Customer Reviews

Problem

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this album the minute I discovered that the Genius is one of the many guest MC's on the disc. I anticipated the album to be well-produced and packed with talented Wu-affiliate MC's, however I must admit that I'm not completely crazy about Mathematic's production style. Although there are no commercial songs to disrupt the album, there are no real heavy street bangers. Math's basic style consists of orchestrated keyboard patterns layered over modest bass-lines. Overall, his production tends to have a thin feel. The emphasis of most songs is on the actual rappers whose vocals garner full attention, which is a good thing for street intended hip-hop. Fortunately, Math has collected a few nice MC's and is benefited by the appearance of Wu charter members RZA, Ghostface, Method Man, Master Killer, Inspector Deck, Raekwon, ODB (RIP), U-God, and the aforementioned greatest of them all, the GZA. Listening to new material from these artists alone is worth the cost of the album. Noteworthy Queens-based Wu-affiliates include Hot Flames, Ali Vegas, Bald Head, and Eyeslow who is exceptionally sharp with his lyrics and flow. I'd like to hear more from this cat.

Despite my preference for Wu beats that are created through the bangin' street production of the RZA, 4th. Disciple, and True Master; Allah Math certainly proves that he remains worthy of their company. The more I listen to The Problem, the more I appreciate it. The jewels on this disc include Strawberries & Cream, U.S.A., Spot Light, and the exceptionally pumpin' Winta Sno. If you're a Wu fan you won't find any real problems with this CD.

First to the people contemplating whether they should get this or not let me explain. If your a true Hip Hop fan, get it, but if your a Wu-Tang fan, they DEFINATELY get it. It has a pretty good Wu-Tang sound to it. Wu-Tang Clan isn't on every single song, there are some different cats on this album, ill name them. "Eyeslow", "Allah Real", "Hot Flames", "Ali Vegas", "Bald Head" etc. Then you got Wu-Tang appearences. Good album all together though.

The production on the album is all by Mathematics and RZA. I think that about all the beats are good, and im feeling them. But I can say, this album had a lot of variety in the beats. A lot of originality, good here.

Lyric wise, Mathematics isn't a rapper, so all the people I named, plus Wu-Tang drop verses. I think that their isn't no weak verses in the whole album. They are all strong and put to good use. "Can I Rise" was a pretty deep track by "Hot Flames", I think he gots mad potential for sure. Overall this album is great, I recommend you check it out!!

My Top 5 Songs
1.C What I C
2.Can I Rise
3.Real Nillaz
4.Rush
5.U.S.A

Let's start by saying I meant to give this 5 stars. Almost 2 years since his "Love Hell or Right" (which is worthy of 4 stars), the great Wu-affiliated producers returns with another collabo album featuring the whole Wu-Tang Clan on this one, as well as some Wu-affiliated lyricists who are good on the mic (especially T-Slugz, EyesLow & Hot Flames). I like this better then his first album, and this is definately worthy of 5 stars to a Wu fan. Mathematics producers every track on here (like his last album), and as usual he has some straight up great beats, a few are ok but most are fire, and does not rap on any song. Packed with 14 songs, 3 classics, 3 almost classic songs, 1 I skip, 1 ok song, the rest are all good. A must have album for any fans of Wu-Tang music, you won't be disappointed.

#2 - 9.5 (T-Slugz & Eyes Low -- tight beat & story)
#3 - 7.5 (Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Allah Real)
#4 - 9 (Hot Flames -- nice beat and clever story telling -- each verse is a new story)
#5 - 8.5 (Method Man f/ Panama PI)
#6 - 8.5 (Ali Vegas, Eyes Low, LS)
#7 - 9.5 (Buddah Bless, Hot Flames, Eyes Low, Panama PI, Allah Real -- great upbeat song)
#8 - 8.5 (T-Slugz -- tight beat)
#9 - 9 (Ghostface killah, Buddah Bless, Eyes Low, Raekwon -- nice beat)
#10 - 5.5 (Bald Head)
#11 - 10 (CLASSIC -- method Man f/ GZA -- tight beat)
#12 - 9.5 (Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Todd, Panama PI, Eyes Low, Hot Flames -- nice beat)
#13 - 9 (Eyes Low, Angie neil, Bald Head, Allah real -- deep story)
#14 - 10 (CLASSIC -- Ol Dirty Bastard, U-God, Masta Killa{Classic ODB verse - R.I.P.) -- tight beat)
#16 - 10 (CLASSIC -- Cappadonna f/ Inspectah Deck, U-God -- great beat)

