The Pretty Toney Album - Ghostface Killah
Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. All Music Guide
    60
    It's partly a party album like 2001's Bulletproof Wallets, but freer, more inspired, and tempered with pure street tracks that were missing last time round.
  2. Pitchfork
    82
    Pretty Toney far surpasses 2001's Bulletproof Wallets, finally finding the missing link between street cred and commercial respect.
  3. Mojo
    80
    Forget notions of old or new schools: this is an album that blends a kindergarten-level technique with styles that are strictly postgraduate. [Jun 2004, p.116]
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  4. Rolling Stone
    70
    More than any of his previous albums, Pretty Toney hones Ghost's wild style into accessible confections.
  5. The A.V. Club
    90
    Though his rhyming Wu-Tang compatriots are conspicuously absent, Ghostface's latest does what nearly all latter-day Wu-Tang releases have been trying to do without much success: return to the brilliance of 36 Chambers. [28 Apr 2004]
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  6. Spin
    100
    A bruisingly great collection of demented 1988-style boom-bap. [May 2004, p.107]
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  7. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Ghostface... comes off hungrier than ever to produce thrilling hip-hop. [14 May 2004, p.68]
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  8. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Unfortunately, The Pretty Toney Album falls short in replacing what Raekwon had contributed to Ghost's previous album releases, causing the album to feel essentially incomplete.
  9. Billboard
    80
    [He] truly shines.
  10. No Ripcord
    70
    The first five tracks are some of the rawest the nine-man conglomerate has ever served. But this all transpires within the first fifteen minutes of the disc. From there Pretty Toney takes a few ugly turns.
  11. The New York Times
    80
    "Pretty Toney" doesn't match the high standard of Ghostface's first two, "Ironman" and "Supreme Clientele," but it's a strong album nonetheless, packed with dense narratives and weird conceits.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    78
    An album full of voluptuous soul samples fused with brusque perspectives on love, life, and common thuggery.
  13. Playlouder
    90
    Fourteen listens deep, this is still getting better. All but a rap classic. You know, Kanye's good, but really, fuck that. Ghost for president.
  14. Village Voice
    80
    "Hip-hop soul" is supposed to be for r&b singers, but Ghostface's latest redefines the term.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. rod
    8
    One of ghosts' best. Ironman was like the flipside to only cuban linx, and this album is the closest return to that calibur. Grown man rap touched with something rap has gotten away from - soul, humor, and a killer flow...… Full Review »
  2. JoeP
    10
    This is my favorite album. You might not like it if you don't like to get o know your rapper personally.
  3. TomS
    9
    one time
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