Tical

by

Method Man

Edit

Everyone waited after hearing the Enter the Wu album. Everyone waited to see what would come next. Never before had hip hop seen a group so filled with talent and promise made up of so many different members. 2 years later, they got Tical.

This album picked up right where Enter the Wu left off, further developing the Wu-Tang style of beats and rhymes. Method Man had established himself as a standout talent on the Enter the Wu album and people knew they would be hearing and seeing a lot more of him. This album delivered the first legitimate solo installment for the Wu. No one who listens to hip hop and who owned this album doesn't have a feeling that is brought back when they hear this album. I was in high school when this album dropped and hearing it brings me back to that time each time I hear it.

The production is amazing: grimey and live. The rhymes are staggering. It's the perfect mixture of style and attitude.

A classic, this album kicked off the solo ventures of the Wu-members that would span the next decade.

Upon first listen, Method Man's solo debut "Tical" may disappoint Wu-Tang Clan fans used to the raucous beats and crazed delivery on most of the tracks from Wu-Tang's "Enter the 36 Chambers."

It actually took me a few listen to understand how great this album is.

Imagine Wu-Tang Clan slowed down, thrown beneath a haze of tical, as Method Man unleashes his demons. "Tical" is the soundtrack of a man's soul crying out against the wickedness and social plagues that hamper his community.

The beats and sounds are suitably murky. It's more of a probing albums which gets you thinking as Meth rhymes over mostly non-commercial, raw and spare RZA creations.

The effect is haunting, blunt and eerie. When listening to it, it's the aural version of digging deep into the earth looking for reasons and truth and unearthing many demons and much pain.

The songs flow one right into another.

A complete left turn from the Wu-Tang style most of us were used to.

Not an easy listen, requires more mental focus and listening than your average Wu-Tang jam that flies by at the speed of light with spit-fire rhymes.

An intelligent release by Meth, who took a turn away from the commercial path to make a simmering album that won't find many fans, but will remain in many collections until it's dusty and old like the records of old.

fight on,

mykal roze