bigd99999's Full Review: Wu-Tang Forever [PA] by Wu-Tang Clan
When people think of legendary hip hop albums, such names as Midnight Marrauders, Illmatic, Ready to Die, The Chronic, Soul on Ice, Reasonable Doubt, and many others.... but of course... one name that is in EVERYBODY's list is the legendary Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The Nine Shaolin Emcees from Staten Island known as the Wu-Tang Clan invaded hip hop in 1993 with this album. Its incredibly new style of metaphoric, intelligent, street lyricism with dark and gritty, yet catchy instrumentals was never before heard and hip hop heads accepted them with open arms. After the release, the Wu-Tang split temporarily to release their solo efforts, in which most were either classics, or extremely good. At this time, fans were picking their favorites and thriving on this Wu sound, enjoying everything they put out, which was hot, but they awaited another group album. Finally, the event that all Wu-Tang Clan fans had awaited for 5 years, the reunion of a lifetime, as all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan were brought back together on the massive double disk Wu-Tang Forever, an often underrated, yet incredibly good, release.
The first notable change in Wu-Tang Forever and the magnificent Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is the production. Of course, Rza the Abbott still returns to give us his grimy, inventive, and dark instrumentals, however, he doesnt produce every single beat like he did on the Wu's debut. New producers 4th Disciple and True Master are introduced on Wu-Tang Forever. Both being apprentices of Rza, the gritty and grimy drum loops and changing basslines remain intact, same with the unique violins and samples, but their style is slighty different. They are not season veterans like Rza, but they still bring a good vibe to the album. Not to mention the biggest surprise in production, which is that Inspectah Deck actually produces a track.
Rza's change is not for the worse, or for the better, its just an alternate Wu sound, which isn't really annoying whatsoever. He does clean up his sound just a tad bit, giving us a less underground and grimy feeling, but there are still moments of dark Wu-moments. Rza finds himself going a bit more experimental, and expanding his repertoire beyond just dirty basslines and drums, we get many many more pianos, violins, and soul elements, which honestly give us a different, but nowhere bad sound whatsoever. I can see where some hardcore traditional Wu fans would not enjoy it, but i am also one of those fans, and i enjoyed it a whole lot. Its a nice change, even though it keeps its extremely dark atmosphere, which i enjoy. No "Bobby Digital" sounds on here at all. The Kung-Fu movie samples are virtually gone on Wu-Tang Forever, which is kind of sad in my opinion because i enjoyed them, but its ok because i still respect the hell out of his album, lyrically, and production-wise. Another thing I instantly notice is choruses. There are absolutely NO Choruses on this entire album, with the exeption of about two tracks. All we get here is purely raw, uncensored and real lyricism, what more can you ask for?
Led by the legendary "Triumph" lead single, Wu-Tang Forever sold 600,000 copies within the first week. Very rarely had a song like this been heard, and its legendary video (the greatest ever), led this album to be considered legendary. Many hip hop heads were dissapointed though, due to the fact that it wasn't equal to their debut. Its very difficult to top such a classic album, so i dont blame the Wu whatsoever. This album does indeed have a tiny ounce of filler and its not as perfect as Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but it is still a must-have album. Its not as complete as the first, but it is still the closest yet. Coming in at just about 2 hours of entertainment, not owning this solifies you're lack of hip hop intelligence. The Wu-Tang Clan finally prove that they will indeed, last FOREVER...
