Pharcyde - Chapter One Testing the Waters +Album Reviews

Nicely EP, but the Pharcyde are capable of better...

Raneforezt@aol.com | USA | 03/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1. PAIN- The track begins with a clip from some movie or tv show I'm unfamilar with, which leads into the song. The extremely vibey, laid back beat on this track is meshes excellent with the liquidy scratching used for the hook. Lyrically, the Cyde expound on the many forms of pain one faces, and altogether sets off the EP nicely. A-2. REINVENTED- This track has more of a boom-bap feel to it (but darker in tone than their earlier material), with little violins effects cut into it. While it's not bad, it's basically just an average song, with average lyrics to back. C+3. MY AGENDA- This is an extra-slow "love song" of sorts, but the Pharcyde knows how to pull it off without becoming monotonous. It deals with a relationship in which the two people have different priorities. The production is extra slow on this, which might turn some people off (especially those who like Bizzare Ride's upbeat stuff the best) but I feel the track's lazy sound, which fits in with the tone of this EP. B+4. FOR FEELING- Another vibey beat, which makes up for the fact that the lyrics are just average. Still, the beat is dope, and the Pharcyde have the skill to be charming enough on the mic that you don't care that there not saying anything new. B+5. INTERLUDE- An interlude on an EP this short? Completely uneeded...6. FREAKY- Once again, they do a love song of sorts (more of a sex song actually), but even with the unoriginal subject matter, this track gets over by the excellent production. The acoustic guitar creates a such a relaxed track, accompanied by the vibey sounds. The track switches up and ends with a sort clip of Runnin' over Digital Underground's "Food Fight" beat, which would've made a dope track had they included the whole thing. AThe vibey production here sounds a lot like works of The Grouch, and is laid back for the most part. Many of the beats are laced with soft guitars, laid back drum kicks and bass, with breezy sounds intertwinded. Lyrically, some might fault the Cyde for not coming that original in the subject matter category, but their vocals and flows mesh with laid back beats well enough for me to not hold that against them too strongly. It's not the kind of music which you really sit down and focus on the emcee, rather it's the type you put on just for the relaxed atmosphere it sets. People who like Labcabincalifornia will probably like this EP, while those who thought that the Pharcyde lost their humor, and energy after Bizzarre Ride will probably feel even more so after listening to these songs. The only fault I can find here is that's it's just too short. I know it's an EP, but only 5 songs? Overall grade: B+Sub-Categories:Production: A-Lyrics: BOriginality: C+P.S.- This is the real track titles, Amazon's weren't correct."

This CD is pickle juice

Craig Wright | Oakland, CA | 05/14/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a true Pharcyde fan, then this album will certainly depress you. It is hard to imagine this high-energy group could sound so laconic. None of the tracks show Pharcyde's usual wit or humor. Overall, an incredibly disappointing release from one of the old pinnacles of west coast hip-hop. Only the most desperate need for nostalgia should move you to buy this album."

Pharcyde Minus One

damianferguson | The Bay Area | 09/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"That should be the real title of this album. Though the three remaining members hold their own lyrically, and the in house prodution is decent, one can only wonder just how tight a full L.P. WITH fatlip would be. The first song "pain" tells the story of sucess and failure, which pharcyde knows well with label problems and in group quarrels. But the song is truly a stamp of perseverance in their struggle. We can only hope this quartet can join back together and show the hip-hop game what hip-hop is. Until then, we're stuck with an incomplete e.p. and a fatlip album with little promise."

Without FatLip They're Nohing

Cas One | Upstate New York | 04/28/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This was truly a disappointment. The production on this album is lame at best and and the rhymes have no life to them. I was excited when I ordered this cd, hoping for something in the same vein as labcabin... but it wasn't. Not worth the dough. The only semi decent track is the first one , which is convenient for that one day out of the year I consider listening to it I can play it and take it out without skipping thru tracks. its tempting to to buy cuz you think maybe it's good and this guy doesn't know what he's talking about , but trust me . It's not."

A nice little EP that time forgot (3.5/5)

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 07/17/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As you're probably aware, the Pharcyde began the first half of the nineties with two classic LPs, 1992's Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde and 1995's Labcabincalifornia. The west coast group made their mark on the rap industry as probably the funniest and most entertaining hip hop collective, through their voices, hilarious stories, and positively friendly disposition. On their sophomore LP, they moved more into a thoughtful and artistic style, over more somber beats and dealing with deeper subject matter. However, five years passed, and in 1999, the Pharcyde finally returned with "Chapter One: Testing the Waters," an EP that was the first release from their own fledgling record label. The sound will immediately strike a listener as most similar to the more personal, deeper sound of Labcabincalifornia, except for one major difference, that former member Fatlip is notably absent. Without the wildly entertaining, high-pitched MC, the Pharcyde are much more serious and mature on this outing. The lyrics are actually pretty impressive, they become emotional and talk more about struggles than before. I like the production too, a simple and subtle, slow, and mature sound that isn't too far from their previous effort. At only five songs and one skit, it's a quick listen, and it's not the most consistent either. But for what it is, it's nice. This EP seems to have been lost in hip hop's sands of time, I don't believe it received much attention when it was released and is all but forgotten today. Regardless, I think that if the Pharcyde fan is willing to shell out a few bucks, this might be a worthwhile purchase.

The album begins with "Pain," which opens to a simple instrumental cadence and scratches, and the hook is anchored by a sad vocal sample. The rappers talk about struggles and the inevitability of occasional depression, it's a nice and thoughtful song. On "Reinvent," they rap about the new direction their revitalized careers are taking (or so they hoped). The gem of this EP is "My Agenda," which recalls the group's glory days while showcasing their updated style. The beat is excellent, a slow, gloomy, and rich track. The rappers rap conversationally to a woman and talk about their lives, the hook is excellent, as they harmonize on a personal note. "For Feeling" is a vibesy, solid effort that sounds a lot like the other songs on this album, so it doesn't really stand out. The following "Interlude" is unnecessary, clocking in at twenty seconds, I guess they just wanted to bulk up the tracklist from five tracks to six. The closer "Freaky" is a good finisher, a light love song.

"Chapter One: Testing the Waters" is full of nice, similar music with a focused sound and some nice verses and production. This isn't the same quality as their two classic LPs for sure, but after such a long wait and turmoil within the group, it was a surprisingly enjoyable effort. I wouldn't call it must-have material; it's not mind-blowing, and it's far from a bargain for only five songs at a full price. It's sort of got a mysterious and enticing aura at this point, the group never really fully rebounded and this makes for an interesting piece. I'd recommend it for the Pharcyde fan at a reasonable price, it's some nice music that they would most likely enjoy.

Please note that Amazon's tracklist is incorrect. The actual tracklist is as follows:

1. Pain

2. Reinvent

3. My Agenda

4. For Feeling

5. Interlude

6. Freaky"

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	Pharcyde Chapter One: Testing the Waters Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop
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