More Fish is founding Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah’s second album of 2006. Fish comes on the heels of last March’s Fishscale, a critically acclaimed album that many in the industry consider one of the best rap albums of 2006. In April, the first Fish scaled as high as No. 4 in Billboard’s top 200. Listeners who expect more of the same out of the second Fish will find less Wu influence and more out of Ghostface’s Staten Island-based crew Theodore Unit. There are also tracks on More that seem more like ‘leftovers’ from Fishscale, than actual album material.

Ghost comes out hard on over the “Know The Ledge” beat on the intro track, “Ghost Is Back” letting everyone not to take him lightly, even after 13 years since his appearance on 36 Chambers.

The second track, “Miguel Sanchez,” features Theodore Unit member Trife Da God and the first of two appearances from Ghostface’s 17-year-old son, Sun God - who also had one guest spot on Fishscale. “Miguel Sanchez” is a first-person description of a fictional drug trafficker. The beat brought rising anticipation with a stretched out horn note much like “Pump It Up” by Joe Budden years back… and I hated that song too.

“Guns N’ Razors” guest stars Trife, Killa Sin and Cappadonna. Upon hearing the beat I heard the signature 1960s cartoon influence and immediately knew this was one of the two MF DOOM produced tracks. The booming horn harmonization sounds like the soundtrack of a key fight scene from Spider Man And His Amazing Friends. Nevertheless, it undoes the damage from the previous track.

The fifth track, “Good” featuring Trife and Mr. Maygreen, is a Kool-Aid and Peanut production and is slated to be the album’s first single. “Good” has a very upbeat feeling courtesy of the horns and choir chiming in behind the beat. The chorus is very soulful with a silky-smooth Maygreen who is definitely worthy of the job.

“Greedy Bitches”, guest starring Redman and Shawn Wigs, is the first song on Fish where Ghostface doesn’t seem like he’s yelling into the mic. Ghost comes off more personal in this track due to his toned-down flow that makes it sound like he’s speaking directly to the listener. The simplicity of the Anthony Acid beat suggests that he probably just let the turntables do most of the work. Still, though, it turned out to be a very chill beat that allowed Ghostface to speak to us. Redman brought a personality and presence that only Redman could and certainly has me hating gold-digging women as well.

“Josephine” featuring Trife and the Willie Cottrell Band, showcases Ghostface’s storytelling ability in a very intimate track about a woman who ruins her life with drugs. “Josephine” is a breath of fresh air for this album and the Willie Cottrell Band and producer Hi-Tek did a good job. This is one of Fish’s stand out tracks along with those produced by DOOM.

Amy Winehouse delivers a soulful performance in “You Know I’m No Good.” The song is about a woman who cheats and Ghost leads us through her story. Trumpets and trombone headline the beat with a saxophone and acoustic guitar that gives the listener a feeling of seduction and mystery. At points in the song the music rises and Ghostface comes through, rising along with it and matching the emotion with his own. “Alex (Stolen Script)” is the other track produced by DOOM and has 60’s crime drama soundtrack written all over it. The beat evokes a feeling of mystery and really keeps the listener interested throughout the song like there was something to be solved at the end.

Anthony Acid returns with a sped-up gospel backdrop on the inspirational “Gotta Hold On”. Wigs and Eamon hold this one down (this the third Ghostless track of the album) telling how to overcome tough times and make the best of life. The last track, the pointless “Back Like That (Remix)” with Ne-Yo is one of the singles from Fishscale, albeit redone this time with Kanye West guest starring.

It is easy to see that Fish is less a solo Ghostface album and more a Theodore Unit mixtape. Rather than calling it a mixtape, though, Def Jam has pushed this project as album, hoping to take advantage of unknowing fourth quarter consumers. The first half of the album doesn’t vary much in subject matter and becomes very monotonous; however, the second half turns things around, showing more artistic depth and delivering songs that change the tone of the entire album. More Fish has something in it for everybody and, although isn’t a Ghostface album per say, is a worthy late night snack after a Fishscale dinner.

by Kevin Lu

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