Track List & Rating (Disk 1)
1. Wu-Revolution (NOT RATED)
2. Reunited (******)
3. For Heaven's Sake f/ Cappadonna (*****)
4. Cash Still Rules / Scary Hours (*****)
5. Visionz (*****)
6. As High As Wu-Tang Get (****)
7. Severe Punishment (*****)
8. Older Gods (*****)
9. Maria f/ Cappadonna (****)
10. A Better Tommarow (*****)
11. It's Yourz (****)
The first real banger on Wu-Tang Forever is the fitting "Reunited". Rza, Gza, Method Man, and ODB, somewhat the cornerstones of the Wu-Tang Clan, all came together for this opening track. Rza laces the track with some whining violins, a deep traditional thumping bassline, and some drums. The violin changes throughout the song, giving us a very catchy feel to it, and the female vocals say it all Its Wu-Tang Mother F*cker. All members of the Wu drop incredibly ill verses, with Rza and Gza stealing the show, basically stamping down the fact that they have returned and are here to stay. Lyrically, every member of the Wu-Tang has drastically improved and are better than ever, specially ODB, who shocks us with extremely intelligent, yet raw lyricism, but of course, who can forget Gza:
Reunited, double LP, we're all excited
Struck a match to the underground, industry ignited
from metaphorical parables to fertilize the Earth
Wicked n*ggaz come, try to burglarize the turf
Scattin off soft-a** beats them n*ggaz rap happily
Tragically, that style, deter-iate, rapidly
Uncompleted missions, throwin your best known compositions
You couldn't add it up, if you mastered addition
Where I come from, gettin visual is habitual
De-mon-strate walkin on hot coal, in rituals
I splash the paint on the wall, it formed the mural
He took a look, saw the manifestation of it, was plural
Rza gives us a deeper and grittier, yet genius, instrumental on "For Heaven's Sake". The bassline is thumpingly loud, with a hi-hat drum loop, and some deep and dark violins and pianos, this is one of the best beats Rza has produced. The apocalyptic feel is perfect to rhyme over, specially for the Wu-Tang Clan. Besides the beat, the lyricism is top-notch, but what else did you expect, some of the best Wu lyricists rap on this track. Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna. At this point, Cappadonna was almost completely in the Clan, and he pops up a lot on this album, but this is his first joint on the CD, and he does a great job.
We've seen all of the Wu members rap so far, except of course, U-God, and the mafiosio lyricists Raekwon The Chef, and Ghostface Killah. Well have no fear, because on "Cash Still Rules / Scary Hours", we get Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man hitting us with a "sequel" to the legendary C.R.E.A.M.. Basically, the Wu-Tang take this track to give us a storytelling effort which goes off incredibly good. Raekwon gives us an amazing street narrative, and is backed up masterfully by Meth and Ghost. It seems like this could be a track pulled right out of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. 4th Disciple's instrumental is an amazingly addicting, gritty piano loop, deep bassline, and some synthesized samples. Though not as good as the original, this is another Wu Classic.
Inspectah Deck makes his production debut on "Visionz". On this track, the Wu elite give us a mix of graphic stories and street narratives, with a small ounce of braggadiocio. Inspectah Deck's production isn't up to Rza's level, but its amazingly good. He hits us with hard pianos, violins, and a simple drum / bass accompaniment. Masta Killa, Ghostface, and Inspectah Deck steal the track with the best, most lyrical verses, but Raekwon's is the most descriptive, and Meth's is just fun. Definetely an incredible highlight of the first disk.
ODB gives us the catchy and funny chorus on "As High as Wu-Tang Get". He does a great job on the chorus, but the verses are done by two lead Wu-Tang members: Gza the Genius and Method Man. Gza gives us his usual intelligent and descriptive verses as he vividly describes the views of a man who is high. Method Man gives us a much different type of rap, with more braggadiocio, straying away from the subject matter, but remaining with it at times. Yet another great track.
Rza returns to his age-old methods of sampling kung-fu movies with "Severe Punishment". We finally get to hear U-God on the mic, who is joined by Gza, Raekwon, Rza, and Masta Killa. This sounds like something right out of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Rza, Gza and Masta Killa give us the most lyrical of all the tracks, as they drop some amazing rhymes, but everybody annihilates the track. The instrumental is yet another memorable one, as we get a deep bassline and "spitting" drum loop, with a unique synthesized snare, low-key piano, and at times, a fast piano key accompaniment. Its genius, and Rza proves that production wise, he can NEVER fall off.
The age-old team of Raekwon and Ghostface reunite, this time with Gza, on "Older Gods". On this track, we get another glimpse into street life, as all three members of the Wu drop mafiosio and street poetry, loaded with metaphors and similes. The storytelling is top notch on here, as we get basically a view of whats in their heads, and Gza once again gives us something to remember, but then again, so do the others. The production is awesome, with driving piano keys and a thumping "double" bassline.
