear this album if not for this collection. Good shit! (cough still getting a 3, but def a 3 push 4)
Almost enjoyed this at times, but it overstayed its welcome in the end.
Fun. Foolin', but don't be fooled--they know what they're doing. Who knew there could be so much grammar? And, if I were rating for the proper use of the subjunctive, A+. These are killer rhymes
I really didn’t know how to feel about this one, mostly indifferent. There were some fun bits and other parts were just slightly objectionable. I guess I’ll just plump in the middle.
There was a lot I liked about this album. Good vibe, good bed tracks, some stellar delivery. But ultimately, the content of the lyric/rap was lacking. A little too juvenile to turn me on.
I was a little hot and cold on this one. It's fun and silly and groovy, and it comes out of the tradition of George Clinton and Fishbone. When it worked, it worked really well. There were, however, a couple of songs where the lyrics were questionable (at best), and they left a sour taste in my mouth. It's an artifact from hip-hops teen years, so I guess a little immaturity and bad taste is to be expected. Not sure if this belongs on the list, but when I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it a lot.
A fun but dated album. 3 bangers though
Still stuck with me from my first listen going through some of this list. Still don't know what to think. The old school instrumentation is spot on, and the lyrics quite clever. At times at least, because often times the subject matter at hand really limits how clever you can actually be.
Old skool kool. I’m not head over heels and there were parts of it I didn’t quite get - but I mostly enjoyed it.
Feels like Tribe or De La Soul but just not quite as good. Still a fun listen. 2.7/5 Favorites: Oh Shit, Soul Flower, Passin' Me By
Echt een prima en lachen album, maar wat is het verschil nou tussen al die 90s hiphop?
It's not bad, but there's nothing here that catches my attention. Rather, it just fades to the background.
As somebody who wasn't really familiar with the Pharcyde, this album kinda reminds me of old school WuTang beats, or Souls of Mischief, but far less serious lyrics. There are definitely some good songs on this album, but nothing that really stood out and wowed me, it felt a little too goofy for me to take it really seriously. Most of the songs had kind of uninspired, repetitive, and unmemorable hooks, but the diversity of rapping styles I think made this an interesting listen. Definitely a product of the time and place it was made, and while I enjoyed listening to it, nothing stood out as particularly noteworthy. Just kind of okay, 6.8/10
Ysäriräppiähän tämä, mutta kiinnostukseni herää levyn loppupuolen rennoissa biiseissä, niissä on hyvät taustat (Otha fish) ja hieman perus ysäristä poikkeava flow mun korvaani. Mut en tiiä onko ride niin bizarre, aika tasainen.
Saavat leikkaamisen ja liimaamisen kuulostamaan hyvältä. Paikoin todella hyvältä. Ja paikoin he vain sekoilevat. Monille varmasti osa yhtyeen charmia. Matala 3
Passin me by and Otha Fish are classic tracks. At their best a great blend of boom bap rap and saxophone. Annoyingly on some tracks the lyrics lose focus or just slide into purile humour (4 better or Worse / Ya Mama / Oh Shit)
I liked the Snoopy and Woodstock reference lol
Love the boom-bap sound and the energetic flow. The lyrics haven’t aged too well—a very 90s South Park-style sense of humor that isn’t really for me. So a mixed bag, but it’s worth hearing. Best song: Passin’ Me By
Not bad but not great either. A bit long to be as one-note as it is.
i’m that type of n***a
Very hit-or-miss. "Passin' Me By" is clearly the strongest track. The jokey songs don't hold up.
