User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Desire
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Desire Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: After eght years Pharoah Monch returns with his new album.

Top Track

Desire
Unh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! (Hook) Said it's my desire! Yes it is! yeeeaaah Yes it is, yes it is, oh yea... Comprehend the guidelines My chest... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

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. 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 .
  3. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Desire is an amazing record the story of Monch and his recording career is admirable in its own right.
  4. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Eight years after his last album, Pharoahe's return doesn't disappoint.
  5. Pitchfork
    79
    Monch might flounder into familiar indie territory if his music weren't so lucid and lively.
  6. 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.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    40
    Desire, is a mess: intriguing, puzzling, intriguing and ultimately frustrating as all hell.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  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.… Expand
  2. KyleZ.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Not quite as good as Ear Drum, but better than Graduation. I think that is the best compliment I can give this album.
  4. 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.… Expand
  5. addiction
    Jul 26, 2007
    8
    Not for the Dumb at heart!! This cd is not only has great beats but it subconsciously have you thinking about concerns and issues without Not for the Dumb at heart!! This cd is not only has great beats but it subconsciously have you thinking about concerns and issues without being so in your face (like P.E.). It is great that Monch comes back wonderfully even after being M.I.A. for about 8 years. It is good to see that conscious rap can get great reviews from critics and fans alike.… Expand
  6. kyleidoscopeyeah
    Jul 29, 2007
    8
    8.5 This album doesn't blow your mind upon first lesson but if you give it a chance it starts to reveal why its so special. A few 8.5 This album doesn't blow your mind upon first lesson but if you give it a chance it starts to reveal why its so special. A few listens on and you start noticing all the musical and lyrical "ohhh damn" moments. The album has a nice almost funky vibe to and unlike many rap albums their genuine soul rather than the hard polished aesthetic that is so popular. Best of all the album is both fun and intelligent, tracks like the fun body abay are right next to quite moving tracks like guns draw...definately worth checking out… Collapse
  7. haloedbmyname
    Jul 28, 2007
    8
    I bought the CD and listened to it on a trip down the coast from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. I was most impressed by the song
  8. ThisIs
    Jul 13, 2007
    6
    This is a test, please forget about it!

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2007

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »