Fishscale
by Ghostface Killah
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Mar 28, 2006
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 109
  3. Negative: 5 out of 109

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  1. BIGMAN22
    Apr 17, 2016
    10
    this album was pretty dope. Ghostface is one of the few lyricists of the wu tang clan aside from GZA that puts out some dope stuff. Ghostface has always had an hear for production choosing dope producers to work with and working along side hardcore lyricists that rap just as good as him. people can say what they want. but this is just as dope as his past works.
  2. BigTyCoon
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    Cinematic classic. That's all you need to know about this album. Wow is this ever an epic album both in length and quality. It's one of those rare albums that takes many listens to understand and being to enjoy but once you understand it you never ever go back.
  3. lovemusic
    May 12, 2011
    9
    this is for black people. i loved this album it was rocking and slamming. ghostface knows how to throw down. it was a good album. but Iron Man and bulletproof wallets will be his 2 best albums.
  4. GrandmasterFlo
    Feb 20, 2011
    10
    Love this! Ghostface at his best, with fantastic rhymes and grooves. A fantastic album by possibly the most talented rapper in the world! 10/10! Of course generally you'll have to be a hip-hop fan, but seeing as I am one, I found it amazing.
  5. MiguelA
    Jun 6, 2009
    9
    Not the best rap album of the year. I still have trouble choosing between this and Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury. But, man.... This is a good album. The beats are dope and Ghost just does his thing like usual. There are NO weak songs on the whole album, but the skits suck (Ghost never was good at skits). So, out of al the good songs (there are no bad ones) of course there are the Not the best rap album of the year. I still have trouble choosing between this and Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury. But, man.... This is a good album. The beats are dope and Ghost just does his thing like usual. There are NO weak songs on the whole album, but the skits suck (Ghost never was good at skits). So, out of al the good songs (there are no bad ones) of course there are the classics. You'll have to listen and find them yourself. It's your opinion.… Expand
  6. David
    Dec 11, 2008
    10
    Earns its spot with the all-time greats. Chock-full of brilliant songs, all fully fleshed out, memorable and emotionally affecting. Sure it has a few skits but they're short as hell. There's just too many quality cuts here to count. Ghostface is a legend.
  7. Aaron
    Feb 10, 2008
    9
    The Austin Chronicle gets this one very wrong. 2 of the 3 songs called out as weak are some of the best on the album and best of that year. This is what hip hop is all about.
  8. KrishB.
    Dec 9, 2007
    10
    Best album since his debut Ironman. Production is top notch with producers like J Dilla, Pete Rock, MF Doom and Just Blaze who provide an amazing drop in which Ghostface comes of extremely hard with striking, sharp lyrics. Features guest apperances with Raekwon, Cappadonna, Trife, Ne-Yo etc. Best cut on the album is definitely R.A.G.U.
  9. MikeC
    Mar 31, 2007
    10
    Only the most skilled in the business could pull off an album like this. It blows away every other hip-hop album released in 06.
  10. lazyassedcriminalmilkweed
    Jan 12, 2007
    10
    ill ass shit hate these niggas who think they know what hip-hop is its not music its a lifestyle man dont diss what u dont understand. I FUCKIN MISS WU-TANG CLAN AND THE FACT THEY HELPED HIM OUT MAN FUCKERS ARE AWESOME DAM. but anyway peace out. WU-TANG CLAN AINT NOTHIN TO FUCK WIT
  11. CASTROR
    Jan 7, 2007
    10
    Ghost was the very 1st person to rhyme on the Wu's 1st album. At that point in time he really didn't grab me. Method was baskin in the lite back then. I was on the westside hiway w/ my cousin when Supreme Clientele dropped, and I first heard in my car. It was live, but I really didn't pay much attention to it. My cousin was more up on Ghost back then, than myself. It must Ghost was the very 1st person to rhyme on the Wu's 1st album. At that point in time he really didn't grab me. Method was baskin in the lite back then. I was on the westside hiway w/ my cousin when Supreme Clientele dropped, and I first heard in my car. It was live, but I really didn't pay much attention to it. My cousin was more up on Ghost back then, than myself. It must have been around 2002 I purchased Supreme Clientele(One of the best albums in music of all time!). I payed attention to Ghost, and it was sick! Every album he has put out is fly. I have them all, plus his mixed tapes. Ghost's skill as a rapper is off the scales. I 1st heard Kilo on the underground. I was glad to hear him again, and not shocked about how fly the song was/is. I couldn't wait for his album to drop. The entire Fishscale is Fly. It captures the essence of rap music. I can tell he was raised on the same radio rap shows that I would listen to when I was 12- til today. I always admire his flavor. None of his music is for wack. Shame the masses don't buy his albums, as they do for other rappers of a lesser calibur. His albums are like jewels that are yet to have been appreciated by the mainstream mass. This album was surely one of the top 5 albums of 2006.… Expand
  12. eb
    Dec 23, 2006
    10
    just picked this up, yeh i know a little late, put easily one of the best albums of the year.
  13. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    7
    Ghostface Killah is famed for his work on Raekwon's classic 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' Album and for being a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. This album sees him in good form. 'Back Like That' featuring Ne-Yo is a stand out track for me, though i doubt it would be a favourite for his fans, being more commerical in sound.
  14. Doug
    Dec 1, 2006
    7
    This album is the most over-rated of the year. The second half of this album is mediocre at best.