"Oh this album seems cool! Let's look at the first song's lyrics!" I said as I started the album. "Rah," says the transphobia as it transphobes all over the place. *sigh* Same as it ever was, I suppose. Yeah that one kind of gave me a bad first impression for the album. Did the rest of the album manage to be better and make up for it? Well, not quite, but I also wouldn't call this a bad album. There are definitely things to enjoy about Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. The big one for me is the production, which I really like. It's nice and jazzy. It definitely gives off some A Tribe Called Quest vibes, which is never a bad thing. The skits are also mostly solid. Some of them are kind of funny, as are some parts of the lyrics. The writing is probably the biggest hit-or-miss aspect of this album for me. You have big problems like the aforementioned transphobia verse on "Oh Shit" and a general sense of questionable attitudes towards women that runs through the whole album, but there are some funny moments to, with some songs being pretty good. "Passin' Me By" is a highlight. The rapping itself isn't my favorite, but it's good. Not everyone can be Pac or Biggie. Overall, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is a flawed album that hasn't aged the best, but has some elements that make the album stick out as a unique one for the time in some good ways. 3/5.
(32 known/66 new)
yeah good 90s Hip Hop Album i guess
Moments of the Pharcyde I like, but overall very samey accross the board and yet another Hip Hop album falling prey to doing too little with too much runtime.
Reading about this before listening did not give me much hope of liking it - "filled with skits" etc, for me the worst part of any hiphop album - but i'll admit the music and rapping on this was generally way better than I'd hoped for. The silliness is pervasive for sure but the best of it gives a strong P-Funk vibe. Good organic music throughout. Some of it is just downright idiotic of course so I'm not likely to give it a front to back listen again but I'd definitely put some of these on a playlist or just create one that deletes the skits. (also the skits just make the album feel way longer than it already is) fave cut: "Otha Fish" 5/10 3 stars.
Wanted to like this more than I did. Just got too repetitive. 3
The beats are groovy and fun, the vocal delivery is interesting and keeps interest, but the lyrics are far from my favorite. I’m That Type of N***a has a call and response format that reminds me of campfire songs (Roll call, etc). Very cool old-school hip hop track filled with boast and swagger. Passin’ Me By is a top tier classic hip hop song.
Good but nothing super stands out
Hip pop
It's cool. 2nd track is my favourite
2.81
Думал поставить 2 балла, но, в конце концов, рэпчина прикольный. Заводной. Разорвать вагину кулаком -- это, конечно, мощно.
Solid bit of fun.
This was super fun. I've never heard of these guys before and I love how irreverent they are.
Surprisingly good - some real bangers - good production and beats for '92. Just had Fear of a Black Planet (Public Enemy) from '90 a couple days ago and this feels like night and day better - fuller sound, more complete tracks, just more fun in general. Enough stuff to listen to that if it's on, I'd usually be good to leave it on.
I was head bobbin through much of it, then I started really paying attention to what they were saying. Your mom jokes and shock factor impress me less now. Still kept listening though
Rap, Hip-Hop, eigentlich ganz nett zum anhören.
Definitely a weird one. Not sure how I feel about it.
Bit dated but still enjoyable
I wasn't aware of this group or album. Despite a few cringy and dated skits, it was quite a fun album!
Lots to like here from some really talented musicians but like so many hip hop records of the early 90s, too much graphic and juvenile bs for me. I like all the references to other hip hop bands, like BDP, PE and De La Soul. These guys have good taste! p.s. it was only from listening to this just now that I fully recognized that The Pharcyde and Insane Clown Posse are two unrelated bands. For the last thirty years they have inexplicably occupied the same cubby hole in my mind.
It's nice to have a series of unknown (to me) albums and bands from this collection, and this one largely works (for me). It's definitely not earth-shattering, and it feels a bit like this will always remain in some weird cul-de-sac of hip-hop, following the footsteps of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, but from the other coast. Some of the tracks kind of fall flat (even one of their singles, "4 better or 4 worse"), but most of the album is entertaining, albeit occasionally in a kind of sophomoric way; my favorites were probably "Soul fish", the ultimate insult-track "Ya Mama", "Passin' me by" and the relatable "Otha fish". Mainly, I just enjoyed the distinct lack of braggadocio and gangsta-style posturing on an album that was released in a time and place where that wasn't particularly trendy, and I also liked it that they had some roots with the show "In Living Color".
Something a bit different.
01) 4 Better or 4 Worse - / 02) Oh Shit - 7,5 03) It's Jiggaboo Time - 5,0 04) 4 Better or 4 Worse - 7,0 05) I'm That Type of Nigga - 6,5 06) If I Were President - 6,0 07) Soul Flower (Remix) - 7,5 08) On the DL - 6,5 09) Pack the Pipe - / 10) Officer - 7,0 11) Ya Mama - 7,5 12) Passin' Me By - 7,5 13) Otha Fish - 7,5 14) Quinton's on the Way - 6,0 15) Pack the Pipe - 7,0 16) Return of the B-Boy - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,82 (68/100) Current ranking: 332/498
Strange sexual lyrics like most 90’s rap, but not bad as a whole.
Unique and fun, but not amazing.
Fun listen Good reminder 90s hip hop wasn’t all gangster murder violence music Found myself focusing more on the beats than the lyrics at times…..probably because yesterday was a John Coltrane album. Runnin’ is still one of my favorite songs of theirs (even though it’s not on this album)
Very well done. Sounds, rhythm, groove. Content is not for me, but it's good.
Alright. The highs are good, but the lows are boooooriiiiing ⭐⭐⭐
Fun beats, great backing tracks, enjoyable rap however it doesn't pivot towards doing much that is special.
That that was some delightfully eccentric classic rap
A bit juvenile for me. There’s good potential here, but much like the Beasties’ License To Ill, it’s a caricature of itself. Too much rapping and singing about tail chasing and not enough cleverness or originality. Passin’ Me By is a classic, but knowing that they would later record Runnin’ makes this album a bit of a disappointment.
Not my style but some interesting sounds.
I know the hits… now to hear the rest! It was just… fine?
Well done hip hop style.
Music is good, but man the lyrics are fucking dumb
Decent fun, not meant to think much Rating: 3.3
Not my genre, but was an absolutely fun listen. Playful, quirky, and offered contrast to the harder-edged scene at the time
Fun and classic, of its era. I really like Passin' Me By which almost pushes it to 4. This is the second album we've heard (afaict) to quote/riff on the line "I got a letter from the government the other day", which we also had the original for, so that must be one of the top quotes of the 1001 albums.
this was super fun and new to me.
upbeat and funny, not my jam
I like the upbeat, funky nature of the beats and I like their vibe. It's pretty good fun.
Ya mama is one of my favorite rap songs ever!
I had not heard of this group or album before this project, and I grabbed this album before it actually popped up on my feed today, so I listened to the album before I have to actually rate it today. This is a lot different hip hop/rap during the early 90's. Much more on the lines of Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, but more raw. Great album, good for any throwback rap session. Songs to not miss: Oh Shit Pack the Pipe Return of the B-Boy 3.25/5
Worth a listen. Not my favourite but didn’t find myself wanting to turn it off.
Cool
This album is so weird. I love it. What a wild ride to the Pharcyde.
Not in the mood
Put this on because I was enjoying my music too much to do work. I can't work if I know the words to a song. or I can work but like im writing a paper so im thinking the wrong words yk. My paper is on AI and Ethics and I looked myself up on chat gpt for research and it was very freaky how much it told me about myself so I guess it can do my review of this album: Based on the available information, Iniyaa is a student-athlete majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, with a background in hurdles and jumps. She has also been involved in projects related to coding and music genres during her time at Del Norte High School. However, there is no specific information about her personal music preferences or familiarity with Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. Therefore, it's difficult to accurately assess how she might feel about the album. Chat gives it a 4.5/5.
