The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde

Like De La Soul's Three Feet High & Rising, the Pharcyde's 1992 debut came at a time when hip-hop was headed in one direction, but the group was going somewhere else entirely. A crew of spunky b-boys armed with a self-deprecating sense of humor, the Pharcyde made an album that was fresh and profoundly honest. "Ya Mama" is a clever array of mother jokes set to cartoonish beats; "On the DL" has each MC unguardedly making self-denigrating confessions (like Fat Lip admitting to masturbating--previously a hip-hop no-no); and "Passin' Me By" is an ode to hopeless crushes on unattainable women. The group's playfulness was also infused with smarts, too, most visibly on "Officer." Recorded around the time of the Rodney King verdict, the song was an indictment of racial profiling--shrouded, of course, in a comic tale that parodied Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos." With animated beats from J-Swift (the West Coast version of Prince Paul) and four distinct rhyming styles, particularly Slim Kid Tre's melodiousness and Fat Lip's nerdiness, this album captures an innocence rarely seen in the music's posturing ways. It's something that this album captures forever. --Joseph Patel Amazon.com

Should have just bought "Passin Me By".

I have to say I haven't been a Pharcyde fan from the beginning. I first bought Labcabincalifornia when it came out...followed by Plain Rap. After hearing terms like "Classic" and "Must Have" I figured I'll go back and buy this album.

I'm going to go against the grain and say it's not one of my favorite albums. Maybe my expectations were too high. This album was different than what you normally heard coming out of the West Coast, and for that reason it's a "classic". But...I don't think it was up to par with it's east-coast counterparts. Titles such as "3 Feet High and Rising" (De La Soul), "Reachin" (Digable Planets) and Midnight Marauders (Tribe) handled the style more successfully.

The album is fun and has some nice production, but I think the lyrical content is best on "Passin Me By". I have to say it's a little boring hearing references to booty and smoking weed on most of the tracks. It's a little juvenile when compared to other more political and socially conscience groups of the early nineties.

Maybe I should have "passed this album by". August 1, 2008

Well deserved ratings

(Review based on sentiment from 12 years ago)
This is how dope the album is, man. I doubt that i would buy too many albums from back in the day. Last time i listened to this album was probably, hmm..., '96(?), and i always wanted to get it on CD (i was wearin' my tape out).

I'm honestly surprised by the love the reviewers have shown it. But it deserves it. Everyone else has said it: prime beats, funny skit.

Yo Mama is the song i first heard from them (I bet i can tell you which tape i recorded that on -- i think it's on the same tape I got the debut of "throw ya gunz" -- i gotta find that tape).

But what really made me get their album back in '96 was the 2nd album Labcabincalifornia. That's another well done album. Check that one out also. It's different though. It doesn't sounds like the sequel to this album. But you'll love it. May 20, 2008

I need help with info....

I love this album and listen to it all the time... If you don't own it, buy it immediately. I need to know something hopefully someone can help. The album was re-released and I don't know if the copy I own is the original or the re-release... what is the difference between the two. April 4, 2008

Most Creative Hip-Hop Album Ever!!

As pointed out by a fellow reviewer, this deserves 50 stars! This is without a doubt, the most creative rap cd I've ever heard. From intelligent lyrics to hilarious lyics and everything in between, this is a masterpiece. This came out in 92 and still sounds as fresh as ever.

I've listened to this countless times and it never fails to amaze me or get old. There is nothing quite like it in terms of beats and flows from each of the 4 members. You never hear the term "fun" as an adjective for rap albums but that is exactly what this CD is!!!! Perfect from start to finish...even the skits don't get old. Definetly in my top 5 rap albums ever along with the likes of Illmatic and The Chronic. January 7, 2008

Pharcyde Are The Naygaz In Charge

The Pharcyde's debut album is one that you simply cannot miss out on. It was rather refreshing when it came out in its time, as it was an album that focused on more of a humorous yet intelligent side. The beats are unrivaled and each of the 4 MCs lay out some of the sickest rhymes that have their own personality. The production by J-Swift is pure class. I love how this group doesn't take their lyrical subjects too seriously yet they can produce one of the most entertaining hip-hop albums to ever come out. A must buy. October 24, 2007

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