Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
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Free Music Notes for 8 Diagrams
Free Music Review: Comparing this with current hip hop, not past Wu albums, really 4 1/2 stars
Hit: 5 Stars
First I have to say that I waited quite some time before putting out my review on the album. I have listened to the album in its entirety at least 25 times. I have to say that this is an album that you appreciate after the 10th listen. At the same time I can agree with most reviewers and hardcore Wu fans that this album is definitely something that comes as a surprise. I would most like to say that it isnt so much the beats that do this album in for the Rza but I feel like the chorus and to much singing made the beats look off. At the same time when I compare this to 50, Kanye, Soulja boy and others I still have to give this album 4 1/2 stars. To be honest you can not compare this to 36 chambers of Wu Tang 4ever for many reasons. Firstly, Wu members are now near 40, they are no longer in their early to mid twenties. You can not expect them to have the same hunger or expect them to view life the same way. These grown men/soldiers are now fathers, family supporters. Secondly, hip hop as a whole has changed, people dont care as much for lyrics anymore. They buy this commercial sound now. Lastly, the motivation to create an amazing sound is not there anymore, the record industry as a whole is down heavy because people no longer buy and support their artists. People download, when you make a good album and it does not sell you lose the motivation to continue to do so. A good example of this is Fishscale. That album was fire, and it didnt even go Gold I believe. Ghost clearly lost some of his thunder afterwards. I was not nearly as happy with the Big Doe Rehab. It was an ok album but I expected much more. At the same time, I have 36 chambers, I have Wu Tang 4ever. If I want to listen to these albums I will simply pop them in and rock on. I do not expect them to make a similar album because of the above reasons. Please keep in mind that these guys have done, rapped, said it all. They have done R&B, ODB has done opera, they have done pure mcing. What more can you expect from them. Always keep in mind that many of the Solo projects featured tons of Wu members. When you keep this in mind you see that Wu Tang Clan is a real legacy regardless of the latter albums. So when rating this and all I put all things into consideration. If I compare this to 36 chambers or Wu tang 4ever this album does not hold a light to them. At the same time I look at those albums as some of the best in Hip Hop history. Not much compares to those. If this album came out by another group and we all heard it I think we would agree that this is a 4 to 4 1/2 star album. The problem is we all expect so much more from the mighty Wu Tang Clan.
This album to me is as good as Iron Flag and better then "The W". Some of the amazing tracks include Campfire, Take it back, Rushing Elephants, Heart Gently Weeps, Wolves, Windmill and my favorite WEAK SPOT!! I feel if the album had less singing/chorus with this singing and a few more quick beats that people would have embraced this album much more. They should definitely come out with a video which will help sales. This video should be "Take it back" or "Weak Spot" in my opinion.
I am looking forward to the album that Raekwon is talking about with hard punch you in the face beats. I sure hope its better then the Big Doe Rehab which Ghost boasts as an amazing album.
Free Music Review: oh you aint hear? the crew of the year, kid too much to bear
Hit: 5 Stars
I have always held the view that wu tang is def the best act in hip hop bar none, the problem with many fans and critics is that they do not look at the whole picture when reviewing any work coming out of the legendary outfit, to most this is to considered the clans fifth release, to real wu fans this is far from the truth, to those of us who eat, drink and live wu tang on daily basis, 8 diagrams is simply the 9999th release. for us Cuban Links is considered as wu tang release not a raekwon release, the same applies to liquid swords, the legend of liquid swords, heavy mental, Iron Man, Supreme Clientele ,fishsacle the Resident Patient, no set date, beneath the surface, uncontrolled substance, tical are all viewed in essence as a wu tang product . These albums have the same concept over and over again, wu tang members and affiliates, wu sound production.
So how does this affect the review of the 8 diagrams album? It does in the sense that critics and fans will compare this to four albums when in reality they should compare it to at least 10-15 albums in between 36 chambers and 8 diagrams. In that sense you can never call any wu tang album a comeback album, cause over the past 15 years these masters have not left us.
Now back to the album, could it have been better? well that's a no brainer, when u have 7 of the top 30 mcs of all time and one of the top five music producers in the games together you always expect things to be better, but as a collective this group has rapped about everything from selling dope, to Chinese philosophies and Islam , and everything in between politics, the game, women, guns, the streets , clothes jewelry, dirty cops, crimes, love, mothers, friendship, etc, this is what makes wu tang what it is. So in that sense, one has to ask what do the fans want?
the fans what an album that does what 36 chambers did , to take the hip hop and the industry to a whole new level, and this is exactly where the problem lies, there is no new level, there is no higher ground , wu tang has done and said it all.
the album features some insane beats, wolves, windmill, campfire , starter , rushing elephants and unpredictable come to mind , lyrically method man comes through the strongest , hungry at last was my first thought when I heard him on this album, this has to be U-GOD's finest hour, his short , precise word play leaves nothing more to be desired, RZA , Masta , Rae and Ghost all deliver the usually off the wall rhymes, my only disappointment lyrically was Deck, don't get me wrong , he can still blitz any MC past and present out of the water it's just that he does not get enough time on the album, the same applies to GZA, nice to see Cappa back in the fold, he holds his ground no doubt.
It might not be the best chapter in the wu saga, but then again no saga in hip hop even begins to compare to the WU's.
Free Music Review: Awesome - Would you expect anything less?
Hit: 5 Stars
Being a new fan to Wu-Tang I discovered Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) fairly recently and it instantly made my all time classics list. This prompted me to journey back through the history of the clan which I have enjoyed listening to, viewing and reading about. When I heard Wu-Tang was bringing out a new album I was keen to grab a copy and I did. I was hooked on the first listen. This album, by todays `hip hop' standards is an absolute masterpiece. It is different to most of what is out at the moment but different in that it is original and unique, just as `enter the Wu-Tang' was all those years ago.
