Editors note: Last year when The Big Doe Rehab was released, This Is Hip Hop contributor Edwin reviewed this album. If you’re interested in reading another take, you can read his review here.
Not only is The Big Doe Rehab a follow up to More Fish, it is the official follow up to Fishscale. It must be hard to constantly have to compete with yourself every time you drop an album. Since Ironman first dropped we all knew that Ghostface Killah was a force to be reckoned with. However, The Big Doe Rehab is a lot different than most Ghost albums. Usually there is a list of a few songs on each album that aren’t quite up to par with the rest of the album, but this album is the opposite. This time around Ghost put together a collection of songs that was real hit or miss.
Beanie Sigel and Ghostface Killah on one track could only work one way. “Toney Sigel” is east coast gangsta music at its finest. Beans and Toney show us what can happen when two of the best get together and tear down the booth. Another lead off track and it is a smash just like the six prior to it. If only the rest of the album was this caliber. “Yolanda’s House” is perhaps the best track we have heard Method Man on in a while. Ghost, Meth and Rae kick it like it was 1993 and shows us that Wu Tang still ain’t nothing to fuck with. Vivid imagery and a dope beat assist this vintage Wu banger. “We Celebrate” is the lead single from this release. Good track but Kid Capri makes it very hard to enjoy. I love him as a DJ but no more talking, please. “Walk Around” and “Yapp City” are decent and keep the project moving but after this, the project gets real murky. Nothing from this point on grabbed my ear, which is really a disappointment considering the fact that the album started off very strong. “Killa Lipstick” which is a bonus track seems to pick up some of the dropped pieces but isn’t strong enough to save this release.
It must be hard to fill the shoes of a legend, especially when you realize the shoes are your own. I guess every artist has a misstep or two in their career. We might have to chalk this one up as a loss. Still very listenable and enjoyable but not nearly as good as any of Ghost’s other releases, except maybe The Pretty Toney Album. Ghost has proven himself time and time again and we can bank on the fact that Ghost will be back and he will surely supply us with another classic. Seven solo albums, millions of record sales, sold out tours and a huge following around the world; what else can an emcee dream of? If Ghostface Killah never picked up a microphone again, I can strongly say that we have witnessed one of Hip-Hop’s greatest careers ever!
Overall Score: 3/5
Standout Tracks:
Toney Sigel
Yolanda’s House
Killa Lipstick
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
what, the Big Doe Rehab was crack!!!!
only a three cuz? come on man you can’t be serious. yeah a couple of tracks are pretty weak beat-wise.solid release from a top 5 MC.
I thought 3 was a little harsh, but I commend you for stickin to your guns. A lot of people will disagree, but it’s your opinion. I appreciate you being you.
damn, can’t believe this got less than “More Fish”, hardly any dope tracks on “More Fish”, and I thought this one was filled with little gems, right to the end (“Paisley darts”, “I’ll Die For You”, “Shakey Dog”). The only valid criticism in my eyes that one can make about this album is that not much effort went into the beats, at least 3 songs were just taken as they are in their original form or hardly looped, but they still sound good
Man Ghostface week was hot. I really appreciate Kev, Beads and whoever else made it happen. I’m a huge Ghostface fan and living in rural area south I don’t have access to a good bit of his material.
What??!! The Pretty Toney album is dope as hell… Big Doe… White Linen Affair had a nice sample and good theme… Ghost is the only consistent WU member, every release is tight.. get it right… hip hop man!!!