Customer Reviews

8 Diagrams

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After reading the mediocre reviews, hearing Raekwon and Ghostface disown the album, and seeing the mostly negative discussion regarding 8 Diagrams on message boards, I was prepared to be disappointed. I bought the album anyway because I love Wu-Tang, but my expectations were low.

So I came home, put it in the stereo, and prayed it wasn't too depressingly bad. I had no idea what I was in store for. The production on this album is simply incredible from start to finish. People have been calling it experimental...no, no. RZA's arrangement of somber chants, cascading guitars, rolling pianos, weeping violins, and ominous samples on this album is deliberate. He knows what he's doing, and he does it very well. The sound is dark and threatening, and beats switch up fluidly yet unpredictably. Anyone who really understands music will at least appreciate what RZA has accomplished, if not fall in love with it. I haven't been this excited upon first hearing an album since Stillmatic.

My biggest worry was based on people's complaints about the singing on this album. Let me say this: I HATE R&B hooks on Hip Hop songs with a passion. "Back Like That" was the worst song on Fishscale in my opinion. But the singing on 8 Diagrams fits the mood perfectly. It adds to the atmosphere without sounding corny or over the top.

This is grown man music, and I suspect this album is poorly received because too many people are expecting another 36 Chambers. That's what RZA tried with Iron Flag, and we saw how that worked out. Rae's complaint was that the fans are looking for punch-you-in-the-face music. This is creep-in-the-night-and-steal-your-soul music. Besides, I can't think of anything more punch-you-in-the-face than Unpredictable, and Inspectah Deck absolutely destroys that track with a verse reminiscent of his legendary Triumph break-out. Speaking of lyrics, all the members come correct here...even U-God is in top form. If 8 Diagrams is the last album from Wu-Tang Clan, which in all likelihood it is, it is the perfect closing chapter to their legacy, and a testament to the musical genius of RZA. Bong bong!

clack on weak MC's!!!! I read all the pre-reviews. I had doubts. I still went out to lunch to cop this. Man, do anyone know what REAL HIP HOP is anymore? This is fire. Nothing but. Grown hip hop just like NAS hip hop is dead. Gun will go is just unbelievable. I am 30+ I am going to be chanting that hook like a 16 year old. And Campfire, that is a way to kick off of the race. I think everyone is concern because they are not jumping around and screaming like they did in the 90's. C'mon now, neither is NAS, Jay Z, Scarface, even Redman. This is an unbelievable 'dark' album and I usually do not like all dark albums. This is an exception. It is also great that it was released around this time of the year. Get em out the way Pa had me about to drive in a ditch!!! I love it!!!! What a time to be a WU-Tang fan!! "WU-TANG,WU-TANG!!!! Keep it going brothers, R.I.P. to ODB.

Now I am a huge Wu fan, always been, always will. And when i recieved my copy of 8 Diagrams yesterday I was not expecting a 36 Chambers or another Wu-Tang Forever. Because if I wanted to hear a remake of 36 Chambers I would just save my money and listen to 36 Chambers. So when you buy this album and you put it into your player, expect a new album, not an old one. Now lets get down to business. This albums production is experimental, but I dig it. Its different but still always have the Wu-Tang style martial arts cuts, and hard hitting beats. One thing thats absolutely perfect on this album (not suprising) are the lyrics, they kill it. Now if I had a complaint, it would be there are only a few stand out tracks, but the plus to that is there isn't a song that is bad, except maybe "Starter". The production might be different, but it's still 100 Percent Wu-tang flavor. And like RZA said, Wu-Tang Clan is a family, and family goes through quarrels, but at the end of the day, that's your brother, and Wu-Tangs always forever.

My Favorite songs:

Heart Gently Weeps

Take It Back

Rushing Elephants

Wolves

Gun Will Go

Sunlight

Life Changes.

When I first heard Wu-Tang were making a new album I was skeptical but also thought they still had something up their sleeve. I was not disappointed. The Wu are back with a bangin' album WAY better than Iron Flag!! I don't think it's a secret that we're not getting another 36 Chambers but this is an album that should leave Wu fans more than satisfied. RZA creates a template with the classic creepy, off key and dense Wu-Tang sound with expansion into a broader range of music. Much of the album sounds different than what's on the radio which is what we all loved about these dudes when they came through. The lyrics are vivid, unique but with an unmistakable more mature and slower pace, this works but I know some will hate it. Method Man kills it on every track he's on, Deck sound as tight as ever, and the lack of Ghostface on like half the album is filled with the rest of the Clan in top form. Standout tracks include Campfire, Take it Back, Get them Out Ya way Pa, Rushing Elephants, Unpredictable, Heart Gently Weeps (Ghost KILLS IT!!) Wolves, Weak Spot, Life Changes, and 16th Chamber!! The reviews will definitely be mixed because there is a bit too much experimentation and possibly not enough rugged raw Wu. But in about 2 years this will be able to stand tall in the shadow of Wu-Tang Forever and even Enter the Wu-Tang. HATERS NEED TO SIT DOWN AND KEEP LISTENING TO THEIR SOLDIER BOY AND QUIT BAGGIN ON THE GROUP THAT PAVED THE WAY FOR HARDCORE HIP-HOP MORE THAN ANY OTHER!!! IF YOU WANT REAL HIP HOP IN ITS PUREST FORM COP THIS ALBUM!!!! WU-TANG FOREVER!!! END OF STORY!!! R.I.P. ODB

