A Better Tomorrow - Wu-Tang Clan

This is the first Wu-Tang album in over seven years. Yes, it came out last month, but I've been listening to it and think I can do an accurate review of it now. This is also my second Wu-view. I was kind of excited for this, thought when you get excited for a group that's been around for while sometimes it's disappointing. Something that made me less cynical for this album was that Mandatory Fun was excellent and that Ruckus In B Minor was great also. Also I thought it was pretty cool to find out Adrian Younge's band played on some of these tracks. For the sake of being redundant I'm gonna leave the RZA produced tracks blank, in terms of reference. But I figured get this done, and also do the Panda Bear one, and maybe Marilyn Manson's new album.

1. Ruckus In B Minor: This opens the album and was co-produced with Rick Rubin. Lately he's been doing a great job on tracks he's been making. The thing is he's not new. He's been at least producing since 1986's Reign In Blood and producing hip-hop since the Beastie Boys. I really like how ODB was sampled for this track, and he doesn't really sounds sampled. I also like how the band in the back plays so hard, and the Wu go just as hard. I also love that rotor organ sound that plays behind RZA's part where he kind of reminds me a little of I Can't Go To Sleep. It's very much so a stretch, but he just does the way he's angry sounding. Also the whole chorus with the arpeggios and the keys it's so fricken great. The only bad part is I don't dig the edit that has the song stop then start again. That could have segued together better. And not right before RZA's part, I mean when it completely stops. At least the earlier part the was someones voice filling the silence.I do like how it sounds like it's getting played backwards too. It's overall a great track.
2. Felt: I mean this track sounds like they sampled Peeping Tom, even down to the vocals in the track. Not the rapping, the backing vocals (so to say). This just ins't really a track I care for very much.
3. 40th Street Black / We Will Fight: Produced by Mathematics, with a co-producer credit to RZA. This track really is kind of disappointing. Okay look, this might not be looking very bright for this record. Keep that mind mind, that I said that. It's actually kind of funny I mention Al in the opening paragraph, this song sounds like a school fight song they sampled. You know kind of like Sports Song. I don't dig these horns, I mean I think they rap pretty good, but the horns and the music and the whole RZA chorus thing just keeps me out of the track. Also I was proud that I picked up on the Shaft Theme sample in this track, though second and third time through I couldn't hear it again. I didn't pick up on the Liquid Swords sample.
4. Mistaken Identity: The beginning of this track kinds of reminds me a little of Frank Ocean. I'm also really diggin' the instrumentation choice in this track. The vamp is pretty solid. While I'm not in love with it, I still dig it. Also love the Echoes-esque guitar, and the organ in this. I also like how the melody changes a little for each MC's part. That's how you make a great track, you don't over do the same thing over and over till it's at nausea. I do enjoy this track and I can tell the more I listen the more I like it. This track made up for the last track. {7/10}
5. Hold The Heater: I've heard this opening before, not exactly the intro, but the sample sounds like something I can't quite remember right now. You know, I don't know, this track isn't that bad. I think the more I listen to it the more I'll like it because it has potential. I'm digging the flows and the drums on this track. The only thing is that thing that sounds like a zip-zip-zip thing. But you know that might grow on me. No Love Deep Web did. Not crazy about that "bonus track" type ending. I know they did that in the past, but I didn't like the way the guitar sounded, or say was mixed.
6. Crushed Egos: This track has a co-producer credit to Younge, and thee main is RZA. This is a terrible thing. I hate having my ego crushed. I like the way the song opens, it reminds me of 36 Chambers. This is another solid track that I think takes multiple listens to fully get.
7. Keep Watch:  This was produced by Mathematics. This is another solid track that I actually enjoy, I mean it's a little repetitive, but it hasn't gotten old yet. There's a part, toward the end of the first verse where he says "damn". It reminds me a lot of Eminem like on Love Game or something like that. Whatever. I like the way GZA sounds on this track. This is a pretty good track though. I just don't have a ton to say about it.