Decent
It’s another 90s rap album, and another album that’s passed me by. Once more, there’s a respectable selection of beats, interesting but ultimately cliché lyricism, and (as always) a selection of skits. From what I could deduce in this vague haze of lyrics, there’s some storytelling. Whether it’s any good, I didn’t play extremely close attention, so I can’t tell you. I’m certainly in the minority here, but the case seems to be that once I’ve heard one of these sorts of albums, I’ve heard them all. Sure, if this was the only CD in my car, or if I forced myself to listen to it over again, I’d grow to love it - it has the potential. But on first listen, I certainly don’t find myself wanting to return. I guess it’s luck of the draw that this album got drawn after the other highly-acclaimed 90s rap albums. That are always, always, over an hour long. Why are they all that long?
Fun listen
the top rated review for this album is hilarious. go read that one instead
Decent hip-hop album. "Soul Flower - Remix" funny. "Otha Fish" good along with hit "Passin' Me By".
I am by no means a hip hop expert, but I do love the meter and the way they use different audio loops
This was fun, but not really my style.
I can see how this was such a popular album, but still not my jam.
I always brace myself when an album begins with an interlude, but 4 Better Or 4 Worse was a jazzy kick in the butt to start this album on a good note. The piano and fuzzy percussion on Oh Shit really drive the track and there's a lot of emotion and enunciation in the rapping – something that's surprisingly rare in 90s hip-hop. Then we shift into the skit It's Jiggaboo Time, and it becomes obvious that The Pharcyde is establishing a trend of goofy, chaotic interludes. These are my favourite interludes of any hip-hop record I've heard on this list. 4 Better Or 4 Worse is the first stinker track, having some pretty nauseating lyrics detailing two people doing the deed. The wah-wah keyboard is fine in isolation but does little to help the song out of this poor-songwriting rut. I'm That Type Of Nerd is on the verge of being pretty good. The one thing holding it back, in my opinion, is the exceptionally monotone rapping. From earlier tracks, I know this group's ability to inject emotion into a vocal is fairly good – so what happened here? The horn lick is good until you realise that it's exactly one repeated bar for five minutes. And then it becomes goshdarn annoying. If I Were President is (sonically) a welcome break from that previous track, and a reminder that The Pharcyde is, strangely, much better at writing interludes than writing full-length songs. Most of the remaining songs are good, the exceptions being the bland On The DL and Return Of The B-Boy. The lead single Passin' Me By has a great bassline, but the songwriting really clings to that, because the rapping wasn't all that interesting. And of course, the interludes and skits are all oddly great. This album's an anomaly in that regard. 3/5 Key tracks: 4 Better Or 4 Worse, If I Were President, Quinton's On The Way
5/10…west coast hip hop
Enjoyed this a lot but it didn't quite take me to the places some of the 90s hip-hop has. I guess it's a bit more jazzy and feels like more of an RnB blueprint. I appreciate the fact its lyrical content is more comic and ridiculous humour than the more aggressive themes we were getting from the likes of Snoop and NWA. Overall great grooves but I'd say I 'liked', rather than 'loved' it.
For me it's about beats and hooks for hip hop. The beats here are pretty good, and the hooks are OK. On a few tracks it really comes together for me, some others are a miss. I'd still be happy to return to this.
No tanto
Its a good album but i like others from them more I believe. 3.5
Loin d'être un mauvais album, mais même pour l'époque je le trouve un peu innofensif en comparaison à beaucoup de trucs similaires qui se faisaient, surtout des groupes comme ATCQ. Reste que c'est respectable comme musique. 6/10
The album's wacky storytelling and light-hearted playfulness provides an alternative to the pessimistic, hardcore hip hop that had ruled the scene at the time. Alas, it does seem unfocussed and "let's see what this button does" at times.
Aldrig hört men låter väldigt mycket som Will Smith. Oh Shit är lite kul. Kan relatera. Mina kunskaper i hip hop är begränsade men den här 90- tals hip hopen kan jag uppskatta. Ganska enkel och svängig. Bra skiva på det stora hela.
Lattjo hiphop. Man rör töntig ibland. Ändå sköna beats (om än outdated).