Hip-hop is no country for old men. Pop music in general doesn't take kindly to fogies, but if you're a rapper, the options are especially slim: There's no Starbucks to help get your Paul McCartney on, no casino where you can get your Celine Dion on, no Broadway where you can get your Billy Joel on, not even a Rick Rubin to help you get your Johnny Cash on. For the majority of hip-hop's seniors (roughly, MCs age 35 and up) there are just varying shades of death to choose from: crankiness, irrelevance, Celebrity Fit Club and plain-old, unglamorous death itself.

There are probably kids doing the Crank That who have never even heard of the Wu-Tang Clan. Unlike the Notorious B.I.G., their early-'90s contemporary, the Staten Island Crew didn't suffer a tragic, legend-making end, nor did they inspire a generation of Wu-Cadets the way Christopher Wallace inspired so many Little Biggies. No nine-man, numerology-obsessed posses have sprung up in their wake: Nobody has dared to be that bizarre.

And yet, despite the odds, their fifth album is arrestingly, chillingly good. It doesn't include any overblown claims of invincibility; instead, it's a haunted house where samples shiver, floorboards creak and the scariest ghosts of all are the flinty-eyed MCs telling decades-old tales of desperation and violence with smoldering immediacy, like they're cursed to relive them endlessly. Here, Wu-Tang don't defy death; they fall into a grim lockstep with it.

8 Diagrams might be the quietest hip-hop album ever made. RZA, who produced 13 songs and coproduced the other two, cultivates a sinister hush throughout; gone are the spine-snap snares and street-mob chants of 36 Chambers, the synth sleaze of Forever and the brassy funk of The W and Iron Flag. The beats are ashen and skeletal, like the charred remains of a fire, and come laced with fantastic details: rattling chains, spindly guitar peals, warped toms and on and on. RZA has always been hip-hop's reigning minimalist, but his work scoring films--Kill Bill, most recently--seems to have strengthened his ear for ambiance and texture. "Gun Will Go" opens with some exuberant soul, then gives way to an icy two-note bassline and Method Man's evocation of some nightmarish urban nature preserve: "This is Poverty Island, man, these animals don't run/Slums where the ambulance don't come."

Method Man, who spent the past decade mutating from group hotshot into a poor man's Wayans brother, sounds especially rejuvenated. His voice is a corroded, serrated wonder, and for the first time in years he delivers rhymes to match. Raekwon, long negligible, returns to form, too, with thrilling true-crime raps. Unsurprisingly, the most virtuosic turn belongs to Ghostface, who's enjoying a seven-year hot streak. On "The Heart Gently Weeps," which ingeniously jacks the Beatles, he stages a chaotic shootout in a Pathmark that moves from the dairy section--"Damn, I got milk on my Clark's"--to the cleaning- supply aisle--"Shots was whizzing, hitting Clorox bottles!"

Which leaves the Other Guys: GZA, whose brags unfold in careful paragraphs, excitable Inspectah Deck, dead-calm Masta Killa and rumbling U-God. Like affable cousins at a family reunion, you don't want to get stuck in conversation with them for too long, but it wouldn't be the same party without them.

Someone, of course, isn't here, and it's easy to read the album's ghostly fog as a response to Ol' Dirty Bastard's fatal 2004 overdose. After the final song, an ODB freestyle from the early '90s revs up unexpectedly and, for a minute, it's as though that rowdy MC has cheated death. In hip-hop, it's tough to grow old, but that doesn't mean you can't live forever.

The RZA is a god for hip-hop. He essentially said it's time to grow the Fk up. Rae and Ghost tell tales of dust/coke/dope, smashing faces and stomping the weak. The clan members that are featured in this wu-banger are the intelligent enlightened cats. RZA,GZA and most of all Masta Killa fill the cd with reason, knowledge and force you to open your mind and think (god forbid). Killa is in my opinion the most featured MC, most his flows start at the change of a beat that make the verse stand out. UGOD and Capa sound like it's 1996, GHOST and RAE are toned down but still smash it up. Then for good measure add mef and Deck who just kill every syllable of every word in every song they spit in. The distribution of the MC's is PERFECT. The production is perfect. The message is perfect and if you think this cd is soft or something stupid just listen to "Weak Spot" and "Unpredictable" and shut up.

