July 26, 2002

 
It's Wu, Motherfuckers. Wu-Tang, Motherfuckers.

There's a chance that the Barbelith Underground may be shutting down, and so I'm going to keep a copy of the Wu-Tang discography buying guide that I wrote in a thread on the site back in December here on Fluxblog. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and so I don't really want to lose it. I did make a few minor changes, wrote an updated caption for Iron Flag, and took back a few things that I don't agree with anymore.

ESSENTIAL WU-TANG ALBUMS

Wu-Tang Clan
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
This is the classic. I consider it the best hip hop LP ever, along with Biggie's Ready To Die. I love this record so much that I don't even know what to say about it. It's a time, it's a place, it's a feeling. It's nine very talented guys who are hungry and desperate to make you believe in them as much as they believe in themselves. Highlights: "7th Chamber", "Can It Be All So Simple", "C.R.E.A.M.", "Shame On A Nigga", "Bring The Ruckus", and "M.E.T.H.O.D. Man"

Ghostface Killah
Supreme Clientele
The big Wu "comeback" album...this record has a power and magesty to it that will just knock you out, it's like one long pimp strut of an album. Ghostface is at his best, his lyrics are like barrages of images and ideas, it seems like gibberish and nonsense, but it's not. It's just jam-packed and nonlinear. He's the ultimate Wu MC, he embodies all of the best things about the Wu as lyricists, I think. This record is just amazing, and relentless. RZA, GZA, Method Man, Redman, Raekwon, U-God, etc all make great appearances too. Highlights: "Child's Play" "Nutmeg" "Apollo Kids" "Buck 50" "The Grain"

GZA/The Genius
Liquid Swords
This record is hardcore Wu, it's dark and grimey and melancholy, but with none of the sentimentality that Ghostface or Method Man are prone to indulge in. It sounds like it was recorded in black and white, out of focus, and under poor lighting conditions. Highlights: "Liquid Swords" "Swordsman" "Livin' In The World Today" "Labels" "Duel of the Iron Mic"

Ol' Dirty Bastard
Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
ODB is like the hip hop Syd Barrett, a charismatic madman with a unique and inspired weirdness and a gift for odd phrasing. This record is so much fun, but in a filthy, bizarre sort of way. ODB has an ability to seem like a total loon, but also draw you into his insanity and soon you start to understand his internal logic. This record is fantastic from beginning to end, and there's not much of anything quite like it. Highlights: "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" "Brooklyn Zoo" "Harlem World" "Don't U Know" "Damage"

Raekwon The Chef
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
This is an amazingly influential record - multiple MC aliases, hip hop posses as mafia, the obsession with Cristal, etc...it all begins here. It's dense, it's dark, it only occasionally makes obvious sense. This is a great example of Wu lyrics feeling a bit like a half-filled in crossword puzzle, or a document with every few words blacked out. Top notch. Highlights: "Glaciers of Ice" "Ice Cream" "Heaven & Hell" "Incarcerated Scarfaces" "Criminology" "Wu Gambinos"

Wu-Tang Clan
The W
The Wu return shortly after Supreme Clientele with the second part of a one-two punch. This record has a strong feeling of melacholy throughout, save for the single "Gravel Pit" which is an ace party tune. It's very dub, it's a bit Memphis soul and a little bit Kingston raggae. It's got a very spare sound to it, very fragile. On one track, you've got Ghostface nearly breaking down, mock crying while rhyming. Don't listen to this if you're in a good mood. Highlights: "I Can't Go To Sleep" "Careful (Click, Click)", "Hollow Bones" "The Jump Off", "Jah World" "Gravel Pit"

Method Man & Redman
Blackout!
An old friend of mine insisted that this record sounds like 50's rock and roll to him, and I can see the analogy he's making in terms of vibe and feeling. This is fun, fun, fun album...the best party record affiliated with the Wu. Redman is a perfect rhyme partner for Method Man, their chemistry is undeniable. Highlights: "How High?" "Checka" "1,2,1,2" "Mi Casa" "Big Dogs" "Da Rockwilder" "Cereal Killer"

RECOMMENDED WU-TANG ALBUMS

Wu-Tang Clan
Iron Flag
Keeping it strong a year after The W, Iron Flag sounds like a deliberate attempt to re-capture the sound of 36 Chambers. It's not unsuccessful, but it misses the mark slightly. The record has some very high points, though - "Rules" is a catchy number with Ghostface weighing in on 9/11 with a verse that is strangely diplomatic in spite of threatening the guys "behind the World Trade massacre", and commanding "Mr. Bush" to " sit down, I'm in charge of the war!". There's some minor innovation in the Wu sound on this record, mostly in the form of an increased emphasis on turntablism. Inspectah Deck dominates this record with a rhyme on nearly every track, and U-God shines on "Soul Power" and "Uzi (Pinky Ring)", and Masta Killa steals "Iron Flag/The Glock" - in some ways, this is the Wu album where the more underrated Wu MCs are allowed to show off. The only major mis-step on this album is the dreadful, sloppy "Chrome Wheels" which is pretty much a weak Bobby Digital outtake stuck in the middle of a Wu album. Highlights: "Rules", "Uzi (Pinky Ring)", "Soul Power", "In The Hood", "Y'all Been Warned" "Iron Flag/The Glock".