Robert envisas med att plocka ut hiphop från sent 80- och tidigt 90-tal (för att de var föregångare får man gissa), trots allt fantastiskt som sprutade ut bara ett par år senare men som uppenbarligen inte platsar. Jag gillar Pharcyde, men deras skiva från 95 är bättre av precis samma skäl som jag redan skrivit i hälften av alla tidigare hiphop-recensioner.
Jazzy samples and wordy verses - like a West coast Native Tongues: upbeat, funny, and wide ranging.
think I had too much hip hop today.... this was a draaag although I could hear why people probably think of it as a seminal album in hip hop's formation. I'm gonna hold judgement and go down the middle
Lived up to it's name.
I had never heard of The Pharcyde. It’s as if the rhymes were written by 8th grade boys. At times humorous- at times dumb. But always delivered with energy and a fun attitude.
Some good stuff here. Also some rap trope shit in full effect.
First half of the album is strong but it drops off quite a bit in the second half. Decent but somewhat dated.
I mean why not just listen to the Beastie Boys?
I feel like this should be more fun than it is? I can tell they have personality but why are they wasting it on Your Mom jokes??
I didn't think I would like this because I am not a big hip hop fan but I liked parts of it.
I liked some of the songs, but it's not my genre of choice.
Excellent beats and quirky lyrics. I found myself getting into the flow time and time again, but ultimately it is dated and niche. A fun conversation piece, though!
Enjoyed the production, live drums and general relaxed sound. Passin' me by is a great track. Solid 3
I like some good ambient stuff so this was a solid listen.
2.7 2x
This one sits between a three and a four. The last third of the album is classic, but the front of the album has one standout (4 Better or 4 Worse). Those songs are strong! But not enough to pull up the rest.
Liked it - my love of 90s and 2000 hip hop supports this album :)
Definitely a lot of different 90s rap influences, a cross between a bit of house of pain cypress Hill with a little added funk.
sounded very 90s
Twas cool.
Good stuff.
Didn't mind this except the lyrics.
I see what they were going for, but I feel like the execution just didn't work out. But that can sort-of be expected during such a revolutionary time of Hip-Hop.
I enjoyed this but whenever I tuned in and caught what they were saying, I cringed a bit
It was alright, there are better hip hop albums from the same era, maybe a little too raw and juvenile for me.
Beastie Boys lite.
Fun album. Solid listen.
3/5
Kind of fun, but overall too silly and dated. Not something I’d listen to again.
This is not my type of music whatsoever, but I can appreciate that it is an important step into the evolution of hip hop music. Better than REM.
Забавный джаз-рэп - это странное сочетание. Звучит довольно современно, по-моему. Лучшая песня - Passing Me By.
Really didn’t know what to expect with this one . But I didn’t hate it .
90s hip hop done well, first time hearing of them
das mir zu old school
+1 for nostalgia
Decent old school hip hop 5/10
More 90s hip hop that doesn’t do much for me.
So disappointing. Could have been a 5 but these lyrics are cringe af.
It was very fun to listen to it! Another good hip-hop album coming from this site :)
Fun album, 3*. Nothing that blew my mind, but enjoyed listening to it. Some lyrics were super silly. Highlights: soul flower
Some ok moments, will try again at some point but didn’t do much for me
Not my music, but sounded quite nice
I enjoyed this but for a comedy it can sound pretty dour at times.
This album is a PARTY. The party is a little polluted by the occasional grotesque lyric. I found myself wishing the “skits” were full tracks. These seem to be creative moments that don’t fit the mold of 90s hip-hop that they call “skits” to avoid criticism. I wish they’d let them shine.
I hadn't heard of The Pharcyde before getting this album. This was a lot of fun; their energy is infectious. Definitely of its time, but the sample work is classic. I'm unsure of if I'll revisit, so I have to score accordingly. Highlights: Oh Shit, On the DL, Ya Mama, Passin' Me By
This was funny and entertaining, but it's probably not something I'd listen to again.
Solid old school hip hop
Kinda weird but had some interesting parts
Nochmal anhören
Very hit or miss for me. A few I liked, most I didn't.