ODB, Cappadonna, and Rza join up on their tribute to women, a.k.a. b*tches on "Maria". ODB really shows us his hilarious improvement in lyricism, as he beautifully demonstrates a multi-syllable flow, rapping about the girl who gave him gonorhea, which was only spoken of on his debut album. Rza gets more intelligent, describing the sl*ttiness of the girl, in a very smart way. The track, though short, is awesome.
In "A Better Tomarrow" we are treated to yet ANOTHER PURE WU-TANG CLASSIC. On this track, we get introspective as the Wu-Tang Clan raps about their friends stuck in the projects and the ghettoes, telling them that there is hope as long as they dont give up. They basically go AGAINST drinking, and sex, intelligently saying that if you do it, you're children may suffer the same fate. The Wu-Tang gives us some of the most intelligent lyricism ive ever heard in my years of listening to rap music. The instrumental is extremely soulful, with a memorable piano loop, thumping bassline, and some faint violins and saxophones. I wish i could paste every single lyric from here, but sadly i cannot because there isn't enough room, and cause it would be too much to read, so ill just paste the one that hit me the most:
A voice cries from the wilderness of the North
A representation of the families that lost one
all victims of incarceration
Or other divisions of the family structure
Youths are injected with serums that leads
to skin irritations, babies being born with
disfigurations, experimentations
On their faces there bear world relations
of mothers that carry the pain
of blood stained streets where sisters mourn and wail
Fifth brothers been slain from hails of gun fire
It lightly begins to rain screams of terror
are hidden by the passing trains
This can't be little Hussein, his uncle cried
As he drops to his nephew's side, holding his cane
Just give me a name, of who has inflicted this
bitter sickness, and left us to witness
The Wu-Tang Clan end the first disc with a strong finish in "Its Yourz". Another braggadiocio street rhyme crew-joint with U-God, Raekwon, Rza, Deck, and Ghostface dropping verses. Everybody spits some pretty awesome intelligent lyrics, over deep and old school sounding production with snares and drums. Not much to say about this track except the fact that its a strong finish.
With the first disc of Wu-Tang Forever, the Wu comes as close as possible to matching Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but lack the perfection from that album. But its a sure bet that you can pop in this disc and push play and listen to it straight through without having to push the skip button once. The production and lyricism is still as raw and edgy, yet intelligent, as it has ever been and this double disc set is worth getting just for this disc. Wu-Tang Forever is already shaping up to be legendary...
5 Stars
But now, lets move on to Disk 2...
Track List & Rating (Disk 2)
1. Intro (NOT RATED)
2. Triumph f/ Cappadonna (******)
3. Impossible f/ Tekitha (*****)
4. Little Ghetto Boys f/ Cappadonna (****)
5. Deadly Melody f/ Streetlife (****)
6. The City (*****)
7. The Projects (****)
8. Bells Of War (*****)
9. The M.G.M. (****)
10. Dog Sh*t (****)
11. Duck Seazon (*****)
12. Hellz Wind Staff f/ Streetlife (******)
13. Heaterz f/ Cappadonna (*****)
14. Black Shampoo (****)
15. Second Coming f/ Tekitha (****)
16. The Closing (NOT RATED)
After a short spoken "Intro", we get the one of the album, in fact, the whole group's, highlights, the legendary "Triumph". Rza gives us one of his most memorable beats ever with a changing bassline, low moving violins, with a very apocalyptic, this song deserves to be neck and neck with other legendary Wu songs like "Protect Ya Neck", and "C.R.E.A.M.". Basically, every single member of the Wu-Tang Clan appears here, and all of them rap, minus ODB who simply narrates the track. They are joined by Cappadonna also. Each member of the Wu drop an amazing verse, but the best verses on this whole song belong to Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Rza, and Raekwon. Gza gives us a short, but strong showing, followed by equally tight verses from Ghostface, U-God and Method Man, but Cappadonna is a tad bit weak due to his lack of keeping a rhyme scheme. However, this is the track that basically sold this album, and it is one of the greatest Wu-Tang joints ever crafted.
