Review Summary: Ice improves even more, crafting another classic album.
Ice T follows up his sophomore album even more improved with The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say!. At the time, Ice was proving himself to be a dominant force in hip hop, especially in the west coast. Ice was improving on his flow, and he had more substance in his lyrics. Ice was also becoming more versatile with what he rapped about, and his beat selection.
Given the title, freedom of speech, and Ice T's views on it, is a big theme of the album. The album opens up with an apocalyptic intro ("Shut Up, Be Happy"), which details a world in which pretty much all human rights are nonexistent, which sets the mood for the album perfectly. Following the intro, we get "The Iceberg", which is Ice utilizing his freedom of speech, and making a rather vulgar track (that's not a criticism of the track). The track was so controversial (due to the graphic sexual nature of the second verse) that even TV hosts played sections of it while criticizing rap lyrics. "Freedom of Speech" is the MC rhyming to the PMRC and Tipper Gore, with him criticizing what he felt was an attack on freedom of speech.
Along with tracks about freedom of speech, Ice has some tracks where he just flows like water. One of the most lyrically potent tracks on the album is "Lethal Weapon", which has Ice rhyming with a rapid-fire flow. Here, Ice is rhyming about how the mind is a powerful weapon, in an engaging, high-energy manner. The production on the album is excellent, and fits the tone of the album perfectly. The only track on this album I'd even consider a slight misstep is "The Girl Tried to Kill Me", which is still a good song, just a bit corny. The track's rock/rap nature did not age well at all, but nonetheless, there's still some entertainment value to be found in the track.
The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say!, is a classic album, and one of Ice T's best albums. A mix of gangsta and conscious, Ice T made a superb mix of what was going on in hip hop. This is a must-listen.
Ratings:
1. Shut Up, Be Happy (Interlude)
2. The Iceberg: 5/5
3. Lethal Weapon: 5/5
4. You Played Yourself: 5/5
5. Peel Their Caps Back: 4.5/5
6. The Girl Tried to Kill Me: 3.5/5
7. Black 'N' Decker (Interlude)
8. Hit the Deck: 5/5
9. This One's For Me: 5/5
10. The Hunted Child: 5/5
11. What Ya Wanna Do? (feat. Rhyme Syndicate): 4/5
12. Freedom of Speech: 5/5
13. My Word is Bond: 4/5
Best song: Lethal Weapon
Weakest song: The Girl Tried to Kill Me
Production: 9.3/10
Lyrics: 9.4/10
Overall rating: 94/100
Grade: A