Wu-Tang Clan
Wu Tang Forever
This record could be one of the best Wu albums were it not soooooo looooong, and were there no filler tracks with no Wu members on them. The RZA does not produce the whole thing, and it's painfully obvious which ones he did and didn't do. The best tracks stand among the best and weirdest Wu tracks out there, and the rest range from mediocre to painful to hear. Highlights: "Reunited" "For Heaven's Sake" "Triumph" "It's Yourz" "Deadly Melody" "Cash Still Rules" "Dog Shit" "Duck Seazon" "A Better Tomorrow" "As High As Wu-Tang Get"

The RZA
Ghost Dog soundtrack (Japanese version)
This may be hard to come by, but it's worth it: mostly RZA's instrumental score for the film, there's just a lot of really interesting stuff here...from RZA's takes on different music genres ("Free Jazz", "Funk") to some vocal tracks not available in the US ("Wu World Order").

Method Man
Tical 2000 : Judgement Day
Another fun record from Meth, but has waaaaaaaaaay too much filler and skits for its own good. This record could be trimmed down to a 12 song LP and be one of the strongest Wu records ever, but as it is, it's diluted and in the middle of the pack. Highlights: "Torture" "Cradle Rock" "Retro Godfather" "Spazzola" "Elements"

Ghostface Killah
Ironman
Another great album from the 95/96 period. It is a bit like a lesser version of Cuban Linx, but certainly holds its own. This records is at its best when it's sentimental, notably "All I've Got Is You", which is a box-of-tissues worthy tearjerker. Also notable is the strange, psychedelic album closer, "Marvel". Other highlights: "Camay" "Daytona" "260" "Wildflower"

Ghostface Killah
Bulletproof Wallets
Another solid LP from Ghostface, who is certainly the Wu MC least likely to release a weak record. If this record came after Ironman, I'd be more impressed, but after Supreme Clientele, this is a drop off, and is uneven and less remarkable by comparison. Still, there are some very solid songs here. Highlights: "Strawberries" "Theodore" "Maxine" "Street Chemistry"

MIDDLING OR VERY UNEVEN WU ALBUMS

RZA
RZA As Bobby Digital In Stereo
This record defines uneven.some of the finest and most interesting Wu tracks ever appear here, but get lost among some very uninspired tracks and skits. Too long for its own good, certainly. Still, very worthwhile for the brilliant "NYC Everything" Other highlights: "Kiss of the Black Widow" "HOLOCAUST" "B.O.B.B.Y." "My Lovin' Is Digi" and "Bobby Did It"

Method Man
Tical
Some people really love this LP, but I think it's fairly dull (which is an odd adjective for Method Man, trust me) and a bit too murky. Some great songs here, though: "Release Yo Delf" "Meth Vs. Chef" "Stimulation" and "All I Need" (though the remix by Puffy with Mary J Blige is a lot better)

RZA
Ghost Dog soundtrack (US version)
Mostly a collection of tracks by Wu affiliates and proteges, this record has its ups and downs, but the Masta Killa solo tune "The Man" and RZA's tune with Kool G Rap "Cakes" are top notch. The Wu Tang Clan song ("Fast Shadow") here is pretty average, but does have a good verse by Ol Dirty.

Ol Dirty Bastard
Nigga Please
Now, I know some folks really love this LP, but I think it's fairly throwaway... it's an amusing novelty, but not that much more. "Got Your Money" steals the show, and is pure Neptunes magic. Other highlights: "I Want Pussy" "Good Morning Heartache" "All In Together Now".

U-God
Golden Arms Redemption
Surprisingly good LP by one of the Wu underdog MCs. The LP isn't really much to write home about, but it is solid, which counts for a lot. Highlights: "Bizarre" "Rumble" "Glide" "Shell Shock"

GZA/The Genius
Beneath The Surface
This record comes very close to being in the 'not recommended' category, but some decent tunes ("Crash Your Crew" "Beneath The Surface" "Breaker Breaker" "Swordplay") salvage an otherwise depressingly bad album.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Inspectah Deck
Uncontrolled Substance
I still have not recovered from the disappointment of this album. You'd think "wow, Deck rules. His solo LP will be great!" but no, that's not true. It's just so boring and weak. "Movas and Shakas" is an excellent tune, but that is it. Sigh.

Raekwon
Immobilarity

RZA
Digital Bullet

Just don't bother with these two - there's really nothing nice to say about either of them.