This debut revolutionized hip-hop (and launched half a dozen solo careers), as much for The RZA's raw barrage of off-kilter, off-key loops and sound effects as for its consistently violent lyrics. Martial arts,at least as they appear in kung fu movies--are the Wu-Tang Clan's favorite metaphor, but they're also the organizing principle of the group, a crowd of eight rappers, each with his own way-out-there "fighting style." They created their own little self-contained culture, with its own symbols and shifting identities, and let listeners figure it out for themselves. Unless you're willing to immerse yourself in its world, it can be baffling and a little dry, but its aggression and originality are undeniable. This is it. If an alien landed on earth and wanted to know what hip hop was I would play him this. This is the definition of (Near) perfect hip hop.
1.Bring Da Ruckus (Ghostface, Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, GZA)
Perfect opening song. Once you hear "Shaolin Shadowboxing" you know it's on. With a dark Beat from the RZA and equally dark rhymes from the rest of the clan. Great Song. 10/10
2.Shame On A N**** (Ol Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ol Dirty Bastard)
The complete opposite of the first song. A funky, piano abundent beat with laid back rhymes. This is the first you hear of Ol Dirty Bastard and it's some of his best. It's also one of the only old upbeat RZA productions I've ever heard (even though I love this beat). 9.5/10
3.Clan In Da Front (Intro by the RZA, GZA solo)
My favorite Wu member (GZA), rips it up over a classic RZA piano loop. 9.5/10
4.Wu-Tang:7th Chamber
This song is so underrated just because it isn't one of RZA's best beats. But if you look past that this song holds some of the best rhymes on the album (RZA's, Ol Dirty Bastard's & Inspectah Deck's especially). 9.5/10
5.Can It Be All So Simple (Raekwon, Ghostface Killah)
A laid back track from Ghostface & Raekwon (Who went on to work together much more in depth) talking about the "Good ol Days" This song ends with an interview that has Method Man describing every member of the Wu. 9.0/10
6.Da Mystery Of Chessboxin (U-God, Inspektah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghost Face Killah, Masta Killa)
This song gets better the more you listen to it. The song starts with the familier use of kung fu samples. U-God makes an apperance and just destroys the first verse and makes this song a classic. Masta Killa appears on this song (this is actually like a guest apperance considering he wasn't part of the group at this time) and shows off his lyrical prowess with lines like "We have an APB on an mc killa/looks like the work of a masta" 9.5/10
7.Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta F' Wit (RZA, Inspektah Deck, Method Man)
One of my favorite songs of all time, one of the greatest RZA productions and the energy on this track is crazy. 10/10
8.C.R.E.A.M. (Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, Meth on chourus)
RZA produces one of the best piano loops in rap EVER, and Raekwon and Inspektah Deck drop 2 of the best verses on the CD. 10/10
9.Method Man (Method Man)
Yes it is like the title says. Method Man gets a solo song. That can be good or bad however you look at it. I think it's a shame that method man and Ghostface are the only members of the clan to get much commercial exposure. However this song is still great but it may be a little too long for it's own good. Still it's hard not to get caught singing along with the chorus "M.E.T.H.O.D. MAN!" 9.5/10
10.Protect Ya Neck (Inspektah Deck, Raewkon, Method Man, U-God, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, GZA)
This song is edited on this CD for some reason. This song features all Wu-Tang members except for Masta Killa, and everyone drops a hot verse, especially ODB & GZA. Classic Video. 10/10
11.Tearz (RZA, Ghostface Killah)
RZA puts his keyboards to good use in this song. The Catchy beat works perfectly here. RZA & Ghostface both leave you thinking with their verses which are both meaningful, disturbing and thought-provoking. 9.0/10
12.Wu-Tang 7th Chamber Pt.II (Raekwon, Method Man, Inspektah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, GZA)
This is basically a remix of the original but with an even weaker beat. A conclusion to the interview started in Can It Be all so Simple is a nice way to close an album. 8.0/10
Final Rating:96 out of 100
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