Check all my reviews

this album is a work of art. i have never written a review before but i had to write a review for this album just out of appreciation for mathematic's dedication to keeping hip hop alive. i would recommend it to anyone who still has an ear for true hip hop. mathematics is a certified game spitter and has strategically rounded up the entire wu ennead.

you may not agree with me but this has to be said. although kanye has good intentions he needs to study some more. his album is a ball of confusion. i would say that his album is great if he is purposefully attempting to confuse his customers; however i do not think that this is his goal. thus i would definitely nominate mathematics for album of the year over kanye's.

Mathematics is just an incredible producer arranger. "Love hell or Right" I believe was him at his best, although he does come back strong with a slightly subdued and bleaker "The Problem". "The Problem". Its not mean-mugging ghetto fire like LHOR but he manages to dazzle us with is urban soul samples and trouncing beats. I had a review to submit for LHOR but Amazon lost it. I called him a genius in that review and that opinion stands. Some standout tracks are "Real Nillaz" featuring Ghostface, Buddah Eyeslow and Raekwon,"Strawberries and Cream" With Deck, Face, RZA and REAL. Most of the tracks are complex but much darker than LHOR. Buy this if you're a dirty true WU. Others may not like the grime.

I'd just about given up on Allah Mathematics. I was hyped when I saw his production credits back in the day on the second Gravediggaz disc (along with another Wu disciple, Truemaster), but high expectations quickly fell flat, along with the production of that entire album, which was a serious bust.

With that, I was a little apprehensive about "The Problem," but I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Allah Math finally comes into his own in terms of production on this record. To be sure, it's not a banger the whole way through, but beginning with "Strawberries'n'Cream," he achieves the 'Wu vibe' that has managed to elude even the RZA for a few years back there. For the most part, the production is relatively spare, but the strengh of the lyrics makes up for it. Plenty of the original clan shows up here, and even the extended-fam cuts are pretty tight.

And "Two Shots of Henny" is the most party-startingest Wu song I've probably heard.

I'm still not sold on Truemaster, but I'll be looking for the next offering from Allah Math.

This was better then I thought. My favorite joint is "Tommy" but all the tracks are above average. If you're a Wu-tang fan get this decent rap album from one of Wu's best producers.

Mathematics has always been one of my favourate Wu-Tang producers and on this 2nd album he proves his consistency, managing to get all the Wu generals on this album and actually featuring the last new song which I had heard with ODB. This album also features new artists such as Eyeslow, Ali Vegas, Hot Flames and T-Slugz which while not on a par with the Wu, they still manage to bring some quality to the overall package.

Standout tracks are Strawberrys and Cream, Real Nillaz, Winta Sno and Rush (mainly because I am such a fan of the Genius)all providing a suitable soundscape worthy of the Wu.
Mathematics proves once again why he is a member of the Wu family and demonstrates his knack for making quality beats although his debut in my opinion is better, don't sleep on him, this is a solid effort and well worth to be a part of any Wu-Tang collection.

I've never had such an easy review to make (although this is my first review).. this is a pure WU classic rite here, anyone who gives this anything below 4 and a half stars is either drunk or they ears dont work.. then again people are entitled to their opinions. i dont get it when people use "this album isnt like his last one" as a criticism of the album?? if this album was like his last one would these same clowns not be complaining that he has no variety to his style? change is good sometimes and this is one of those times.. CLASS PRODUCTION (as to be expected) SWEET LYRICS and many WU MEMBER appearences (what more do you need?). check out immortal technique's "revolutionary vol 2" aswell. (classic)