The second thing I realized is that I haven’t really listened to a full Wu-Tang album since their second album ‘Wu-Tang Forever.’ I may have checked out a few of the joints on each album, but I don’t remember listening to the whole thing. As I said, the last album, in which I can remember the songs, beat, and lyrics was WTF. As say a “Wu Head,” I am kind of ashamed of saying that; but I can rationalize it by saying I have been keeping up with their solo joints, features, and other ventures they have been getting involved in. But when I think about my hiatus from listening to the group’s albums; I realized it says more about them than it does me. To keep it funky, their albums haven’t been that dope; especially in comparison to the first two. And we don’t know about the last album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, because it was bought in an auction by Martin Shkreli, who didn’t share it with the public.
I feel comfortable with that criticism because some of the group members have said similar things over the years. Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man have voiced their displeasure over production, songs, and the auction in various interviews. By contrast, this new album has been getting some praise from group members and fans alike.
The intro features RZA talking and basically prepping us for the album. It then goes into the first track Leeson Learn’d which features Inspectah Deck and Redman. I recently heard RZA say in an interview that Redman is officially/unofficially part of the Wu. Well he must have taken somebody’s place because he is featured on the album more than most of the members. He is on three songs, which is more than Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, GZA, Masta Killa, Raekwon, and U-God. In fact, U-God is not even on the album. Cappadonna who over the years had the role has the extra member of the clan features on a joint called My Only One that includes Ghost and RZA. That song is probably my favorite song, along with Fast Furious and Frozen. The song Frozen features Chris Rivers and a dope verse from Killah Priest.