It seems many people have taken to disliking this album as it is not typical Wu-Tang but it is this which I believe deserves RZA and the clan extra credit. They realize that their past is exactly that and each of the clan on this album has taken a massive step forward. More instruments, chorus' you can sing, martial arts snippets and samples and the same second-to-none delivery of their unique and hard-hitting lyrics makes this disc a superb listen. While some tracks are admittedly better than others, each is an interesting and impressive listen. If the clan had tried to reproduce their earlier successes, the outcome would have been terrible. For fans that have followed the Wu-Tang Clan journey (which I have loved discovering for myself) both as a united clan and as individual artists it seems that this release is exactly where they should be at this point in time. They have grown as MC's and individuals (as have their fans) and are at a point where they are making more mature and deeper tunes.
Again I draw reference to other releases at the moment. While I own and listen to many hip hop and rap albums almost everyone wears thin after a few rotations. I would argue that the Wu Tang Clan are one of very few hip hop acts whose releases can be listened to again and again without you losing interest. I felt this with Enter the `Wu-Tang' and although there have been some absolute corkers of tracks on various individual clan member releases, as well as 'Forever', 'The W' & 'Iron Flag', I honestly believe this is the closest they have come to producing something different in a market of repetitive, recycled and disposable garbage. A new sound on their first LP saw them reach their status and break new ground and it is this release that should see them maintain it. There really is nothing that comes close. Wu-Tang forever.
Free Music Review: NEW CLASSIC!! CHECK THIS OUT
Hit: 5 Stars
A lot of people will disagree with me but this album starts a new Wu Tang era. And man, this is Great. Don't compare it to nothing else. It's just like this: Rza is taking hip hop forward, pushing the limits of the genre. If you don't like it, stick to what you usually listen. YOU ARE MISSING. I don't, I bought the damr record. We all know Rza won't care about critics, you must know it by now. He could've stick to the early wu tang sound, wich is timeless and amazing, but Rza wanted more, the whole Wu tang wanted more. But maybe Rae and Ghost wanted different. And that's COOL. Tha's what makes Wu Tang great. The vibrant emotion of its members. They just won't settle down and go like "that's cool, man i'd do wathever people or producers want". Fxck no, that wouldn't be Wu Tang. Yeah, Rae-Ghost are sayin' things about Rza and the record. But man, WHY DON'T YOU, WU TANG FAN, LISTEN TO THE RECORD WITH OPEN MIND. YES, its a difficult record. It may take many times until you get the essence of the song, but man, it is rewarding. THIS AIN'T NO COMMERCIAL SHXT LIKE 50 CENT, THIS IS UNAFRAID CHALLENGING HIP HOP. BEWARE.
Almost every song is great, AND especially the non-us version, wich has 16th chamber odb special. it's odb, you know it's essencial, besides Tar Pit featuring the immortal funkateer of all time, George Clinton. Get that version at amazon.co.uk or whatever. (.. and man, I'm glad it didnt included "watch you mouth" because I must admit, didn't like the song one bit. I think Everything here is way way better than that song, IMO)
Amazing record, amazingly creative beats, very diverse, dark, funky. Some said it lacked the "in-your-face" attitude. I don't think its true. But you have to set your mind in a different mood. Twist you mutherfuxkin mind. Because this shxt is twisted, brilliant. This kind of record keeps hip hop alive.
Light a big fat joint, and let the 8 diagrams explain itself. If you don't like it then bring some meth, light another big fat joint and listen to it again. It will be one of your favorite Wu Tang joints. But don't download it, buy the record. Wu Tang deserve it. 50 cent and "others" don't. We want Wu Tang in ripping the charts once again. Show the people why "Wu Tang is the best".
Cheers, Wu Tang!!! Wu fuxkin did it again.
WU TANG FOREVER!!!!!!!!
Free Music Review: Grown Man Music
Hit: 5 Stars
After reading the mediocre reviews, hearing Raekwon and Ghostface disown the album, and seeing the mostly negative discussion regarding 8 Diagrams on message boards, I was prepared to be disappointed. I bought the album anyway because I love Wu-Tang, but my expectations were low.
So I came home, put it in the stereo, and prayed it wasn't too depressingly bad. I had no idea what I was in store for. The production on this album is simply incredible from start to finish. People have been calling it experimental...no, no. RZA's arrangement of somber chants, cascading guitars, rolling pianos, weeping violins, and ominous samples on this album is deliberate. He knows what he's doing, and he does it very well. The sound is dark and threatening, and beats switch up fluidly yet unpredictably. Anyone who really understands music will at least appreciate what RZA has accomplished, if not fall in love with it. I haven't been this excited upon first hearing an album since Stillmatic.
My biggest worry was based on people's complaints about the singing on this album. Let me say this: I HATE R&B hooks on Hip Hop songs with a passion. "Back Like That" was the worst song on Fishscale in my opinion. But the singing on 8 Diagrams fits the mood perfectly. It adds to the atmosphere without sounding corny or over the top.
This is grown man music, and I suspect this album is poorly received because too many people are expecting another 36 Chambers. That's what RZA tried with Iron Flag, and we saw how that worked out. Rae's complaint was that the fans are looking for punch-you-in-the-face music. This is creep-in-the-night-and-steal-your-soul music. Besides, I can't think of anything more punch-you-in-the-face than Unpredictable, and Inspectah Deck absolutely destroys that track with a verse reminiscent of his legendary Triumph break-out. Speaking of lyrics, all the members come correct here...even U-God is in top form. If 8 Diagrams is the last album from Wu-Tang Clan, which in all likelihood it is, it is the perfect closing chapter to their legacy, and a testament to the musical genius of RZA. Bong bong!