This is followed by the extremely intelligent "Impossible". The instrumental features an extremely deep and thumping bassline which hammers my speakers, with some soft violins and mafiosio guitar plucks. The Wu-Tang Clan's Rza, Ghostface, and U-God spit an incredible multi-syllable flow in which Rza completely steals the show with his extremely scientific flow. Tekitha gives us the hook for the track, which is outstanding.
After a short intro, we get to "Little Ghetto Boys", which features the exact same bassline as the last track. Only this time, we are given some flutes for accompaniment, along with high violin, adding a deep mafiosio feel to the beat. Speaking of with, the mafiosio of the Wu-Tang Raekwon stars on this track, joined by Cappadonna. Both emcees drop ill verses about the streets, and growing up in the ghettoes. Superb production and lyricism is what the Wu is about, and we see it all here.
Rza gets a bit experimental, with a more polished, yet grimy sound on "Deadly Melody". We get more of the traditional Wu-Tang metaphoric braggadiocio, mixed in with some heavy punchlines delivered by Method Man, U-God, Rza, Ghostface, and Streetlife. Even Method Man, who usually isnt too complicated lyrically, drops an extremely intelligent and potent verse, and Streetlife does a great job on the track as well. Masta Killa and Gza drop in also to do a breakdown, but not a complete verse. This would be a perfect single, but sadly it never became one. Incredibly enough, Meth has the best verse, followed by Ghostface, which is pretty cool.
Even though Wu-Tang Forever stands for the reunion of the Wu-Tang Clan, we still get a few solo joints for good measure. "The City" is an Inspectah Deck solo effort produced by 4th Disciple. Inspectah Deck uses his vivid street poetry to narrate the dangers of the streets, in a very Mobb Deep-style. Inspectah Deck has meaningful lyricism on this one, and he was blessed with a tight solo effort on here. The only other solo efforts on Wu-Tang Forever are U-God's "Black Shampoo", and ODB's "Dog Sh*t". U-God's which is only an above average, well-produced storytelling track. Both are good, but Deck's is a lot more introspective and meaningful, not to mention the hard hitting bassline and sad violins add to the texture and feel, almost making it sound like something from a Gravediggaz album. The ODB solo track is more of his crazy lyricism about sex, spitting his shock-lyricism and hilariously clever punchlines. He metaphors himself as being a dog, and describes what a dog does. A fun and funny track, but i get the feeling it sort of doesn't beyond on an epic album like this one.
Similar to "Cash Still Rules / Scary Hours", the trio of Ghost, Meth, and Raek return to give us more street poetry on "The Projects". The title of the track should basically tell you everything you need to know about the subject matter of the song. In my opinion, everyone has strong delivery and lyricism on this one, and nobody beats nobody. The slamming piano keys are amazingly produced, but not as gritty as we are accustomed to, produced by Rza.
Some of the elite Wu-Tang Clan members return on "Bells of War", which is another old school braggadiocio track. Rza gives us a very unique instrumental, gritty and grimy as we are accustomed to by the Wu. We get a dark and deep whiny violin strum, with some faint flutes and high violins, some unique sound effects, a hard hitting bassline with a low clap to add to the dark texture. The track has a very saddening feel, but its basically a warning to all those who dare attempt the Wu-Tang Clan. Once again, we get more movie samples.
The team of Raekwon and Ghostface team up on the storytelling track "The M.G.M.". Though short, we get a tight storytelling track, but ends to quickly for its own good. Not as good as some of the other tracks on the album, but in no way is it filler. True Meaning gives us a haunting, violin driven instrumental on this sort of interlude track.
Raekwon the Chef dominates "Duck Seazon". Even though he is joined by Rza and Method Man, he still dominates. Raekwon spits some pretty venomous, yet laid back, battle raps, and both Rza and Method Man complement him very well. The laid-back lyricism is complemented by Rza's laid back production. Featuring a thumping bassline and some synthesized drum loops, making it extremely simplistic, yet easy to listen to. No fancy choruses on here, just pure hardcore lyricism, the Wu-Tang Clan's coupe de grace.
