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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Pro Tools
by GZA
The latest solo album for the Wu-Tang member features guests such as Masta Killa, RZA, and Young Justice.
| LABEL: |
Babygrande |
| RELEASE DATE: |
19 August 2008 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rap |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
85
RapReviews.com
Pro Tools could be called a return to form, but since GZA never lost the form in the first place, it would be more apt to say that he's kept the peak form he already had and just honed his lyrical tongue to an even sharper and more polished edge.
83
The Onion (A.V. Club)
GZA's cold-blooded sonic cinema invites and rewards repeat visits.
82
cokemachineglow
His flow is, as always, commanding, effortless, and unrelenting, making it hard to grab individual lines when each is intricately related to the next.
80
Hartford Courant
Pro Tools surprises because it features consistently powerful backing tracks, several built on the strings-and-scratchy-soul brilliance of Wu mastermind RZA.
80
Billboard
You could count the number of hooks on one hand and most tracks clock in at the three-minute mark, ostensibly to let GZA inhale occasionally. But it's worth a listen to hear what sneaky, suspicious, image-heavy tricks still emerge from his notebook.
80
All Music Guide
Even if they're slow to arrive, GZA's full-lengths rarely disappoint. Pro Tools is no different, but with so many divergent projects and experiments from the Clan filling the five previous years, this throwback also proves the crew's original formula still works splendidly.
70
Slant Magazine
More than anything, it serves as a satisfying example of a hip-hop artist who has not burnt out or sold out his craft to be an industry kingpin.
70
Tiny Mix Tapes
The Genius’ latest full-length Pro Tools is no different; while its power as a long-player doesn’t hold up very well, random dissection brings out tracks destined for analog and digital freaks alike (in case that title--and the sparse cover--had you worrying).
68
Pitchfork
As a pure lyrical record goes, Pro Tools doesn't disappoint, but fans who want everything to be a banger will be let down to find that there's not a lot of headknock here.
60
PopMatters
For those who listen to hip-hop for great lyrics, GZA is still as good as it gets.
60
NOW Magazine
Alphabets picks up where Animal Planet left off and the devastating Labels began in 1995, but it suffers from the law of diminishing returns.
40
Spin
These C-grade tracks ape RZA's trademark sound, but lack any sense of melody; and the album seems randomly cut-and-pasted. [Oct 2008, p.112]
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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