The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel
The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 16, 1997 | |||
Studio | Ameraycan Studios, North Hollywood, CA Firehouse Studios, NY Paul's Coffee Shop Unique Recording, NY Wu Mansion, NJ | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 60:24 | |||
Label | Gee Street/V2/BMG Records 63881-32501 | |||
Producer | RZA (also exec.) Neil Robertson (exec.) 4th Disciple True Master Poetic Darkim Be Allah Frukwan Prince Paul | |||
Gravediggaz chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B[5] |
Pitchfork | 6.5/10[2] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel is the second studio album by hip hop supergroup Gravediggaz.[6][7] Released on September 16, 1997, the album has a more socially conscious sound and is considerably calmer than its predecessor; it features heavy production input by the RZA and his production team the Wu Elements.[citation needed]
In contrast to the group's debut album, Prince Paul had less involvement in the production of this album.[8] He did produce the outro and the skit preceding "Hidden Emotions." He was still billed as an official member of the group, however, and appeared on the cover and inserts of the album.
Two singles were released from the album, "Dangerous Mindz" and "The Night the Earth Cried," though neither made it to the Billboard charts.
Critical reception[]
Spin called the album a "fanciful dystopia," writing that "each rap suggests a creative act of desperation."[9]
Track listing[]
Track listing information is taken from the official liner notes.[10]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 1:16 | ||
2. | "Dangerous Mindz" |
|
| 4:54 |
3. | "Da Bomb" |
| 4:10 | |
4. | "Unexplained" |
| 2:58 | |
5. | "Twelve Jewelz" |
|
| 2:51 |
6. | "Fairytalez" |
|
| 4:46 |
7. | "Never Gonna Come Back" |
|
| 3:48 |
8. | "Pit Of Snakes" |
|
| 4:19 |
9. | "The Night The Earth Cried" |
|
| 4:32 |
10. | "Elimination Process" (Featuring Shabazz The Disciple, Omen and the Aleem Brothers) |
|
| 5:37 |
11. | "Repentance Day" (Featuring Sunz Of Man and Killah Priest) |
| 5:18 | |
12. | "Hidden Emotions" |
|
| 6:17 |
13. | "What's Goin' On" (Featuring 9TH Prince) |
|
| 4:32 |
14. | "Deadliest Biz" |
| 3:03 | |
15. | "Outro" |
| 1:17 | |
Total length: | 59:38 |
Notes
- "Fairytalez" features background vocals by Kelis Rogers.
- "What's Goin' On" features background vocals by Blue Rasberry.
Samples
- "Unexplained" contains a sample of "Wild Flower" by New Birth.
- "Fairytalez" contains a sample of "Themes From Montreal Olympics" by The Salsoul Orchestra.
- "Never Gonna Come Back" contains a sample of "Love Serenade" by Barry White.
References[]
- ^ Allmusic link
- ^ "Gravediggaz: The Pick, The Sickle and the Shovel: Pitchfork Review". December 25, 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-12-25.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Gravediggaz". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "Rolling Stone link". Archived from the original on June 26, 2007.
- ^ "Album Review: 'The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel' and 'Psychoanalysis'". EW.com.
- ^ "Gravediggaz | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ Staff, SF Weekly (December 3, 1997). "Reviews". SF Weekly.
- ^ "GRAVEDIGGAZ The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel GEE STREET GEE 1000562". The Independent. September 12, 1997.
- ^ "Reviews". SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. December 30, 1997 – via Google Books.
- ^ The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (booklet). Gravediggaz. Gee Street/V2/BMG Records. 1997. 63881-32501.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- 1997 albums
- Gravediggaz albums
- Gee Street Records albums
- Albums produced by Prince Paul (producer)
- Albums produced by True Master
- Albums produced by 4th Disciple