music.wikisort.org - Composition

The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel is the second studio album by hip hop supergroup Gravediggaz.[8][9] Released on September 16, 1997[10] via Gee Street, V2 and BMG Records, 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]}

The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel
Studio album by Gravediggaz
Released	September 16, 1997[1]
Studio	Ameraycan Studios, North Hollywood, CA Firehouse Studios, NY Paul's Coffee Shop Unique Recording, NY Wu Mansion, NJ
Genre	Horrorcore[2]
Length	59:38
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
The Hell E.P. (1995) The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (1997) Nightmare in A-Minor (2002)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Robert Christgau	[4]
Entertainment Weekly	B[5]
Pitchfork	6.5/10[6]
Rolling Stone	[7]

In contrast to the group's debut album, Prince Paul had less involvement in the production of this album.[11] 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."[12]

Track listing

Track listing information is taken from the official liner notes.[13]

Notes

• "Fairytalez" features background vocals by Kelis Rogers.
• "What's Goin' On" features background vocals by Blue Raspberry.

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

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