This album has to hit the sweet spot between too silly to listen to repeatedly and not heavy enough to take seriously and I think it hits that spot. I didn't love it on first listen and the third verse on "4 Better or 4 Worse" is certainly interesting. I think that's the test case for whether you would appreciate this album or not. I have written this very frequently of late...would I listen again? Probably not. I think I would recommend the album to others though, just because it is so bizarre enough for someone who likes 80's or 90's rap would want to hear it. These guys (and girl) are talented, so there is no doubt about that, though the beats do run together after a while. As always, editing is key.
Not as good as their artistic predecessors
like every other rap album of this era it just didn’t age very well HOWEVER this is one of the best rap albums that has been on the list so far! did NOT enjoy the rape song. 1.) passin me by 2.) ya mama (it was fun ok) 3.) i’m that type of —
A decent album, but like so many hiphop albums, it’s far too long
Ok
Not exactly what I expected. Weird, but also funny. Not a genre I usually prefer however this album was entertaining. Good flow and beats. I don't think I'd listen to it again though. Highlights: Oh Shit Soul Flower Ya Mama
I have really mixed feelings on this. Some of it was great, but some of it has aged so poorly. The skill and creativity were apparent, and I totally understand why this made the list, but overall I just didn’t love it.
I was doubtful about this one just from looking at the cover, but it is a perfect natural progression from the De La Soul album I had yesterday. This one is more outlandish and comedic though, it leans further into the cultivation of rap caricatures to carry the vibe. “Shot him in the ass on the downstroke” is pure poetry.
Hungover for this one, and really dreading it. True to my expectations, it was extremely puerile (were 'yo momma' jokes even cool in 1992?) and at times downright unpleasant. However, it creeps into the threes just about, because musically it was a lot more fun than I had it down for, and the vocal was much more towards the J5/De La Soul end of the genre than I'd feared.
Somewhere in between 2.5 and 3 stars. This album seems to be very hit or miss for me.
6.5/10 pretty solid cool stuff on there but just a lil boring sometimes for me.
One of the more pure fun albums I've heard in the hip-hop genre, you can tell these guys had so much fun making this. They've got really good flow too, they've just got a bunch of goofy ass bars. Fav songs: - Oh Shit - Passin' Me By
Really interesting fusion of jazz rap, conscious hip hop, and boom bap with some humor thrown in. Combining that was really ahead of the times, and this album doesn’t feel dated at all unlike lots of other 90s rap albums.
It has some good moments
fun but instantly forgettable. albums need to bring back skits though
Great album! The highlights of this are outstanding, though there is a lot of filler still.
Interesting listen. Could see this being influences to Odd Future I really want to give it a 4 but unfortunately I won’t listen again and have to keep it at a 3
Good 90’s hip hop album. Definitely their own sound, struggles a bit with lack of truly great tracks. Pretty good, just not at the level of other contemporary albums in that era. 3.5/5 Would listen again
Not bad.
shrugs
Based on the two singles I already know from this group (Passin' Me By and Runnin'), I expected to like this a lot more than I did. But the production really lets it down. I'm not sure exactly what the issue is - poor mixing maybe? There are a few great songs on here, but (as always), the skits are unnecessary. I'm glad those have fallen out of fashion for the most part. Soul Flower, Ya Mama (which I found much funnier than I expected), and Passin' Me By are the only songs that really stood out for me. Overall, worth a listen, but hasn't aged that well. Good to hear some alternative hip hop from the west coast in the early 90s though - glad it wasn't all gangsta.
There are some excellent hip hop tracks on this album. Soul Flower and of course Passin’ Me By are definitely the best. The jazz beats and native tongue raps are top notch. The flow overall is very strong. Some tracks and skits that are meant as comical are still pretty cringy, but easy to look past. Surprisingly great album from a lesser known 90s rap group.
