All Music Guide
With anticipation so high it caused debate not only among fans but among the group itself, WuTang Clan's fifth studio record, 8 Diagrams, found itself at the center of attention as 2007 wound down. First there was the announcement of the successful obtainment of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" sample (which was later corrected to "interpolation," as it was actually played by Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante with help from George Harrison's son, a Wu enthusiast himself, Dhani). Then Raekwon did a highly publicized online interview in which he accused the RZA of taking a dictatorial stance regarding the shape of the album, calling him a "hiphop hippie" who was moving the Clan in the wrong direction. Then Ghostface Killah followed suit, also protesting the timing of the release (it had been set for December 4, the same day The Big Doe Rehab was to come out, but was then pushed back a week). Finally, RZA responded, diplomatically, thoughtfully, respecting the opinions of... the dissenting MCs but standing by his own work. There's reason for his confidence. Nothing RZA does is haphazard, and 8 Diagrams is clearly something he's put a lot of thought and energy into. It's beautifully, impeccably produced, from the soundtrack strings and horns of "Rushing Elephants" and "Unpredictable" to the philosophical samples and guitars that are interspersed throughout it's a mood record more than anything else, with no clearcut single or fan favorites, the kind of thing that deepens and grows with every listen. Suffice it to say, it's probably not the album anyone would predict from the group after a sixyear break, but it is truly RZA's crowning achievement, the result of both his years with the Wu and in Hollywood, intricate, dark, reflective, and gorgeous. These same qualities, however, can be used to support the lessthanenthusiastic response from Raekwon and Ghostface and fans of the early hardhitting WuTang of 36 Chambers (which, ironically or not was not the universally revered masterpiece it is now when it came out in 1993). The beats are certainly not something either usually raps over, and their moodiness and heavy attention to melody don't always fit their edgier flows. Still, both manage to contribute some pretty great verses Ghost on the Easy Mo Bee coproduced "Take It Back" ("We gonna have a ball/Might as well have a testicle") and "The Heart Gently Weeps," a song which also features the Chef at his finest, strange violent imagery and all and do nothing to discredit themselves, a repercussion Raekwon hinted at. In fact, all eight MCs are in fine form here. UGod, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck are able balance their oldschool deliveries with the 23rd century beats, GZA is suitably geniuslike ("Hold you for a ransom note/Goliath cutting David's throat/Grab your vests, abandon boat/And leave you out at sea to float," he spits on the excellent "Stick Me for My Riches"), RZA esoteric and serious (and the only one with a solo track, "Sunlight"), and Method Man absolutely great, showing up on no less than half the tracks, his raspy voice and tight rhymes reminiscent of his early Tical work. is a departure from previous releases and it does focus on melody and guitars and strings, but it is also lush and wellcrafted and smart and addictive. Part of what's made RZA (and the rest of the Clan) thrive is their unpredictability and inventiveness, and so to create something expected would be counterintuitive to the band's ethos, and to what's made them so revered and respected across nations and genres and generations. Hiphop has indisputably changed since 1993, and for WuTang to not change with it would be not only shortsighted, it would be detrimental to their own immense creative powers as well. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean everyone will appreciate what they've done, but that won't be because 8 Diagrams isn't good; it just depends if you're willing to (at least try to) understand it. - Marisa Brown, All Music Guide Read more Less
