To me its a partial return to form, closest to the W in terms of quality. RZA's production is consistent throughout, athough on tracks like Wolves and Campfire he truly excels, bringing his own brand back of the grimy dark claustrophic beats that made 90's New York Hip-Hop so incredible.
The MC'ing on the other hand is pretty hit and miss. On one hand, Method Man sounds as hungry as ever and his flow throughout is the second main highlight of the album. Masta Killa excels as well imo. However, there isn't enough Ghostface(particurly on the second half of the album) Deck or the GZA, and the likes of U-God, Streetlife and the RZA himself really can't carry the album, particurly when it dips midway with tracks like Sunlight.
Other then that, I love the strange singing from the likes of George Clinton and Sunny Valentine, makes the album all the more distinctive and surreal and is a far better tribute to ODB then the emotionless Life Changes.
7/10 imo, and an album that shouldn't be overlooked.
I really loved the production on this one. I don't know what RZA's been smoking, but its working. All the complaining that it doesn't sound mainstream anymore are spot-on, in the same way that Aquemini and Hell Hath No Fury weren't "mainstream". Lyrically, this doesn't touch those albums, but it's right there with John Smith's Growing Pains as the "best production with meh lyrics" album out in 07.
Posts: 305 | Location: AVA | Registered: 24 June 2006
Hmm dont have a go at me for this but I didnt really like the new 8 diagrams album it just doesnt compare to how their old songs used to be and theres no songs that I think wow this is great apart from Wolves.
I'm with Masta Killa. 8 Diagrams was weak. The production was magnificent, and to be quite honest, I think that might have been part of the problem. It sounds sparkly and clean. To me, Wu-Tang has always been skanky and heavy, with minimalistic beats. I love that, and 8 Diagrams is just too much. I don't want George Clinton on my Wu-Tang record, just like I don't want Wu-Tang on my Parliament Funkadelic records, and don't even get me started on the Beatles rip off.
Listen, I love Wu-Tang. They are for sure my all time favorite rap/hip-hop artists, but 8 Diagrams was soft and weak.
Originally posted by WiseOwlRecords: The production was magnificent, and to be quite honest, I think that might have been part of the problem. It sounds sparkly and clean. To me, Wu-Tang has always been skanky and heavy, with minimalistic beats.
I agree, that's the problem with most new things Wu.
I big disappointment; all the rappers are BORING and the beats are for the most part BORING. Iron Flag was infinitely better, in fact this is probably their worst album. Oh well.
"See I lent my shotgun to Kurt Cobain, and the mutherf*cker never brought it back" - Xzibit
Posts: 150 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 19 May 2004