Desire
by Pharoahe Monch
  • Record Label: Umvd
  • Release Date: Jun 26, 2007
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Monch makes a lean 47 minutes seem epic in the best way.
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Eight years after his last album, Pharoahe's return doesn't disappoint.
  3. PopMatters
    80
    A magnificent, genre-busting extravaganza specifically designed to make you think and wonder, blink and ponder, hold your head and say, “Damn,” and then pump your fist .
  5. Village Voice
    80
    What Desire offers instead is at times cerebral and at times depraved, but invariably provocative.
  6. No Ripcord
    80
    Desire is most memorable as a collection of amazing verses. Not only is there not likely to be better rapping this year, Desire is the kind of album that reminds one of why emcees matter and just how much they can do.
  7. AllMusic
    80
    Desire is a taut and focused work that energizes, packed densely with typically Monch-like quotables that might take a couple listens to catch.
  8. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Desire is an amazing record the story of Monch and his recording career is admirable in its own right.
  9. Pitchfork
    79
    Monch might flounder into familiar indie territory if his music weren't so lucid and lively.
  10. cokemachineglow
    77
    No matter how smartly sequenced these parts are in Desire’s segmented flow, they remain varying nascent coups without one distinct rallying cry to organize the din.
  11. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Monch stays versatile, political, and intellectual as he uses his many gifts to be at once motivational ("Hold On") and verbally ambidextrous ("The Trilogy"). A winner.
  12. Stylus Magazine
    67
    Desire’s successes stem chiefly from Pharoahe’s unimpeachably brilliant rhyme skills.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Hypocritics
    Apr 25, 2014
    10
    I am not a Stan of Pharoahe Monch. Someone just recommended I listen to this album as a must-hear for any hip hop head. At first, I wasI am not a Stan of Pharoahe Monch. Someone just recommended I listen to this album as a must-hear for any hip hop head. At first, I was pleasantly surprised. I waited for the moment when the album takes a turn for the worst that would justify a 79 score, but it never came. Each track is ferocious verse after verse, creative samples, catchy beats, perfecty woven skits. This album is the best one ive heard all year, and Metacritic seems to believe Teflon Don is a better album than this and MMLP. Wow.… Full Review »
  2. RodneyJ.
    Dec 6, 2007
    10
    Easily one of the best, if not the best, hip hop albums of the year and although I am a big Talib Kweli and Common fan this does top the both Easily one of the best, if not the best, hip hop albums of the year and although I am a big Talib Kweli and Common fan this does top the both the Eardrum album as well as Finding Forever.… Full Review »
  3. DanA.
    Sep 23, 2007
    8
    One o the best rap albums of 2007. It's in contention with Graduation and arguably better, but EASILY superior to Ultimate Victory and One o the best rap albums of 2007. It's in contention with Graduation and arguably better, but EASILY superior to Ultimate Victory and Finding Forever.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »