Search - Geto Boys :: Resurrection

Powerful gangsta rap; Geto Boys in their prime

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 08/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Geto Boys' 1996 album "The Resurrection" is an enticing listen for many reasons. This is the album that reunited the legendary trio of Scarface, Bushwick Bill, and Willie D, arguably the greatest trio in hip hop, for the first time since 1991's We Can't Be Stopped. During the two years that preceded this album, each member had released the finest solo albums of their respective careers (Face's The Diary, Bushwick's Phantom of the Rapra, and Willie's Play Witcha Mama), and it was clear that the rappers had entered the primes of their careers. Rap-A-Lot Records was also at its pinnacle, and "The Resurrection" showcases the quintissentially Houston sound that would define the label. This showcases the deep, steady funk that was pioneered by the label's in-house producers such as N.O. Joe and Mike Dean, and the music is great throughout. But this album stands out from the rest because of the performances from Geto Boys. More so than on any of their other group efforts, each song seems to have a predetermined purpose. Their lyrics are more socially relevant and conscious than ever before. The world they speak of in their verses is a dark and unjust urban world, where the black community is plagued by poverty, unrest, division, and disunity. They rap with a conviction that is very effective, showing why they really are one of the south's greatest groups. Willie D in particular stands out to me on this album. He raps with a justified rage that sticks, rather than just his inherent craziness you might be used to.



My only complaints are that, with such a long tracklist, a few songs are a bit forgettable. Also, the focus lacks a little when there are songs that focus more on other groups (Facemob, Menace Clan) than Geto Boys, although these songs are really good too. The album features a few interludes with interviews with Chicago figure and gang leader Larry Hoover, who would soon be incarcerated. His words complement the socially relevant lyrics in many cases.



After a great intro, the album begins with the classic "Still." This song is so great because it is effective on so many levels. With a hardcore, threatening hook and theme and a beat befitting of horrorcore, the Boys lace raps thick with fury, injustice, and purpose, announcing their comeback with a bang. The excellent "The World Is a Ghetto" follows, where they rap about the widespread poverty that persists through each city, and the problems which accompany it. A soulful chorus and twangy, funky production make this one a winner. "Open Minded" is rough and hard gangsta rap, followed by a very brief interlude. "Hold It Down" is a song by Facemob, the group of DMG, Devin the Dude, Chi-Ray, 350, and Smit-D that Scarface mentored as his proteges. This song is a solid cut that sounds very similar to the music found on the group's concurrent debut The Other Side of the Law, the production and style sounds exactly the same. The Menace Clan aids Willie D on the deep "Blind Leading the Blind," a powerful song that addresses problems with leadership and a way of life over a nice beat. "First Light of the Day" is a steady track, and Willie D anchors it with an energetic final verse. "Time Taker" boasts some creative production, and lyrically it's pretty powerful too. "Geto Boys and Girls" doesn't stand out, but is a great example of the slow, funky music and strong lyricism that this album delivers. I like when Willie D talks about his leaving and rejoining the group in his verse. On the nice "Geto Fantasy," they humorously rap about their ironically lavish lifestyle over one of the album's best beats. It wouldn't be a Geto Boys album without a Bushwick Bill solo track, and on "I Just Wanna Die," he uses a horrorcore approach to rap disturbingly about life from the point of view of a suicidal person. The upbeat "N...s and Flies" is lyrically enticing, where Scarface and Willie challenge such aspects of society as the NAACP. Following a final Larry Hoover interlude, the album closes with "Point of No Return," a nice closer.



"The Resurrection" is a very impressive piece of hip hop that showcases three of the south's best rappers in their primes, rapping with great subject matter over excellent production. This is straightforward gangsta rap, and rarely has it ever been as effective. It blows my mind that this album could be out of print today, but for fans of Rap-A-Lot and Geto Boys, consider this one to add to the collection. I highly recommend "The Resurrection.""

GB Ruled 1996

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 07/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Willie D rejoins the group after a few years hiatus, and is back with fervor! Willie D, Face, and Bushwick Bill once again have that passionate chemistry and deliver a hard faced album with stone cold rhymes and great beats. As for the production, you get Mike Dean (who does the majority), N.O. Joe, Scarface, Derek Edwards, all great beatsmiths. Stylistically, the album is Southern style G-Funk, like many Houston albums are, but the beats range from a few laidback cuts to some blood curdling horror beats that stomp and shake the ground. The horror joints are the awesome "Still" and "Open Minded" (f/ DMG). The beats are really hard and loud, and the rhymes are lyrical terrorism. "Geto Fantasy" is gumbo style with lyrics about dreams about making it out the hood. "Time Taker" is real chill. The beats is laidback and phat, and the trio deliver some deep knowledge about the meaning of life, how time can just flow away, and judgment day, and making the most of time on earth. Bushwick Bill gets really personal and heart drenching on his solo "I Just Wanna Die." The beat is crazy, gothic, and stomach churning as are Bill's suicidal lyrics. I love the beat on "N---as And Flies" with Derek Edwards delivering the funk. I love the whiny synth in the hook and Willie drops some street and social knowledge. Facemob drops in with GB in "Hold It Down" for a nice mobb joint with an airy but simple beat. All in all, this album is a great reunion of the Houston legends, and the nice beats and crazy spits make this an easy mid 90's classic."