Although it may not seem like it, my life does not completely revolve around politics. I’m an avid fan and listener of underground hip-hop, and older pre-2001 rap music. The Wu-tang clan is finally back, and they came in with a bang; My review:
The album starts off with “Campfire.” Which, as usual with Wu releases, is a perfect starting point for an album. It gives you an indication that the direction they’re going in with the album is one they haven’t gone in before. Rza’s cold instrumentals along with his trademark beat switches are first laced by Method Man, who really sets a great pace with his quick witted lyricism. Ghostface Killah is also great on this song, taking a great pass from Tical. The track is finished proper by Cappadonna, who is now officially a signed member of the Wu-Tang Clan, per the Rza.
Best Verse: Method Man
Rating (4.25/5)
The next track is “Take It Back,” which is functioning as the street single for the album. One could only expect this track to be gritty, as the legendary Easy Mo Bee lends production to the album, accompanied by the Abbot to churn out a really great beat. The beat is simple, but allows the emcees to really showcase their abilities. Everybody on the track did it justice, and helped continue the great start the album got off to.
Best Verse: Inspectah Deck
Rating (4.25/5)
Continuing, “Get Em Out Your Way Pa” serves as the album’s first “low” point. Its not that bad of a song, but within it’s context, it doesn’t hold up to the rest of the album. The hooks is pretty much terrible, and is part of the reason that you’re only getting a solid song at best with this one.
Best Verse: Masta Killa
Rating (3.5/5)
After maybe the most disappointing point in the album, you get into the absolute best stretch of songs on the album. First up, you have “Rushing Elephants.” This is the point in the album where I knew rumors of Rza’s demise were greatly exaggerated. He created something special with this one. And it showed in the emceeing, because all the members obliterated a crazy Rza beat. Arguably the best track on the album. Wu-Banga for sure.
Best Verse: Gza/Genius
Rating (5/5)
How do you follow that up? Easily With “Unpredictable.” Holy $@%. Probably the hardest beat on the album. Insane instrumental provided by the Rza, who blessed the album version with extra guitar riffs. My only complaint was that more members didn’t get on this insanity. This song really holds true to its title - Wu is Unpredictable. Between this and Rushing Elephants, my favorite tracks on the album.
Best Verse: Inspectah Deck
Rating (5/5)
Okay, so it has to fall off. Not really. Next up is the song with the buzz, “The Heart Gently Weeps.” Now, it was heralded as the first song that actually got a Beatles sample clearance, but it functions more as a cover. And the Wu didn’t disappoint with it. First off, Rza went and got Dhani Harrison and John Frusciante for the live instruments to make sure that this song was an actual event. Raekwon, Ghostface, and Tical make sure to hold up their end of the bargain, offering heartfelt verses to really compliment the mood of the song. Rza has praised Ghostface’s verse as the best verse he’s heard in a long time. And there might be some truth there, as it probably is the best verse on the album. “Heart…” kind of serves as this album’s “I Can’t Go To Sleep” - and continues a great string of songs.
Best Verse: Ghostface Killah
Rating (5/5)
They didn’t spare legendary musicians participating on this record, as the King of Funk, George Clinton makes an appearance on the next song, “Wolves.” Now, I have to admit, it took me a while to adjust to Clinton’s chorus - but once I did…it really allowed me to enjoy a track that I had thought was really dope otherwise all along. Method Man and Masta Killa are in top form on this cut.
Best Verse: Masta Killa/Method Man (tie)
Rating (4.25/5)
A loud sample (of which I’m still not sure of the source) follows “Wolves.” And immediate, I think we’re about to get a track that is overproduced. Instead, I get a perfectly under produced song by the name of “Gun Will Go.” The more subtle tone of this song was complimented by the more subtle voices of Raekwon, Method Man, and Masta Killa - who all really shined on this track. This also kind of jumpstarts a trend of vocals being added to a lot of songs toward the end of the album. Except, in this case, it works in the favor of “Gun Will Go,” which turns out to be quite the banger.
Best Verse: Raekwon
Rating (4.5/5)
To my surprise, a solo song would show up next. Prior to listening to the album, I was hearing that Rza’s performance was less than stellar. But wow, did this track tell me otherwise. “Sunlight,” a drunken tale that Rza delivers in his famouns tongue twisted style, holds up to past Rza solo cuts and cut have easily fit on his last solo effort Birth of a Prince. The combination of top notch production and lyricism not only impressed me, but made me eager to hear “Digi Snacks” in 2008.