8. Miracle: Produced  by 4th Disciple, and co-producer credit to RZA. This is the controversial, or the laughed at song, on this album. I think it's a pretty good song, with the exception of maybe the chorus. You know I don't think this song is all that bad. I mean seriously, skip that chorus and it's a hard hitter. Yes it is a little long, but I still think it's a pretty decent track. If the hook wasn't repeated so many times maybe. Also I like the whole slowed down more industrial version of it towards the end.
9. Preacher's Daughter: The weird thing about this is the hook quotes one of my favorite songs ever. I'm not kidding, just about any version of the song I like. Nancy's, Dusty's and so on. This is actually, minus the kind of hilarious rewording of the famous chorus, an awesome track. I really think everyone does a great job here and this whole track is so solid. Once I realized what the hook was saying I had to laugh. This shows that they aren't all that bad. They can still make some solid tracks.
10. Pioneer of the Frontier: This track samples Mr. Sandman by Method Man and two track from 36 Chambers, Protect Ya Neck and Da Mystery of Chestboxin'. See this bring to mind that whole call back, full circle thing that makes this a perfect last album. I think this might be a little cluttered, but I still like it. This is a very large sounding thing, it also sounds heavy, but I think it a little too slow. Maybe if it was a little shorter.
11. Necklace: The second and last 4th Disciple producer credit. I'm not huge on this track, but I like how it kind of tells a story. This sounds like a sonic continuation of the last track. Kind of cluttered, its slow, and sounds heavy. Not like heavy metal, just like it's bloated. I also think that intro sound clip was played a few too many times. Kind of like the hook in Miracle.
12. Ron O'Neal: This is an okay song. I mean I'm not huge on it, but I do think the organ in its cool and I like the guitars tone in this song, but for whatever reason it just doesn't click with me. The vocals on this track are by far my biggest problem, and it says they're sung by Nathaniel. Maybe it has to do with the fact I don't really like the movie, not music it's great, Super Fly. Shaft was all around better and all the Pam Grier movies have her in them, usually naked. So...... I think Assassination Day used the sample better. This track needs more energy to be great.
13. A Better Tomorrow: Love the intro with the beautiful piano. There is another track titled this from 1997's Wu-Tang Forever. To be honest, this is a great track and I dig the other one too. After the last track this is a huge change. This is a very happy song, not lyrically, but it just sounds so... they bring up a ton of problems and this music just makes it like "we can over come this". I also love how the song the sampled, Wake Up has to do with tomorrow. Waking up to a better tomorrow. I don't know, i feel like if someone was depressed and they listened to this song they'd feel comfort. Not just in terms of "this is happy" in terms of "a deeper comfort". Also love the "backwards" part, I kinda giggled. And like the "King" drop to kind to prelude the next track.
14. Never Let Go: The biggest down side is the almost minute long intro. This is a pretty "epic" track to follow that beautiful one. This track samples Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech in the intro. This, while it was intentional or not, reminds me of I Can't Go To Sleep. On that track they mention "Jessie" and "King" and what not. I do love the saxophones or horns in this track. Also dig the whole choir thing in the middle of the song.
15. Wu-Tang Reunion: Gather the children and have them listen up. With a track like this I hope this is the last Wu-Tang album. Why do I say such a thing, well... this is such a fricken great finale. Kind of like the final track on Sabbath's last album 13. That album ended with the rain, which was kind of like a call back to their first album. This album is a reunion of sorts for the whole group. The group that was so strong on their first album, and because of that , and the warm feeling you get from this track, I hope this is the last track the Wu-Tang make. I mean, I could cry it's a beautiful ending. Also this samples Family Reunion by the O'Jays and Protect Ya Neck and Reunited (a lyrical one) by da Wu and has a Raekwon sample Glaciers of Ice.

