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Considering that he hadn't delivered a full-fledged solo album since 1993's disappointing Lethal Injection, maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise that Ice Cube returned hard in 1998 with War & Peace, Vol. 1 (The War Disc), since five years is a long, long time to stay quiet. What was a surprise was how ambitious the album was. The first installment in a proposed double-disc set, The War Disc is a cacophonous, cluttered, impassioned record that nearly qualifies as a return to form. Designed as a hard-hitting record, it certainly takes no prisoners, as it moves from intense street-oriented jams to rap-metal fusions, such as the Korn-blessed "Fuck Dying," with its seething, distorted guitars. It's a head-spinning listen and, at first, it seems to be a forceful comeback. Upon closer inspection, The War Disc falters a bit. Not only does the relentless nature of the music wear a little thin, but Cube spends too much time trying to beat newcomers at their own game. His lyrical skills are still intact, but he spends way too much time boasting, particularly about material possessions, and his attempt to rechristen himself Don Mega, in a Wu-like move, simply seems awkward. Even so, the quality of the music -- and the moments when he pulls it all together, such as "3 Strikes You In" -- sustains War and makes it feel more cohesive than it actually is. The key is purpose -- even if Cube doesn't always say exactly what he wants, he does have something to say. That alone makes War & Peace, with just one album completed, a more successful and rewarding listen than the typical double-disc hip-hop set of the late '90s.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Tristan Jones, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Costey, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - T-Mix, Producer - Mr. Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Joseph Johnson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Executive Producer, MainArtist - BOB BROWN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - N.O. Joe, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lionel Hunt, Composer - Mr. Short Khop, Musician, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - N O Joe For Gumbo Funk Productions, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Traci Nelson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Johnson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, Co-Producer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - N.O. Joe, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Barbara Wilson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mr. Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - N O Joe For Gumbo Funk Productions, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Joseph Hearne, Composer - Joe Joe, Producer - Joe Joe For Gumbo Funk Productions, Producer - N O Joe, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mr Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Rice, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Elquine Rice, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - James Shaffer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Anderson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Korn, FeaturedArtist - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Butch, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Emmanuel, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Hyde, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Brian 'Head' Welch, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Traci Nelson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Stefani, Composer - Stephen Anderson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CARLOS WARLICK, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Butch, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - GWEN STEFANI, Composer - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bud-da, Producer - Emmanuel, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Bud'da For Lock Down Productions, Producer, Co-Producer - Jonathan Hyde, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathon Hyde, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Stephen Anderson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mack 10, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bud-da, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lionel Hunt, Composer - Lamont Hyde, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mr. Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bud'da For Lock Down Productions, Producer - Mr Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Budda, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Traci Nelson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Anderson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CARLOS WARLICK, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bud-da, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Barbara Wilson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bud'da For Lock Down Productions, Producer, Co-Producer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
Silkk The Shocker, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Master P, MainArtist
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Traci Nelson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mack 10, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Barbara Wilson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan 'Binky' Gardner, Composer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Dedrick Rolison, Composer - Joseph Johnson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, MainArtist - BOB BROWN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mack 10, FeaturedArtist - N.O. Joe, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Joseph Hearne, Composer - Joe Joe, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sleep, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Gerald Goffin, Composer - TIMOTHY WALKER, Composer - Chris Hines, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Masser, Composer - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mack 10, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Marlin Demby, Composer - The Deep Fried Camp, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - The Deep Fried Camp For Southern Fried Entertainment Inc, Producer, Co-Producer - Nolan V.H., Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Rick Cousins, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CARLOS WARLICK, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dutch, Producer - Andy Summers, Composer - Lionel Hunt, Composer - Mr. Short Khop, FeaturedArtist
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Ricardo Thomas, Composer - Traci Nelson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Moe, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barbara Wilson, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bryson Evans, Composer - Big Kebo, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Danette Williams, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Butch, Producer - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lionel Hunt, Composer - Mr. Short Khop, FeaturedArtist - Ryan 'Binky' Gardner, Composer - Fazon Love, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - K-Mac, Composer, FeaturedArtist
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Joseph Johnson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, MainArtist - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - N.O. Joe, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - N O Joe For Gumbo Funk Productions, Producer - Joseph Hearne, Composer - Joe Joe, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - N O Joe, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Joe & Joe, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Stephen Anderson, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bud-da, Producer - Bud'da For Lock Down Productions, Producer, Co-Producer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Joseph Johnson, Composer - Jerry Long, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - JOHN X, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Gregory Hutchinson, Composer - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - N.O. Joe, Producer - Mr. Short Khop, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Hearne, Composer - Kevin Gulley, Composer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
O'Shea Jackson, Composer - Mark Ogleton, Composer - Fred Maher, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Costey, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ice Cube, Producer, Mixer, MainArtist, StudioPersonnel - Tony Dawsey, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - E A Ski, Producer - E-A-Ski, Composer, Producer
(C) 1998 Best Side LLC(C) 1998 Priority Records LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
Album review
Considering that he hadn't delivered a full-fledged solo album since 1993's disappointing Lethal Injection, maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise that Ice Cube returned hard in 1998 with War & Peace, Vol. 1 (The War Disc), since five years is a long, long time to stay quiet. What was a surprise was how ambitious the album was. The first installment in a proposed double-disc set, The War Disc is a cacophonous, cluttered, impassioned record that nearly qualifies as a return to form. Designed as a hard-hitting record, it certainly takes no prisoners, as it moves from intense street-oriented jams to rap-metal fusions, such as the Korn-blessed "Fuck Dying," with its seething, distorted guitars. It's a head-spinning listen and, at first, it seems to be a forceful comeback. Upon closer inspection, The War Disc falters a bit. Not only does the relentless nature of the music wear a little thin, but Cube spends too much time trying to beat newcomers at their own game. His lyrical skills are still intact, but he spends way too much time boasting, particularly about material possessions, and his attempt to rechristen himself Don Mega, in a Wu-like move, simply seems awkward. Even so, the quality of the music -- and the moments when he pulls it all together, such as "3 Strikes You In" -- sustains War and makes it feel more cohesive than it actually is. The key is purpose -- even if Cube doesn't always say exactly what he wants, he does have something to say. That alone makes War & Peace, with just one album completed, a more successful and rewarding listen than the typical double-disc hip-hop set of the late '90s.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 18 track(s)
- Total length: 01:10:15
- Main artists: Ice Cube
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Priority Records
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 1998 Best Side LLC ℗ 1998 Best Side LLC
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