"Today I'll talk about kindness, Justice, faith. Kindness and faith are the foundation, without them we can't become good people and with justice we know and lead a good life" "Practice honesty, keep your temper, never loose control of yourself, keep control, be patient. If you learn to do these things you can master anything." This is first thing you hear followed by a head banging RZA beat with Mef opening up in World Champion top form. If that thought doesn't sound appealing go mindless and pop in 50, jeezy or jim jones and call it a day.

When I say that statement, I mean the hip hop you saw from Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, etc. The hip hop that was fun listen to but also had substance in their lyrics. This Wu Tang Clan offering gives us that -- or as close as it will ever be in the foreseeable(?) future. Some may know already about the Wu but I'll break it down for some of you.

They hit the underground in a big way with Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Solo release after solo release after this was either seen as an amazing album or a huge disappointment.(half of these weren't "solo" btw, but welcome to the now-a-days standards of features)Ask anyone who around 93-97, that's how long it took for the Wu to release a follow up to their classic debut. Almost on par with their critical acclaimed debut, Wu-Tang Forever was followed with commercial success as well. It was clear that this group was here to rule all. As a group, they didn't get the critical acclaim or even the commercial success as their sophomore release. Between the disappointment of The W and this album, 8 Diagrams, we saw the tragic lost of Dirt McGirt, Ol' Dirty Bastard. Everyone knew that the group was extremely hurt about this and everyone was waiting for something that brought the group together and they all finally agreed to do another album.

We start off with "Campfire", starting things off on a good bang. Everyone expected Martial Arts movie skits, and they are definitely present here. "Take It Back" is another bang and it would've been a better opening track then the previous song. They're proclaiming their ruling power in the past,present and future. Method Man continues to dominate this album with "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa". Honestly, this feels like something on a Meth album, just very smokey beat and flow. On "Rushing Elephants", we finally hear GZA and RZA, both on top notch. Really weird lyrics here but they come great. "Unpredictable" feels like a hit or miss. It might be due to the more exciting beat rather then the relaxing/smokey beats we had before. "The Heart Gently Weeps" is easily the album's highlight, or one of them. Has become my favorite thus far, not just because of the singing(very nicely done by Erykah Bad btw) but by the chilling beat/flow(s). I think Masta Killa and/or GZA would have gone better here rather than Ghostface. Still well done. "Wolves" feels like some REALLY crack/cocaine track. The p-funk beat and the hook by the godfather of it, George Clinton, really put me in a wild state. What I noticed is how great U-God has become with his lyrics.

"Gun Will Go" could be the best lyrical track here. "Sunlight" is a RZA solo. It feels like he did this without the group's approval, it just feels odd. "Stick Me for My Riches" is another one of those highlights. Top notch lyrics, flow and beat. I wouldn't complain about the long length of the song. "Starter" is the only song I couldn't stand. Its shame, the lyrics are well done but the beat isn't. Both "Windmill" and "Weak Spot" feel like real hip hop, along with the beginning tracks. The conclusion is tragic, we all expected it sooner or later, the ODB tribute. "Life Changes" could be one of the best tribute tracks, lyrically, along with Can't Stop This by The Roots. If you're lucky, you'll get the bonus tracks, but I didn't...lol.

In conclusion, please don't expect this to be the messiah of hip hop music. Don't expect another 36 chambers or Wu-Tang Forever. But I do guarantee a very good album. 5/5

A lot of people will disagree with me but this album starts a new Wu Tang era. And man, this is Great. Don't compare it to nothing else. It's just like this: Rza is taking hip hop forward, pushing the limits of the genre. If you don't like it, stick to what you usually listen. YOU ARE MISSING. I don't, I bought the damr record. We all know Rza won't care about critics, you must know it by now. He could've stick to the early wu tang sound, wich is timeless and amazing, but Rza wanted more, the whole Wu tang wanted more. But maybe Rae and Ghost wanted different. And that's COOL. Tha's what makes Wu Tang great. The vibrant emotion of its members. They just won't settle down and go like "that's cool, man i'd do wathever people or producers want". Fxck no, that wouldn't be Wu Tang. Yeah, Rae-Ghost are sayin' things about Rza and the record. But man, WHY DON'T YOU, WU TANG FAN, LISTEN TO THE RECORD WITH OPEN MIND. YES, its a difficult record. It may take many times until you get the essence of the song, but man, it is rewarding. THIS AIN'T NO COMMERCIAL SHXT LIKE 50 CENT, THIS IS UNAFRAID CHALLENGING HIP HOP. BEWARE.