  15. G-Spottin'Killah
    Oct 23, 2006
    9
    This album is by FAR the illest he's dropped. These wack - albeit few - reviews which suggest otherwise need get their ears checked. And checked hard.
  16. MattT
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    This is the best hip-hop album thus far in 2006. Kyle T you need to check your head. You're probably listening to Young Jibbs as we speak. Dave A you can suck llama peepee. Stop commenting on shit you have no business with. I don't clown you for liking Backstreet Boys so go back to your bedroom and continue masturbating.
  17. FS
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    This year's only true classic so far that I know of. Fury, persistance, momentum, great production and rapping. It takes the crack rap trend and makes all the bandwagon jumpers look like nursery rhymers. It's gotten great reviews, but it's too bad the record buying public doesn't care. I got it for just seven dollars at Best Buy. 2006 has been a bad year for music, but This year's only true classic so far that I know of. Fury, persistance, momentum, great production and rapping. It takes the crack rap trend and makes all the bandwagon jumpers look like nursery rhymers. It's gotten great reviews, but it's too bad the record buying public doesn't care. I got it for just seven dollars at Best Buy. 2006 has been a bad year for music, but you must hear this. Best rap album so far this decade, probably.… Expand
  18. JimmyP
    Aug 2, 2006
    10
    Awsome album. Heard it and I was really astounded by the lyrics. Word up to MF Doom, Just Blaze, and J. Dilla(R.I.P) and the other producers with the soul samples and the hot beats....One of the best rap albums of 2006. Can't wait for Ludacris, Nas, and Common to challenge that crown.
  19. JimmyF
    Jul 15, 2006
    9
    Damn good album. It is very deserving of its critic acclaim. If you don't own it, get it.
  20. JamesT
    Jun 20, 2006
    8
    I would like for Dr. Todd Boyd to give a lecture to Dave A's cracker ass so he can shut the hell up. In the meantime, Ghostface's album is dope.
  21. KulayM
    Jun 20, 2006
    9
    Dave A, you're disrespecting on the entire African American culture. and kyle t, if a 50 year old dude wants to make hip hop art, and tell his life story so be it. if you were poor, you wouldn't have money for instruments...and in the meantime, let's see you guys try to rap and come up with something that's real and not generic, huh? That's right you guys Dave A, you're disrespecting on the entire African American culture. and kyle t, if a 50 year old dude wants to make hip hop art, and tell his life story so be it. if you were poor, you wouldn't have money for instruments...and in the meantime, let's see you guys try to rap and come up with something that's real and not generic, huh? That's right you guys can't, cuz you don't have the ability. I'll tell you what's wack, boy band shit and that generic materialism garbage you hear on the everyday radio.… Expand
  22. DillonM
    Jun 20, 2006
    7
    Rap is music, too. And fuck Kyle T.
  23. DamianW
    Jun 13, 2006
    9
    Very Good Album from Ghostface in a while. I love MF Doom and Madlib and the underground scene and will be looking foward to the MF Doom and Ghostface Album coming out soon
  24. rob
    Jun 5, 2006
    9
    dude, maybe not as good as supreme clientele but damn close. this album is phenomenal. i don't want to hear crying about how there's guns and bitches, it's just as bad in rock and roll. and rap is music, dave a isn't a person
  25. KevinW
    May 27, 2006
    10
    Dis is the best gangsta rap CD out now and everyone needs to go get it instead of TI's wack cd
  26. DanH
    May 6, 2006
    9
    If you don't like rap/hip-hop this won't be a big breakthrough for you. If you do like most rap/hip-hop, sit back and enjoy it.
  27. BenT
    May 5, 2006
    9
    better than ironman.
  28. DaveNobody
    May 1, 2006
    9
    I understand a couple of tracks had to be added to sell records, but even they are better than most of this Nelly and Chamillionaire crap that folks are passing off as Hip-Hop these days
  29. Hein
    Apr 30, 2006
    7
    Just a reliable hip-hop record with his ups and downs.
  30. Alex
    Apr 27, 2006
    10
    I've been Ghostface since Sepreme Clientele and have purchased all his solo albums as well as downloaded whatever he never put out officially... that being said this album is his best. I'm not gonna repeat the reviews that listed in detail what makes this album so damn, damn, damn hot but I will say that it's sad that Def Jam suggested the price at 7 dollars and it still I've been Ghostface since Sepreme Clientele and have purchased all his solo albums as well as downloaded whatever he never put out officially... that being said this album is his best. I'm not gonna repeat the reviews that listed in detail what makes this album so damn, damn, damn hot but I will say that it's sad that Def Jam suggested the price at 7 dollars and it still hasn't hit the same numbers as the mindless ying-yang twins and the like. This album isn't just a perfect hip-hop album but the best album I've bought in like... I would say, years. Regardless of genre this album will remain on top for a long while. 3 small notes: If you got the bootleg, thought the album was wack, get this REAL ONE. The longer version of "barbershop" has an extra few verses with Ghost making some social comentary (even droping the president in there) and is much better than the limited, but funny, album version. Last, I LOVE "jellyfish" it's my favorite track!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2006
49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2006
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Billboard
    90
    Overall, "Fishscale" is strong, with archetypal beats creating the definitive Ghost. [1 Apr 2006]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    He may not be reinventing himself, but as a must-hear street storyteller, he's still at the top of his game. [31 Mar 2006, p.64]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Will certainly stand as one of the best rap albums of the year. [26 Mar 2006]
See all critic reviews »