Great hip hop, loved the instrumentals on the tracks too. Felt pretty original! 3.4
Oh shit I’m That Type of N***a Ya Mama Passin’ Me By Otha Fish Love the energy. Love the flow. Couple songs were questionable in the lyrics, but we got through it. Not my favorite but solid album. Would maybe listen to again in the future.
The cover is in the same genre as The Birthday Party and Megadeth albums I've just been served. But opening it up and looking at the track list, and the skits, I immediately knew we were in yet a different genre. Starting right the album is bouncy and fun and obnoxious and quite juvenile but also occasionally clever. Likable but dated (by which I mean problematic in places). Overall an entertaining listen which I think does belong on this list.
Its a bit of fun but it's not for me. But yeah it does sound like classic hip hop. Fave track: Otha Fish
Absolutely enjoyed this album and never remember hearing it! Ya mama got a glass eye with a fish in it--That line cracked me up. Jazzy and upbeat fun. I didn't take the lyrics seriously, but that's ok. I don't know who Quintin is, but he must be important
I remember hearing about The Pharcyde, but I never listened to them - that I'm aware of. It was interesting enough. Better than some on this list. Jump in.
Fun production, lyrically gets old fast. I've heard 'Passin Me By' so many times at an old job that I can go without that track for a long, long time.
Nothing and I mean NOTHING is more of sure thing than a hip hop album being too long, The Pharcyde doesn’t disappoint. That being said, it’s a good album, chill and grooves all the way there, it’s funny, maybe hasnt aged the best for some. 7.2/10
The Pharcyde have made their mark in the history of popular hip hop. It’s old school, but I mostly dig the album.
Interesting. I think the title says it all. Sounds like they are having fun.
Gangsta Rap for sure. Music was awesome, lyrical content was just a little too lighthearted and immature for my taste. Regardless, this certainly could’ve paved the way for other alternative rap to be considered legitimate. The jazz loops with backbeats are really good. Favorite Track: Passin’ Me By
3.5. I love the FUN and weird era of hip hop. Some of the lyrics were a little gross.
Interesting to be sure. Not my favorite in recent memory, but a cool romp.
I'm not much into hip hop but this is interesting Some #CatchyMelodies #GenreBlending with jazz & funk #MoodLifting
Todella kovia biittejä. En oo ihan varma näistä lyriikoista onks ne ihan mun juttu Passin' me by todella kova ralli
I liked the beats and the flow. A little dumb and childish, kinda like blink-182 for hip-hop
Solid mid 90s rap album
This album is hilarious. From tracks about lighting up with a small child to 4 minutes of 'your mama' jokes, it's kind of hard to find anything missing. This is the stereotypical example of the album "Mom didn't want you listening to" as a kid, and I like that. It's a bit too long and repetitive, but just an easy, good time.
The songs will get you bouncing (“Passin’ Me By” will never not be a bop), just don’t expect the album to bounce around your mind for long after it concludes.
Interesting album for sure. Some of the other top comments summarized it well- playful/unserious to the extent where it's a bit detrimental to the quality of the album. The raps/flow is undeniably catchy but do we really need interludes and skits along the way? 5.5/10 (2.75/5)
A smooth hip-hop album, that contains a mixture of various genres of music. Interesting! Enjoyed it till the end. 3,5/5
This feels more like a collage than an album. These rappers are talented and the instrumentation is pretty good but it did not come together for me. There was just too much going on for me to enjoy it. I also didn't feel like I got a sense of who these people are as artists from this album.
It was okay
This came out a couple of years after De La Soul and Gang Starr and a Tribe Called Quest. So they don't really bring anything new to the table. The beats are alright, the flow of the raps sounds awkward and outdated at times. Over-all it's not terrible, but not great. Favorite song: soul flower.
Classic bumpin Hip Hop, bouncy flow, better than expected. Still not my style.