Almost every song is great, AND especially the non-us version, wich has 16th chamber odb special. it's odb, you know it's essencial, besides Tar Pit featuring the immortal funkateer of all time, George Clinton. Get that version at amazon.co.uk or whatever. (.. and man, I'm glad it didnt included "watch you mouth" because I must admit, didn't like the song one bit. I think Everything here is way way better than that song, IMO)

Amazing record, amazingly creative beats, very diverse, dark, funky. Some said it lacked the "in-your-face" attitude. I don't think its true. But you have to set your mind in a different mood. Twist you mutherfuxkin mind. Because this shxt is twisted, brilliant. This kind of record keeps hip hop alive.

Light a big fat joint, and let the 8 diagrams explain itself. If you don't like it then bring some meth, light another big fat joint and listen to it again. It will be one of your favorite Wu Tang joints. But don't download it, buy the record. Wu Tang deserve it. 50 cent and "others" don't. We want Wu Tang in ripping the charts once again. Show the people why "Wu Tang is the best".

Cheers, Wu Tang!!! Wu fuxkin did it again.
WU TANG FOREVER!!!!!!!!

First i'll have to say that Rae and Ghost are crazy! I know you've probably read all over the internet how they said RZA was power tripping and filled the album with lackluster production. They were wrong! The production is superb. A six year wait and i'd wait another 6 years if they were to drop another banger like this. All the tracks have their own unique sound and the lyrics are vintage Wu. U-God really caught my ear with his verse on Take It Back. It reminded me a lot of the Cappa verse Winter Warz. In my opinion, he defined his career with that verse. I'm going to go as far as to say that it's the best verse on the album. I'll be honest and say I was skeptical at first because it's not everyday that a contributor to an album call it "bulls@#t" (Ghostface did it). But i'm happy to say that he's way wrong. Not one clan member is with flaw on any track from start to finish. Even the classic kung-fu movie clips are back. I won't list my favorite tracks because that would take away from the other tracks on the album. But if even 3% of hip-hop music today sounded like this the music wouldn't be in it's current deplorable state. I give this one a 4.5 out of 5 because I truly believe that nothing is perfect (it shows 5 stars because they don't allow half stars). 4.5 is the best rating i'll ever give any album. If you're a hip-hop fan or a fan of great music in general then you have to give this one a purchase. Peace to the godz and thank you for giving me 15 powerful reminders of why i'm a hip-hop fan in the first place...

The boiling controversy concerning this album's direction between fellow Wu members resulted in one of the most anticipated releases of 2007, let alone the Wu-Tang Clan's entire discography. Curiosity had me drooling for this album months ahead of it's scheduled release. Honestly, with The RZA being accused of being a "hip-hop hippy" from his fellow Clan members was more intriguing. Which to me, meant a welcomed change in formula.

While I can't say everyone on the roster is in TOP form. I will say The RZA is in top form. I also feel Method Man, Raekwon & Ghost are doing the best job overall. RZA's beats aren't that left field realistically. "Campfire" opens the album gorgeously, while "Take It Back" flexes a simpler, more atmospheric beat for the members to ride on. "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa" is one of my favorites, featuring dope verses from Meth. "Rushing Elephants" boasts a dope beat and holds solid. "Unpredictable" has some heart-stopping production - most definitely a standout. This one is exploding with energy and dope verses all around. "The Heart Gently Weeps" is a cover of The Beatle's "My Heart Gently Weeps" featuring John Frusciante on guitar & Erykah Badu on vocals. Compared to the advance of this tune I heard, this turned out to be a stunning track. "Wolves" is a solid joint here. Dope soundscape and tight lyrics from everyone.

"Guns Will Go" is where it starts to get fuzzy for me. Though the lyrics are very dope, I'm simply not feeling the backing vocals by Sunny Valentine. Like the next track "Sunlight", it also slows down the mix...almost to a stop. This is a definite skipper to me. "Stick Me For My Riches" - too much singing. This is where the album stars to take a dive in my opinion. We are loosing that raw tag team style that makes the Wu so appealing. "Starter" also fails to boast a quality hook, let alone a worthwhile verse. "Windmill" saves the momentum a bit with a quality joint. "Weak Spot" & "Life Changes" close out the album pretty nicely. I can't really complain about those.

Overall, this album is somewhat front-loaded with most of the quality cuts. It just starts to lose a little steam as it moves along. Realistically, GZA, Meth, Rae, Deck, Ghostface, and even U-God perform well throughout. Some sound more hungry and inspired by RZA's production choices than others. My main complaint is that there could have been less "pretty" hooks on this album. That's usually a trait that helps an album. But this is the Wu-Tang Clan. I'm not usually looking for elegant female choruses to spice up a winningly gritty East coast feel.