The Untouchable was Scarface's 4th album, and 1st one since the official breakup of the Geto Boys (they released an album the year after this one, but sans Bushwick Bill). I feel as though this was his first record with a more modern sounding production style, and it really helps the textures of the sinister, southern tinged beats to shine through. The beats are more musical than before, and most are driven by live basslines as opposed to 808 thump. Scarface doesn't really rap in first person, but it sorta sounds like he is on some songs, which wind up sounding like pointless violence. Those types of lyrics are the low points on the album, but when the lyrics are part of a story showing the flipside to the violence, Face begins to show why he has built up so much respect in the rap game. When he starts discussing social issues on the back end of the album, he really shines, and it's a shame that there isn't more of this, because Mary Jane, Smartz and Faith rank among his best work. A slight complaint is the guest features. Face and Daz) get thoroughly outshined by Devin and KB on one track, 2Pac does all the heavy lifting on Smile and Game Over is such a disappointment, with Too Short and Ice Cube relegated to hooks and talking while Face is left to trade verses with an awful Dr. Dre. Should have flipped that around, and I remember being so bummed out when I finally heard Game Over after reading about the guest list in the Source.
Bump |
