This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Back when he debuted as a member of The Wu-Tang Clan, rapper Dennis Coles went by the name Ghostface Killah.
Now four albums into his solo career, he’s more or less dropped his supernaturally homicidal surname. Whether this is a sign of egotism or penitence is beyond me, but either way it sure fits — Ghostface couldn’t hurt a flea with the pale Pretty Toney Album. Don’t get me wrong; as a rapper, Ghostie still packs plenty of skills with his offkilter flow and streetwise vulgarity. But like a lot of Wu members, his rhymes sound best when paired with the ominous tracks of Clan mastermind RZA, who only contributes a couple of cuts to this disc. The rest of the time, Ghostface tries to get by with upbeat, clubby grooves and Motownish melodies that are ill-suited to his gritty urban persona. Simply put, Pretty Toney is pretty mediocre.