Best Verse: N/A
Rating (5/5)
Following Rza’s solo is “Stick Me For My Riches,” a more unconventional Wu-Tang song that may be a little more radio friendly than Wu fans like. Although the vocals kind of annoyed me at first, they ended up working. I was most pleased by Gza breaking out and doing a song thats a little different for him, and showcasing his ability to actually ride a quicker paced beat. This song, for lack of a better term, is a grower. The once annoying chorus becomes infectious and the beat supplied by Allah Mathematics holds down the Wu fort.
Best Verse: Gza/Genius
Rating (4/5)
The radio friendly theme looks like it continues with the next song, “Starter.” This cut is your necessary “female” track, but Wu does it a little better. Once again. they may have been able to cut out some of the vocals here. The beat in its own right is really dope, but the less appealing hook evens the playing field. Nobody really wants to hear somebody singing about “chicks” on a Wu-Tang Clan record. But hot damn, I’m really feeling that beat.
Best Verse: Inspectah Deck
Rating (3.75/5)
You wanted a more familiar record? You got it? “Windmill” chimes in next with a sound thats a little more of what people would expect. This song, outside of the ODB tribute, features the most verses. Rza utilizes a sample from Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang” (of Kill Bill fame) to really orchestrate a vintage Wu sounding track that instantly brings the quality level of the album back up. The Chef drops this gem: “Dirt Dog we miss you, now its time to murder the game, cuz if things change, you know they against Wu,” which I thought was ironic because he may be the main person against Wu right now. Line was sick though.
Best Verse: Raekwon
Rating (4.25/5)
You hear that familiar Wu-Tang Clan kung-fu sample kick in…and you know you’re about to hear a great song. “Weak Spot” is the next song on the album. Another quality cut that holds up to the rest of the album. The “weak spot” kung-fu sample is utilized perfectly in conjunction with the beat, as Rza, Gza, and Rae remind you that you can’t find a weak spot that doesn’t exist.
Best Verse: Rza
Rating (4.25/5)
On November 13th, 2004, we lost hip hop’s most unique peronality. Ason Unique AKA the Ol’ Dirty Bastard. For years, people have been wondering what Wu collectively has to say on that subject. “Life Changes” is the answer to that question. Wu-Tang (minus Ghost) pay tribute to their fallen brother with the last cut on the album. While some of the verses seem like a forced attempt at a tribute - “…Changes” is a cut that really can make one reflect. Rza’s use of the “The Road We Didn’t Take” sample is perfect, and the verses were heartfelt. My one complaint would be that I didn’t understand the mixing/singling out of Rza’s verse. It kinda threw the track off at the end. But overall, a great song for a great individual. I just wish they were a little more cohesive (PLUS GHOST!) and had longer verses on this one.
Also, people have been wondering about the strange talking at the end of “Life Changes.” Here’s a blog that explains everything: http://www.vogeltjesdansbende.nl/weblog/?p=863
Best Verse: N/A
Rating (4.5/5)
To summarize, I think we got another quality effort from the Wu-Tang Clan. Which to me, confirms exactly why I think they’re the best. Amidst controversy, death, squabbles, etc - they still don’t disappoint. Some say that ‘8 Diagrams’ doesn’t hold true to the Wu-Tang sound. Which leads me to this question: Why? No two Wu group albums sound alike. Forever didn’t sound like 36. The W didn’t sound like Forever. And Iron Flag didn’t sound like the W. This album continues that trend. I have to question how much of a Wu fan you are if you expected this album to sound like anything they’ve done before - that’s never been the case and that’s never been the appeal. 8 Diagrams also confirmed another thing to me. Rza is the Abbot for a reason. He gets it. And that’s not to say that everybody shouldn’t have a say so in Wu-Tang, but Rza needs to be trusted. He’ll always take chances musically, and I appreciate that more than sticking with a formula. Additionally, the Wu-Tang Clan as emcees were incredible on this album. The best I’ve heard them collectively probably in 10 years. I thought everybody carried their weight lyrically, even U-Godzilla himself. I’m not for an anti-Rza Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album. Because I’ve always thought the appeal of Wu-Tang was their unity. Their cohesiveness. And I think if you take out an element, especially the main element, you’re asking for trouble. The lack of ODB’s presence alone has had an effect on their sound since 97. Bottom line - if this is the last time we’ve heard Wu-Tang as a group, I can say with confidence that they went out on a good note. If its not the last time we’ve heard them, I can say with confidence that they still have it in them to make great music.
Final rating: (4.25/5)
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