While no new Rakim album is in sight, the artist has been road testing new songs during 1997 tour in Australia. John Digester has compared writing for Rakim’s new album to that on ‘The Book Of Life’ - but has declared the lyrics will be even more terrifying. Since completing 1997’s ‘Casualties Of War’, Rakim fulfilled their contract with Capitol Records and where under no obligation to release another album. Rakim “The Book Of Life” is an amazing album.
The opening track is very much like you would expect from other albums.
Music in Eric B. Is President is cool as in all tracks of The Book Of Life. Voice and instruments in Follow The Leader complement each other. In I Ain’t No Joke Rakim spins a tale you want to hear to the end. I Know You Got Soul hits the heart. In The Ghetto is one of the coolest songs Rakim has ever recorded. Know The Ledge is almost impossible to review. Let The Rhythm Hit’em is a good listen every once in a while. I have all of Rakim’s tracks and Lyrics Of Fury is probably the most his introspective effort. Mahogany is pretty funky and mellow. I listened to the opening track Microphone Fiend and liked it a lot. Such hits like Move The Crowd will leave you hooked. My Melody is new, fresh, and hypnotizing. Paid In Full is a catchy, up-tempo track that has influence of music streams without leaning too much in that direction. The Punisher is a song that definitely grows on you and becomes an album favorite.
The Book Of Life CD
| Song Name | Time | ||
| Casualties Of War.mp3 | 4:03 |  |
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| Eric B. Is President.mp3 | 6:15 | |
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| Follow The Leader.mp3 | 5:32 | |
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| I Ain’t No Joke.mp3 | 3:53 | |
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| I Know You Got Soul.mp3 | 4:44 | |
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| In The Ghetto.mp3 | 5:26 | |
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| Know The Ledge.mp3 | 3:59 | |
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| Let The Rhythm Hit’em.mp3 | 5:24 | |
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| Lyrics Of Fury.mp3 | 4:12 | |
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| Mahogany.mp3 | 4:28 | |
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| Microphone Fiend.mp3 | 5:13 | |
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| Move The Crowd.mp3 | 3:36 | |
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| My Melody.mp3 | 6:47 | |
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| Paid In Full.mp3 | 3:50 | |
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| The Punisher.mp3 | 4:07 | |
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