The Legendary "Hellz Wind Staff" is next. Featuring a variety of kung-fu movie samples throughout the song, this sounds a LOT like the Wu-Tang of old, and is a welcoming moment for traditional fans of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Featuring a thumping "changing" bassline, scratches, some high synthesized violin, extremely gritty unique sound effects, this sounds like it was pulled directly from their first album. We get some tight old school, yet advanced lyricism from the Wu, in which Deck, Raekwon, and Rza give us the best verses of the song, stealing the show.
Yes, the rhythm, the Rebel
Alone in my level heat it up past the boiling point of metal
Living legend, veteran known to set trend
Lethal weapon, step through your section
with the Force like Luke Skywalker
Rhyme author, orchestrate mind torture
Live performer, bit the mic sayanora
Borderline to insane, I rain firewater
Tape recorder, can't be saved by a court order
I got my sword cross your throat you joke
Inspectah Deck, ODB, U-God, Raekwon the Chef, and Cappadonna arrive on "Heaterz". Featuring apocalyptic production, the Wu drop their old school verses. True Master delivers us a simple drum and bass loop, with some synthesized violin and an overall huge sound. Sadly, besides the U-God solo, this is the real ending to Wu-Tang Forever. On this track however, Inspectah Deck proves to us all that he, along with Gza and Masta Killa, are indeed the greatest lyricists from the Wu, and probably some of the most talented in history:
Yo this is MC wizardry, killa bee invasion
Men of respect, blessed with wisdom of the ancients
My words are blatant, lacerate necks for statements
are launched like lead projectiles, straight out the basement
I suplex your rap, left ruined like the Aztecs
Parasites, double edge dice your larynx
My hip-hop, swarmin team locked inside the detox
Under key flock, it's like b-block and E-glocks
you're ill, your trail end thoughts are frail
I strike the cypher, and let one survive to tell the tale
The album ends with "Second Coming" and the "The Closing". The latter is a simple outro, and the first is a solo by Tekitha, who basically ends Wu-Tang Forever with an epic finish to an epic album.
Compare to the first disc, the second disc of Wu-Tang Forever falls a tiny bit short than the first. It features all of the solo effors, in which two sort of struggle, and a lack of ODB and Gza. Gza only appears for a 6 bar flow on Triumph, and then he is unheard of for the rest of the disc, which is saddening because he is my favorite member of the Wu. However, the second disc definetely shows no falling off whatsoever, and the Wu show off their lyricism. There are times on this album, both discs, that you can clearly see the lyrical maturity and improvement of the Wu-Tang Clan since Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but other times when we see that they remain the same. The second disc is only slightly worse than the first.
4 1/2 Stars
There are some complete idiots out there who refuse to give Wu-Tang Forever a chance whatsoever. Even some hardcore, die-hard Wu-Tang fans refuse to label this as classic like the first. Its true, there will most likely never be an album like Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but this one comes EXTREMELY f*ckin close to it. A lot of traditional fans didn't respond to it very well, but f*ck them. I love this album, and i am not afraid to say it. It is so underrated, but fact is, its a hell of a lot better than anything on television right now. Though its not as perfect as the first, who cares, they came out and gave us yet another classic album, and guess what... ITS 2 DISKS! Everybody, from 2pac, to Biggie, to Bone, to more recently Jay-Z has attempted to make a flawless 2 disk album, and failed miserably. That task might be impossible, but the Wu-Tang Clan created the GREATEST multiple-disk album in history which is epic and will withstand time in my opinion. So if you've got a copy of the Wu-Tang's debut, and want to expand you're collection, or if youre a hip hop fan looking for nothing but realness, then by all means, purchase Wu-Tang Forever, its my personal guarantee you will not be dissapointed.
5 Stars... CLASSIC
P.S., this is also a Enhanced CD, so you get extras when you put it in you're computer. Yet another reason to buy it!
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![Wu-Tang Forever [PA] by Wu-Tang Clan](http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/18/c8/61/2006758111-177x150-0-0.jpg)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.