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EDIT INFOWu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
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Album Details
- Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
- Album: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
- Label: Loud
- Year of Release: 1993
- ME Rating: Indie Classic
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-12-27
RecommendWith the return of the Wu-Tang Clan this year I thought it would be appropriate to review their debut album. If there was to be any more contrived an album as this, I had never heard of it. The plan of these MCs was to be that Enter The Wu-Tang would be so successful that each and every member would then have an established solo career. Amazingly enough it worked. Even if you have never listened to the Wu-Tang you should recognize the member names: Rz, Gza, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Masta Killa, U-God, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and Ghostface Killah. They all have had quite the solo rap career. But, why is that? Have another listen to 36 Chambers and the reason should be obvious, these guys are good. They have the G-Rap style of Dr. Dre but they also rely heavy on old school beats and the beats are catchy. It has a lot to do with the production of chief Wu-Tang RZA. This album pretty much single-handedly defined the dark and ominous sound. If you haven't heard Enter the Wu-Tang, give time for one track, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin". It is my favorite track out of a very solid album. Another hot one is "Protect Ya Neck". Damn, the whole thing is hot. There really isn't any track that should have been left off. I'm usually against skits but the ones on here just seem to complete the album. Even the kung fu samples that are littered throughout the album add to it. I might have dropped the one at the beginning of "Tearz" but it's a small complaint.
The business sense of these artists was what really astounds. They had the plan to break out as individuals and totally succeeded at that too. Not only were the Wu-Tang Clan albums influential but Genius/GZA's Liquid Sword , Method Man's Tical, and Ghostface Killah's Ironman are all arguably hip hop classics.
One last comment, Enter The Wu-Tang is due for a remastering. It would make it sound so crisp.
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Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
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Log In or Register to Rate Albumson 2011-09-23 CharlesMartel Said:
I enjoy some rap, but I really detest the misogyny, glorification of violence, elevation of drug dealing to a noble profession and above all I hate the use of the N word. Irrespective of how ground breaking 36 Chambers is, I cannot see beyond those flaws. Now, check out Dalek for eg: that is some damn good badass hip-hop. I'll review Absence soon, I think:)
Rating: 1/10
on 2011-09-23 hstisgod Said:
I dig your writing Charles, but I think your rating, contradicts the second sentence in your review.
"This is just unbelievably mediocre"
Yet you rated this Indie Classic! a one? I understand your displeasure for it's overall attitude towards life, but this album is the epitome for indie Rap/Hip Hop of its time. This was just a bunch of friends who got together and changed the indie world's view of talent for it's genre. This release was dark and chalk full of well thought out hooks and lyricism. I disagree whole heartedly with your one rating, but still respect your consideration of EVERY type of genre. The last thing I expected to see was you reviewing this album, haha.
Not Rated
Review:
on 2011-09-23 CharlesMartel Said:
I don't know what everyone raves about. This is just unbelievably mediocre. It's supposed to be the cream of hip-hop and I know many a person who rates this as being one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. So I asked one, what is it which makes this so good in his eyes? The lyrics was his answer.
OK, lyrics. Can someone please tell me what is good about this?
"Shame on a nigga who try to run game on a nigga
Wu buck wild with the trigger!
Shame on a nigga who try to run game on a nigga
I'll FUCK YOUR ASS UP!"
I have had the misfortune of hearing far too many of these so-called hip-hop classics. Not one of them has moved me in any way. I dont know what it is about the genre, but I should be able to find some of the classics enjoyable, or at least interesting. After all, while I may be prepared to speak my mind about classics of other genres, I can usually see the merit in them, though I may feel their classical status is more hype and less substance. Yet with hip-hop classics, I do not even get that sense. Most genres I can at least appreciate what the aim is, even if I don't like it hell I can even tap my feet to disco music! But this stuff, no, it's just the same old stuff put out time and time again. Where is the originality of a Dalek, for example?
I find the flat delivery irritating, the sentiments expressed in a completely unappealing matter of fact way and the music nothing more than background filler for the voices. Like too many hip-hop albums, the vocals are enslaved by the rhythm, resulting in the most strained and tortuous usage of English imaginable. Pauses for breath are taken at the most inappropriate times, there is no flow, no substance, no passion, no spark. Whereas some lyrics can aspire to poetry, this standard of hip-hop cannot even aspire to doggerel.
One of the worst examples of mindless expletives, insults, irregular delivery, mistimed delivery I have ever had the misfortune to listen to. Frankly, I cannot see the appeal of this. Oh, and I hate skits!! I wouldn't accept this if it were free.
Rating: 1/10
Review:
on 2007-08-12 blueandyellow Said:
1. Bring Da Ruckus (3/5)
2. Shame On A Nigga (3/5)
3. Clan In Da Front (3/5)
4. Wu Tang: 7th Chamber (3/5)
5. Can It Be All So Simple (3/5)
6. Da Mystery Of Chessboxin' (5/5)
7. Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit (4/5)
8. C.R.E.A.M. (5/5)
9. Method Man (3/5)
10. Protect Ya Neck (4/5)
11. Tearz (3/5)
12. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II (3/5)
Total Score: 3.50/5.00
* I understand the hype and this album definitely lives up to it. It's the one that started the Wu Empire and influenced most of my favorite rappers AND producers today. The lyrics are completely on point. But if I were to jump in my car and head to the Wu section of my iPod, I would much rather bump Liquid Swords or Wu-Tang Forever.
Rating: 7/10
