Pharoahe Monch opens the long awaited follow up to Internal Affairs with “Free” where he intricately places the rap game and the slave trade from early America side by side and points out some of the overwhelming similarities. Singer Showtyme turns in an impressive vocal arrangement on the album’s title track as Monch speaks on perseverance over a well laid backdrop from the ever clever Alchemist. On “Push” Monch enlists the help of numerous musical comrades to speak on global issues like the 400 billion dollar war in Iraq that has cost our country some 3000 lives. Throughout Desire Monch displays intriguing inner emotions on some of today’s and yesterday’s most prevalent factors like gun violence on “When The Gun Draws” where he and Mr. Porter pay homage to slain individuals like Jesse Owens, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 2Pac, and Biggie. On “Body Baby” Monch uses a clever arrangement of different tracks to signify a radio being changed from station to station before settling for a swing influenced backdrop making it one of the premier cuts on the album. The albums second single or B-side “Let’s Go”, whichever you choose, is an inviting upbeat celebration of true east coast hip hop. Producer Black Milk lays down a smooth sound bed for Monch on “Bar Tap” where he takes a breather from the conscious rap to spit about a sexy little lady he meets at the night spot. Producer Lee Stone laces a mesmerizing backdrop on the Erykah Badu assisted “Hold On” making it the album’s undeniable high point.

Desire displays an abundance of excellent food for thought which is not usually forfeited in hip hop these days. Some if not most of the beats are boring and severely undercooked which turns out to be a gift and a curse for the duration of the album. On one hand Desire lacks the knock appeal that is needed in today’s market, but on the other hand it makes for an easier path to the listener’s ear for Monch’s thought provoking rhymes.

VERDICT – 14 / 20
LYRICS: 4
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 3