#477 - The Fugees - The Score

On the other side of my previous argument that rap is a genre that struggles to age well over the years is The Fugees' The Score. An album that perfectly blends a multitude of styles and genres, The Score is a testament to great music that takes you back to a time when you were young. Although the album is definitely 90's and lacks the swagger and glamor of contemporary artists, it is a fantastic example of what rap is capable of and the road it would take leading up to the current state of the genre.

The most recognizable and successful track on the album is definitely the wonderful cover of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly." To be honest, I dig Lauren Hill and company's version of this song even more than the spectacular original. Despite its massive pop appeal (you could not turn on music television or the radio without hearing the song), "Killing Me Softly" is just one among an album of great tracks. The samples utilized on The Score are fun and wonderfully arranged. For instance, the sample taken from The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You" on "Zealots" is, perhaps, my favorite part of the album. Other samples include artists ranging from The Moody Blues to Enya to Bob Marley.

"Ready or Not" and "Fu-gee-la" along with the Flack cover are The Fugees at their best. Listening to this album now, I am incredibly saddened that this would be the last album The Fugees put out. While Wyclef has had his hands on a number of different projects (my favorite being his solo-release Carnival), I long for the days that the three of these talented artists combined forces to create something so eclectically phenomenal. Do yourself a favor; listen to this album and appreciate what a great year 1996 was for those of us who were finding ourselves at the time.

-d.

I’m writing this intro before I’ve started the cd. I have mixed expectations here. On one hand, I remember how inescapable The Score was, with a mix of soul and backpacker hip hop. But was I only impressed due to my youth? Were the lyrics that brilliant and the singing so beautiful? Despite commercial success, none of the Fugees has done much quality work since. Lauryn Hill had the only critically acclaimed album to come from the three. I have to wonder if Wyclef just lost his skill with words, or if he never really had it. Time to find some headphones and see….

The answers come quick. Wyclef can’t rap. Lauryn was such an immense talent. Praz is….there. Maybe I’m being harsh. Wyclef has some interesting things to say, he just uses so many corny analogies and gets a bit mush mouthed at times. He gets shown up by Praz, who doesn’t rely on accents to the same level. It’s a shame Praz hasn’t done more music since the Fugees breakup. His verses are filled with expert wordplay. He just lacks the charisma of his old cohorts. Then there’s Ms. Hill. So much ability packed into a beautiful package. She could out-rap anyone in the 90’s at her best, and sang with enough passion to do right by Roberta Flack. Unfortunately, she’s apparently a whole big bag of crazy. She sabotaged her own career by running from the industry, releasing odd statements and terrible leaked singles. During the short-lived Fugees reunion she reportedly requested everyone call her Miss or Empress. She’s taken to wearing ridiculous makeup and outfits onstage, regularly getting booed off by her audience for her rambling, often spoken word. performances. It’s like a modern R&B equivalent of Syd Barrett.

The Score is a masterpiece, though. By far the best work of any of the three members discographies, it’s great samples and perfect beats from front to back. Aside from some pointless attempts at the obligatory “rap sketch” there isn’t a wasted moment. There is always a message to be broadcast, always an emotion to transmit to the listener. You can’t exaggerate Hill’s talent. She had the magic that allowed her to not just tell a story, but actually make you live it. "The Mask" is one of those moments. She has a conversation with herself that feels like you walked between to girls on the street. It also has one of the most laidback, jazzy loops on the album. Great rainy day listening. "Fu-Gee-La" is the real showcase. For all the deserved praise of "Killing Me Softly," it’s two tracks earlier that every member of the group gives their very best. Great verses from everyone, a perfect hook and a sublime rhythm track. One of those songs I can hear all day and not get sick of.

In the end, The Score more than lives up to my memories. It’s fantastic from start to finish. The only complaints I have are the aforementioned skits and the questionable cover of "No Woman No Cry." But those are very minor concerns. It’s sad that we won’t hear something like this again. It’s so hard to find this much skill in one group, and with the inability of the Fugees to get passed their egos and disagreements, we can’t look to them to be that rare gem. But at least we’ve got this album to hold on to.