When you say Grace…by Amadeo
Written by: on Jul 12 | Music, Inspiration |A review (rather giving of thanks for) of Desire by Pharaohe Monch.

“The time to pray is not when we are in a tight spot but just as soon as we get out of it.”
Josh Billings (1818 - 1885):
As you pray over your food, make sure you thank Hip-Hop for giving us a beautiful new Pharaohe Monche album. This thing makes me want to dig out a backpack, put on some Adidas and start a cipher. Albums that make me feel like this should come out more often. Matter of fact let’s not wait that long, bow your heads (I mean figuratively cause you need to keep reading y’know…don’t be difficult with me)
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the bounty you have presented us. We have walked in the shadow of wack for too long, but thou hast struck a mighty blow in the form of Desire by Pharaohe Monch. Not those desires of the flesh Lord, but the desire of the pure Hip-Hop fan. You have taken from our eyes visions of rims and chains and replaced them with concepts and yearnings to taste the sweet air of freedom. Oh Lord it is you who judge us by our lyrical skills and not our show cards. We do not forget the days when you traveled with us in our backpacks. Oh Lord, we remember the times when cardboard was readily available, even for those who could not break. Lord, thank you for moving with us through our car stereos as we spread our blessings throughout the city. Lord we thank you for speaking to us in oversized headphones, even when one side shorted out. In all of your forms; cassette, CD, Mp3 and live show, we give thanks for your presence. We understand that you move in mysterious ways (and rarely on the radio), but we recognize you when you appear. You maketh us want to pull out our rhyme books and change careers. It is you who, when present in the club, allows me to dance and not sit down on principle. Lord we ask you to bless the hands of every Dj that knows not to cut the best verse from the end of a song, those that know how to follow up a good track with one of equal quality. Lord we have walked through the desert and our lips have been parched, it is you who brought the rain and made the earth once more fertile. It is you who have parted the clouds and let the sun shine through. We will remember, that no matter how dark it gets, the sun always shines. Thank you Lord, bless Pharaohe Monch and allow all of my speakers to play him at full volume. In the name of Kool Herc, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash and Phase2, Awww Yeah.
July 12th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
creative review.
I’d like to know more about Pharaohe Monche
and how do I pronounce that last name?
July 12th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Pronounced, “Montch”. YES!!! I was waiting for you to review this man! I was flippin out on myisha, like, “Where is Amadeo with the review of Desire!” Ahhhh, but you did not forsake us. You did not forsake us.
July 12th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
[…] Desire Review […]
July 16th, 2007 at 1:16 am
MAAAAN did we need that new album. When I heard that joint “FREE”; I had my face screwed up, and almost hurt my neck I was boppin so hard.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
great album! i’ll be honest though i’ve been feeling a few albums this year, it hasnt been all wack. I liked Krs’ hip hop lives, totally love marco polo’s port authority (its what the return of the magnificent should have been) and what i’ve heard of the advance on Eardrum is tight. plus the little brother justus for all and the kardi/clinton sparks mix tapes are probably better than 90% of the albums released lately.
my favorite pharoah track is when the gun draws , the second verse is tight,
August 18th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Thank God for Monch is right. Best album I’ve heard in years. And every track is great, but I can’t believe someone had the audacity to cover Welcome To the Terrordome without screwing it up. It’s like building your own Statue of Liberty in your backyard - who the hell could pull that off?
August 21st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
[…] and we were talking about albums when I had revelation. Now if you read on the reg you know that I think Desire is good frickin’ album , but today I put forth the theory it may be the best Hip-Hop to come out this year. Maybe you […]