Overall I have to this this album a 7/10. While the album had highlights, they were also lowlights. I do hope this is the last album, not because it was horrible or because they'll never live up to it. I just feel like this is an appropriate final chapter.

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan

I first heard of the band from what I can remember is the Dave Chappelle skit where it's the race draft and they chose the Wu-Tang Clan to be Asian. I had no idea who they were. Then my cousin told me about RZA who did the soundtrack for my favorite movie ever KILL BILL VOL. 1, and from that he told me about the Gravediggaz and I went to listen to them and the first song I heard was 1800 Suicide the first time through I didn't like it. I didn't really like rap till after I got into Eminem last fall. Well my friend Jason said told me about the song Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing Ta F' Wit in that Harold and Kumar movie. So I re listened to it and loved it. Well then I only really liked that song and then someone in my guitar class told me about Protect Ya Neck and I've loved this album since. I recently listened to the album front to back and I often listen to various songs recreational. I really like the fact that they have that whole Chinese themes to it. I think it is pretty neat but what ever. This album was mainly produced by RZA with some other members

1. Bring Da Ruckus: This album is awesome most of the songs have intro with samples form old school karate movies. This song, with all the songs, make me want to play air drums. Though this isn't my favorite song I still think that the idea of Bringing Da Ruckus is a good way to start and album.
2. Shame On A Nigga: This is one of my favorite songs on the album. I think that this makes up for the first track. This sample beat in this song is awesome. I love how this is a very strong song. The first track is kind of a weak feeling to it. The beats of this song make it good. The raps flow on this more so than on Bring Da Ruckus. This songs is one of those songs on that album that makes me want to be good a rap and rhymes and have a rap group. I'm white so that ain't happening anytime soon. The lyrics are also more comical on this song. I kind of wish the songs was longer but whatever. It is still awesome.
3. Clan In Da Front: The bass sample on this track is pretty cool and is what makes me want to listen to this more. This also adds to the overall idea of feel of the album. After RZA's verse the song gets better. But that's only because the bee sample over takes his voice. I don't like that it's hard to hear his voice. I also think this song has an over all flow to it and the words just work. I think it's funny how he pretty much says, at a part in the song, the they are so good you shit your pants. I also really like the cheer. you know the one "Wu, Wu, Wu, Wu"
4. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber: This song starts with the with a skit. I think that the skit is pretty funny "Is he fucking dead... There is fuckin', fuckin' all types of blood" they are arguing and I just think that that is so funny. When the beat starts it just works. This song seems like another song that has that fun feel to it with them all taking turns rapping and free styling. I could picture the songs like this they are in front of people underground, in like a club or something, and taking turns trying to out do each other. I guess like a rap battle.
5. Can It Be All So Simple/Intermission: The song also starts with another skit that seems like they are post the rap battle and they are getting ready for a new one. The sample beat of this song is one that sounds kind of R&B ish. This kind of reminds me of a group take on something off The Weeknd's first mixtape. This song has a feel of like it is very meaningful until I think when Ghostface Killa comes in and is very aggressive with his verses. But after his verse it goes back to that meaning full R&B feel to it with the chorus. The intermission of this song seems like it is an interview of and them talking about their style and their album. This sounds like it is recorded on the radio. I love the fact that they did this. It is so different. I've never heard anything like this, them giving them selves a fake interview and putting in at the end of a song. It actually reminds me of the first disk of The Beatles 1994 Box set Anthology 1 except that was a compilation. That wasn't originally the way they released this track... you know.
6. Da Mystery of Chessboxin': This is a good way to come back after this "interview". This seems like this is a song that they are playing on the radio. This song is pretty much as strong as almost any other song. The one thing is that the samples on this song aren't loud enough. There feels like there is too much space. Ol' Dirty Bastard you never let me down on this album. After your verse, during Ghostface Killa's verse, it begins to fill that open space. I just love how you are like insane. I also really like the keyboard Chinese feel the backing beat has.
7. Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing Ta F' Wit: This is the first song I heard. At first I didn't like it but it really grew on me. This song is so quotable. I have done different verses, not just the chorus. This song is really like a song that they work together and they pull it off. This seems like more of one that isn't a battle. This seems like this song was very worked out proving that you shouldn't "Fuck Wit" the Wu. And if I'm not mistakes this is the first track on side 2. If I'm right that makes it only that much better.
8. C.R.E.A.M.: I really am not a huge fan of this song. It isn't really that amazing of a feel to continue after the build up from track 7. I really don't have much to say about this. I think it's ok but I don't really like it that much.
9. Method Man: This makes up for C.R.E.A.M. because the intro skit is pretty much them competing to see who is willing to be more brutal to their bitch. I also like how it flows. When verses start I love the beat in the background. This is another fun song. I also think that the Fat Albert reference is pretty funny. I really like how this is like Method Man's time to star. I really like this song and this song flows into my favorite song on the album. I also like how it sounds like he is choking on smoke towards the end. And how the beat goes one.
10. Protect Ya Neck: The over the radio phone call is just sick. The beat in this song is amazing. This song is even more quotable then Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit. This is another songs where it's like they are having a rap battle in this album. The lyrics are very cleaver on this song and I very much so like them. And I love when Ol' Dirty Bastard swears it has like a censor to it. That beat is sick and it is continued with Ghostface Killah and after that. It seems like it is because it is on the radio. So they have to censor it. This song is just so perfect
11. Tearz: This song starts with them having a fight and it seems like they are sad someone died. This song's chorus beat is so pretty. This song, as I take it, is the story of how they killed the guy that I'm guessing who the Tearz are cried over. The song is just so pretty and seems emotional. I feel bad about this guy who died. The key beat makes it catchy and the sample from After Laughter (Comes Tears) kind of brings tears. I think that this is a really good way to end an album.
12. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber-Part II: This is like the epilogue. This is the last rap and it seems like this is kind of a build up to the end. I love how they sampled their own song that was earlier on the album Clan In Da Front. This is pretty much like one last ending and and it's a last chance to say goodbye and wrap up everything. I really like how another radio interview type feel is after the song.

Overall I liked this album 9/10. It is really good and has quotable parts to it. I really think that this album is a important one to my music taste and views on Rap/Hip-hop. If it weren't for the Wu I'd probably never of wanted to check out Danny Brown, or The Weeknd or anyother underground hip-hop i learned about via Needledrop. Check him out. He's good at what he does, better than me, and his is really cool. He responds if you tweet him.