It reminds me of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
On the DL, Ya Mama and Passin Me By are excellent. 3/5
Eg har for lite innsikt i tidlig hippety hip hop, men trur da va greit nok
Pretty good
This was fun. Sounds like the 90’s
Early 90's, some good shit
i didn't like this very much
just the worst
Beetje standaardhiphop uit de jaren negentig, veel 'O yeah', 'Throw your hands in the air', zwipzwappende platen, afwisselende samples en vooral veel gebabbel. De hoes heeft zo'n 'Parental advisory'-sticker, maar ik kon (gelukkig) niet merken waarom.
Herkenbare 90s hiphop breakbeatjes met wat jazzy samples en een pulserende bas. Er wordt prima in de maat, in de flow overheen gerapt. Wat ze allemaal te melden hebben, zal me zoals gewoonlijk weer worst wezen. Het straalt op zich wel redelijk wat plezier uit, meer dan boosheid, al komt dat ook af en toe voorbij. De muzikale omlijsting is kaal zoals 80s en early 90s betaamt, maar ook rijk met samples en extra instrumenten. Dat maakt het geheel toch prima te luisteren.
3.5
Solid album with 3-4 really good tracks
runkkare deskriptio perfek,,mycket bra, mycket bra.. Jag gick på toaletten en gång, det var en historia en gång och jag gick på toaletten och mina byxor ramlade av så att säga och sedan började jag runka för att stryka Jansson så att säga.. jätte bra konsept för låt. pippel kikelli kikki miuri. Wannabe beastie boys. on the dl
Well, this is quite a bit better than I expected it to be. I appreciate the light-hearted nature of it. It didn't feel onerous to listen to this album at all. I'm quite likely to buy a few MP3s from this album and keep them on my phone. Not bad at all.
Always loved Yo Mama. Some pretty great shade. Passing me by is on regular rotation in this house. The sample at the beginning is so freaking classic early 90s rap. Great song. 3.5
Very jazzy vibes, could listen again
A lot of fun
That album doesn’t take itself seriously bu it should. 3 stars
Admittedly, this was my first full Pharcyde album. Their ensemble is super well done and everyone gets a shot at the spotlight. In my opinion, however, A Tribe Called Quest just pulls this off better. There are really solid beats on this album, but it is mostly one note. Still, nice listen to have at the gym.
This was pretty enjoyable and will certainly enter my rotation. It's undeniably not outstanding by any means, but has enough strengths to make it a good listen. A high 3/low 4
I was excited for this as I like a few of their songs. But it all felt kind of decent and didn't stand out enough
Started off so strong then got shit Jazzy rap, good flow But later on it’s just boring and mid
Some.of.it.os.good, some is misogynistic and dated
3.5
This album is a lot of fun. Even when it’s vulgar, it still feels so playfully innocent. Especially considering how aggressive the genre was becoming at the time. I like!
I really dig the beats, I’m a bit so-so on the bars, but overall I like it.
Eh its short, but pretty forgettable
I enjoyed this as much as the Lauren Hill album from yesterday. It's better in segments than all at once, but that's just a personal preference. Not a bad listen, just gotta be in the mood.
This was a pretty good listen. late 80s/early 90s hip hop is way better than what's rolling around today. Get off my lawn!
i DON'T like rap, but this was surprising all right. I might have to listen to it again
I dont know what the hell was that Top Review guy talking about but I agree
Band plays too much 2.9
They sound like they had a lot of fun making this album, but not really my kind of music
Not a bad album but I’ve heard better from this genre
A fun listen, with good humour, funky drum beats and a couple of tracks with really good jazz-tinged piano playing
older rap sounds even older. interesting has one well known song
I can tell a lot of genres and other big time songs had this record as one of their influences. Great album!
mid
Ya mama got a peg leg with a kick stand
Solid album. It's like listening to an episode of In Living Color. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Pretty good hip-hip album. I enjoyed the use of jazz/funk samples. I did find the record scratching got to be a bit repetitive by the end of it, would have just preferred that to be omitted entirely. Fav Tracks: Oh Shit, Passin' Me By
Fun take on psych rap
Not bad as far as the genre goes. Sounded a bit like ICP.
Prima