8 Diagrams

by

Wu-Tang Clan

Edit

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!

I was so mad when I heard this CD. I really really wanted to love it...in fact after hearing the first track which is a definite new chamber based on Meth and Ghost alone the rest of the CD doesn't flow right and fails to capture interest.

There are moments of Wu-Tang of past like the amazing opener where Meth and Ghost rip the track the shreads while Cappadonna bombs.

That's the problem with this album...half the beats need more tweaking while the other half of the klansmen need to wake up...

Meth...rips every song he raps on like he's holding a will rap for food sign

Ghost does the same as Meth

Rae...sounds like he's half asleep in all of his rhymes since immobilarity???!!! Why I have no idea

Rebel INS...biggest let down...he used to show hunger like MEth and Ghost but now he's so/so

GZA....almost there but doesn't quite hit the spot anymore like on Liquid swords

RZA...he's not bad with his rhymes but a few tracks could have been left off the album production wise...the CD didn't flow well like the last few ones and I'm holding him partially responsible

U-God/Masta Killa don't know what to say....other than come again