November 9, 1993
BMG Music
Loud/RCA
Chart Positons/Awards
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest albums of all time No. 386
Rolling Stone 3.5/5 Stars
The Billboard 200 No. 41
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 8
Q Magazine's Greatest Albums No. 85
The Clan
Method Man
Ol' Dirty Bastard
The Rza
U-God
Raekwon
Ghostface Killah
The Gza
Rebel INS
Tracks
1) Bring Da Ruckus
2) Shame On A Nigga
3) Clan In Da Front
4) Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
5) Can It Be All So Simple
Intermission
6) Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'
7) Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit
8) C.R.E.A.M.
9) Method Man
10) Protect Ya Neck
11) Tearz
12) Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II
13) Method Man (Remix) Skunk Mix *Bonus Track*
Conclusion
Singles Released
Protect Ya Neck
Can't It Be All So Simple
C.R.E.A.M
Da Mystery of Cheesboxin'
You don't get rap music like this anymore! This is the kind of material that leaves 50 Cent sounding like Britney Spears.
When the critically acclaimed debut from the Clan burst onto the scene, it changed everything. Before, you had gangster rap on the westside of America while on the east you had Def Jam's elite of LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Run DMC etc. Rap was slowly becoming more maintream and widely accepted. Then in 1993, this comes out. Unlike other artists at the time, this wasn't sampling funk records like other artists were. This was dirty and dark and in my opinion marked the start of Hardcore Rap.
The first thing you notice is how raw the tracks sound. It almost sounds as if it's a live recording it's so raw. This doesn't take anything away from the record though, it's probably my favourite thing about the album as it adds to it's eerieness. The rhyme skills are also top drawer with couplets like -
Quote:
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"Throw your shitty drawers in the hamper, next time come strapped with a fucking pamper"
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Method Man and Ol' Dirty Bastard shine through with their original style but all eight members of the Clan are on form here. I can't speak highly enough of this record, you'll never hear anything like it again and only get's better with time. Maybe it's not for everyone but if you like alternative, rap or dark music then I seriously recommend you give it a try. One of, if not the greatest rap record of all time.
1. Bring Da Ruckus (4:10)
Starts with a quote from a martial arts movie and seeps into the dark laid back groove. Showcases what the rest of the album has ahead with strange chamber music like beats. The chorus is the songs highlight with the chant of - "Bring the muthafu
ckin Ruckus!". A gloomy start to a gloomy album. Superb
5/5
2. Shame On A Nigga (2:57)
The introduction of Ol' Dirty Bastard which alone, adds a great contrast from the last song. A more upbeat track with an awesome groove combined with some more sadistic sounding areas. The shortest song on the album but defintley one of the best.
5/5
3. Clan In Da Front (4:33)
A simple but pounding bass line sets the groove with some dark chants. The song then starts with some solid rhymes with most of the Clan involved. Again very dark and dirty but nothing ground breaking. A good album track
3/5
4. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber (6:05)
Starts with a humorous skit about someone being shot. At first you think this is going to be an upbeat track until the shaolin chimes kick in. More raw and solid rapping over Rza's dark beats. There's not really a chorus to this song but more of a "pass the mic" feel to it. Another decent track but not really anything special.
3/5
5. Can It Be All So Simple (6:53)
Really laid back and relaxed. Marks a break in the hardcore rap beats and introduces a woman vocalist for the first time. A great track although I need to be in a certain mood to really appreciate it.
3.5/5
6. Da Mystery Of Chessboxin' (4.48)
"A game of chess is like a sword fight" opens the track. Has a more ferocious and vicious feel than the earlier tracks and gives ODB a large section. Feels more like a song than a lot of the other songs with it's chorus and verse structure. Great track
4/5
7. Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nutin Ta Fuck Wit (3:36)My favourite track on the album. Really powerful and aggresive, this grabs your attention instantly with it's groove and ferocious rhymes. "Wu Tang Clan aint nutin ta fu
ck wit!".
5/5
8. C.R.E.A.M (4:12)
Probably the track that'd appeal to the most people. A sampled track with Raekwon rapping about hard times. A really strong track with a solid chorus. Still very dark but would easily make it's way onto the radio.
5/5
9. Method Man (5:50)
"I'll fu
cking pull your fu
cking tongue out" claims Method Man as he talks of different ways he's going to torture you. A whole song just for Meth to showcase his skill. Probably the catchiest song on "36 Chambers" and acts as an entry for Meth to produce a solo career.
5/5
10. Protect Ya Neck (4:52)
The first song they released, although in my opinion, far from the best. More dark rapping and beats that deliver slightly better than earlier tracks such as "Clan in Da Front" and "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber". I think all the members rap on this one and is the first time you really hear U-God's distinctive voice. A rap classic that probably isn't as good as it's made out to be.
4/5
11. Tearz (4:17)
For some reason I always forget about this song. I don't know why as it's awesome. Very different to the other tracks with it's nursery rhyme like groove. The content is quite somber, rapping about losing a close friend and asking why. Another really good song.
4/5
12. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II (5:08)
A really groovy track with the same ideas as the first part. Excels the first easily. There are a lot of the same lines but you don't realise as the beat is so different. More upbeat and rhythmic than everything else. A great way to end a great album
4/5
13. Method Man (remix) Skunk Mix (3:12) *Bonus Track*
Just a remix of the original. Just as good and not that much different really. Still gets full marks.
5/5
Just do yourself a favour and go out and buy this album. Im a big Wu-Tang fan so maybe im slightly biased but this is rap at it's best. Nelly and Twista fans stay away this how it was ment to be! An album that no CD collection should be without. Enjoyable from start to finish and one of my favourite albums of all time. Fuc
kin' Genius
5/5
:cool:
