If you aren’t familiar with the 8 Diagrams Controversy, go read up on it. I am not here to tell you about it, however, I will tell you that the controversy is the reason why this album was created, and why you will notice that the RZA did not produce a single song on this album.
Now, Raekwon just put out Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Part II and it was amazing. So hopefully he can keep it up for this album….
1. Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (10)
Just watch the video
Nuff Said.
2. Every Soldier in the Hood (7)
Solid. Rae does his thing and Method Man puts in a good verse. Nothing wrong with this song at all, but nothing too special about it.
3. Silver Rings (9)
The high rating is due to the fact that this beat is awesome and the song is short and sweet. I think if it was over 2 minutes it probably would get stale. Some songs are like that. The Ghosface + Rae combo makes its first appearance on the album which def helps since they both kill it.
Side note, Rae promises OB4CL3 coming…..
4. Chop Chop Ninja (10)
At first I didn’t like the Estelle chorus. But after a few listens and catching myself singing it around the house I have realized it is awesome. Rae kills his verses and the Rebel INS puts in a good verse of his own. I absolutely LOVE this beat. The kung fu kicking and punching sounds are integrated into the beat, which, of course, gives any Wu-stan great joy.
This also reminds me…. There are a shit load of Kung-Fu samples on this album and I haven’t been talking about them. More about that in the end I guess.
5. Butter Knives (8)
The first single off the album. I am having no luck finding where this kung-fu sample is from, but I really like the beat. Rae is pretty much like his old self on this track, which is nasty.
6. Snake Pond (10)
I FUCKING LOVE THIS BEAT. This song is crazy. It consists of a nasty Asian sounding beat and Rae in story telling mode (which we all know is insane).
7. Crane Style (9)
Another awesome Asian sounding beat, mixed with a little African drums. Busta Rhymes actually puts in a good verse, which is surprising to me, because recently he has been garbage. Regardless, keeping up the Asian beats and kung-fu samples will make this an amazing album.
8. Rock ‘N Roll (8)
The hip-hop purist in me REALLY wants me to give this song a don’t bother. It’s clearly an attempt to get on the radio. I mean autotune in the chorus and Jim Jones? However, it’s actually a pretty catchy chorus, and Ghostface murders this beat. Jim Jones isn’t bad at all, but I really don’t care for him.
9. Rich & Black (9)
The instrumental and quote make me pretty confident that this song was left over from Nas’ latest album “Untitled.” Luckily I loved that album, and I love this song. Nas abuses this beat (it sounds like it was meant for him anyways) and Rae def holds his own. I REALLY wish that Nas was able to appear on OB4CL2, and I am assuming that he will appear on the third one. I am also sure that everyone who knows me had to know I would love this song just by seeing that its Raekwon Feat. Nas.
10. From the Hills (9)
Featuring Method Man and Raheem DeVaughn, this song is so chill. I could listen to this beat all day and just relax. Method Man also has a couple of hilarious lines, including the use of the word “Niggeritis” and “if you are what you eat and eat pussy you a cannibal.” Solid Indeed.
11. Last Trip to Scotland (7)
Well, Lloyd Banks helps prove that he is the only member of G-Unit that has an ounce of talent and holds his own. Rae throws down some storytelling on a decent beat. Overall, a pretty good song.
12. Ferry Boat Killaz (6)
Apparently killing people on Ferry boats is a more serious problem then I thought. I’ve been on some ferry boats in my time, and I don’t remember even being threatened. I also was on a ferry boat and saw the slums of Shaolin. Luckily there were no ferry boat killaz on that endeavor. Most likely because The Alchemist wasn’t there, because if he was, I would prolly turn into a ferry boat killa, because this beat sucks (GREAT segue).
13. Dart School (6)
This song bores me, but is fine for background music. NEXT.
14. Molasses (6)
Rick Ross?? REALLY??? Luckily Rae and Ghost make this song tolerable. However, I’m still bored.
15. The Scroll (8)
I am no longer bored. I will tell you that much. Also, that whistle or whatever in the background sounds like it is from Avatar (the show, not the POS live action movie) but I can not confirm this. Regardless, LOVING the beat and more storytelling from the Chef. Exactly what the doctor ordered (how much do you hate that I just used that phrase? UGH its brutal).
16. Masters of Our Fate (7)
A heaver, deeper instrumental and a great verse from Raekwon and a very respectable verse from Black Thought. Honestly I have no idea who he is, but hes pretty good. Not the strongest song ever, but good.
17. Wu Chant (Outro)
If you ever wondered what goes on in my head just listen to this outro. People chanting “WU TANG WU TANG” and the music from one of the greatest scenes in movie history. From one of the greatest movies of ALL TIME (#4 on the IMDB list).
Embedding disabled by request, but if you don’t click that link you are an asshole and you should probably movie to Russia.
Also, how GREAT is the soundtrack from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly??? Seriously amazing.
Final Thoughts:
I miss the RZA. Any member of the Wu is at their best with RZA producing, however, there are a lot of awesome kung fu samples and kung fu beats to make the production on this album good. The story telling of Raekwon simply can not be beat (except by Slick Rick) and he put together a fantastic album. Obviously this is not as good as his OB4CL albums, but this is my third favorite Raekwon album. Assuming that all Wu-Stan’s already own this album, I recommend a purchase to all hip hop heads anywhere. This is good shit, and Rae seems to be the only member of Wu that is doing some good shit recently. Now, I simply CAN NOT WAIT for Liquid Swords 2. Speaking of the GZA, he was left off this album (which pisses me off) however, he IS on an iTunes bonus track. So let me review them as I listen to them for the first times ever.
18. Wu Crime (10)
WHY WAS THIS NOT ON THE ALBUM?!?!?! FUCK. GZA, Rae, and Killah Priest all murder their verses and the beat is awesome. Fuck you iTunes, looks like I will have to hunt this shit down.
19. Your World & My World (6)
Featuring Havoc. Whatever. I am going to sleep.
Until Next Time, OBALLER.
Fortunately for you you aren’t a hip hop ISSS, or you would have lost a lot of credibility with this one “a very respectable verse from Black Thought. I honestly have no idea who he is…”.
Black Thought is the rapper from The Roots…just a smidgen less important than
?uestlove in terms of their success, and he’s been steadily creeping into more and more Top10 GOAT lists.
Also, a phrase EASILY worse than “just what the doctor ordered” is “pet peeve”. Dumbest most annoying phrase ever.
I am actually embarrassed. However, I dont listen to The Roots at all. I have been meaning to listen to their albums but I haven’t had any time. They aren’t really on the top of my priorities list.