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by mark 10/27/2005, 10:03pm PDT |
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I like the GZA a lot. Other than Ghostface, he is probably the only member of the Wu-tang Clan who has managed to produce more than one good solo album. And here is a new 45 minute album (the perfect length) filled with chess referenced, produced by DJ Muggs. Despite it having been released on Tuesday, it doesn't seem to be in any actual record stores in my city. Of course, Oink has it.
Anyway, ignore the shitty opening track, and get to "Those That's Bout It" where Muggs does his absolutely best to channel the ghost of the RZA of wu albums past. Actually the first three or four tracks sound almost like they could be out-takes from Liquid Swords. It's got the staccato slightly detuned pianos, sped up soul samples, jagged and weirdly cut vocal snippets, just a hint of strings if only to acknowledge that there is a midrange, even if it is going to be largely ignored. It's not just a sonic retread though, it's a little more immediate -- it's not the frozen, barren moonscape of the prior album. Later things sound a little less RZAy and a little more classic Muggsian with screeches and simple guitar lines, but that's hardly a problem.
On the other hand, GZA doesn't really sound anything like he did on Liquid Swords. Instead of the endless, complex abstractions we have equally clever easily comprehended rhymes: from ODB: "His hand was in everything including some pussy/ from brazillian wax to the uncombed bushy," to those GOD DAMN SUCKA MCS "enemies crack like eggs and scramble." The track where he uses the name of every NFL team works much better than it sounds and, aside from the shared gimmick, is completely unlike "Labels."
Anyway, the album is great and stuff. You should probably buy/dl it. |
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