Customer Reviews

Tical

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Everyone waited after hearing the Enter the Wu album. Everyone waited to see what would come next. Never before had hip hop seen a group so filled with talent and promise made up of so many different members. 2 years later, they got Tical.
This album picked up right where Enter the Wu left off, further developing the Wu-Tang style of beats and rhymes. Method Man had established himself as a standout talent on the Enter the Wu album and people knew they would be hearing and seeing a lot more of him. This album delivered the first legitimate solo installment for the Wu. No one who listens to hip hop and who owned this album doesn't have a feeling that is brought back when they hear this album. I was in high school when this album dropped and hearing it brings me back to that time each time I hear it.
The production is amazing: grimey and live. The rhymes are staggering. It's the perfect mixture of style and attitude.

A classic, this album kicked off the solo ventures of the Wu-members that would span the next decade.

Hmmm, I knew my boyfriend was looking for this hard-to-find CD and with great stealth, timing and your site....I found it, got it delivered quick and knocked his socks off when I handed it to him....his face just lit up and w/o any words, I knew I had just entered another dimension w/ him. Hey, what got me working fast to getting this CD is that 'All I Need' song~he played it for me and I was hooked. Method Man...you have once again worked in mysterious and magical ways...ummmph, I look forward to hearing it played in the background and kissing and luving on my own method man;)

The Dirt. The Grimey, the basement beats and sound quality, the straight up RAWNESS. This is the real Method Man. The rough cat, the blunted, the crazy look, the dirty style, the charisma, theflow, the lyrics...oh my. He gave Wu-Tang its first star. Forget ODB, Forget Ghostface Killah, Forget The Rebel INS...When this album dropped he was the BEST member in Wu-Tang. Who could forget M.E.T.H.O.D. Man?

Tical was the second classic that had the W stamp on it. Everything you love about the Wu could be found in here. The Rugged beats, the street rhymes, the raw, the real anthems. Low sound quality ( at times you can't even hear what he's saying) and all that is a straight fiyah classic from Wu-Tang's most known member ( other than ODB of course). His flow is untouchable on this cd. Non rehearsed, freestyle sessions no retakes this is where it's at. The classics are here to... Bring Da Pain, All I Need, What The Blood Clot, Meth Vs. Chef, Release Yo Delf, Biscuits...the whole cd. IF you don't have this I feel sorry for you. Nothing else to say. 5 Stars.

After the phenomenal "Enter the Wu Tang: 36 Chambers" was released, the next goal of the clan was to get the members on individually, and Meth was first out of the gate. Being the first post "Enter the Wu" release, this album does not disapoint. It is Rza as a producer, and Meth has an Emcee, in their rawest and ruggedest form. The beats on this album touch all different types of sounds with the rawness attached to it, and the final result was a bizarre twist of dark funk and strange noises which flow with Meth's signature raspy voice and style. Though it wouldn't be terrible if the album was filled with the whole clan making guest appearences, it is perhaps better you only get a few, making this mostly a Meth + Rza production, both in top form.

Perhaps the albums difining moment is on "Bring the Pain", the simple humming with the signature Rza cords make it an excellent beat allowing Meth to spit fire over the track. This is Meth in top-top form where it is more apparent he is a gifted lyracist and not just a blazed out rapper who has a unique style. Although it was mentioned there are only a few collabo's, one of the best tag team/square off Wu records is on here which showcases the groups two most popular members, Meth and Raekwon on "Meth vs. Chef". The two emcees square off in a semi battle rap where both are able to display their different styles and different techniques of word play.

Another one of the top tracks on the album is the "All I Need" which would be a scary "love" song for any other rap act to touch. It is not a pianoed out love ballad with an R&B chorus, it is one of the most raw songs on the entire album due to it's daring beat from Rza. More famous for it's remix featuring Mary J Blige, the original is obviously more for the hardcore fans and I find it to be amazing for it's rawness and creativity.

There are funky parts of "Tical" however and I find them to be two of my favorite on the album, and possibly two of my favorite all time Wu records. "Release Yo Delf" starts of with a modernized and ghetto version of "I Will Survive", the goes into the semi funkiness and reved up trumpet drawn Rza beat. An instant pump up joint with loud lyrics and a screaming chorus. The funkiest song on the album is "P.L.O. Style" which another insane tracks. A horn sounding instrument chimes in from time to time and the flow over the track is laid back which makes it more of an easy listen, but not to easy, enough to keep it raw.

This album in the end goes just south under the 5 star rating, probably due to a couple of tracks being a little too out there. However, the album is one of my personal favorites and easily one of the best Wu joints of all time. Rza in top form, Meth in top form, that is a ridiculous combination and it shows on this records. Maybe one of the best producer/rapper tandoms in all of hip hop. "Tical" is definately an insane record with a raw funk unseen today.

One member of the Wu-Tang Clan, back in '94 Method Man was known for his raspy voice, his huge afro, and that contact in his eye that made him look like he was blind in one eye. Dropping his debut "Tical" was one of the dopest solo albums from the Wu that many fans appriciated.

Getting right to the point, every song on this album, Method Man rhymes are fresh like he was back on "Enter The Wu: 36 Chambers". The lead single "Bring The Pain" was one of those rhymes as Meth proved that he can carry an album by himself. "All I Need" was another dope song (if you're not aware this is the well known song that was remixed featuring Mary J. Blige. She does NOT appear on here.) as Meth shows love for his girl.(If they decide to reissue this album, I wouldn't mind it being on here.) There are a couple of songs here where I feel Meth reaches his high point. "Sub Crazy" would be one of them, as well as "PLO Style" with Carlton Fisk and "Release Yo' Delf" with singer Blue Rasberry. A classic combination would be the song "Mr. Sandman" that features RZA, Inspetah Deck, Street Thug (now known as Streetlife), and Carlton Fisk, with Blue Rasberry singing in the background. Method Man would remix his selftitled song "M-E-T-H-O-D Man" on the last track of the album, also a great song.

Problems, I can only think of only one, and that is his raspy voice. It's not bad and it's quite unique, but there are points where you have no idea what he's saying because of it. Like the song "Stimulation", I barely can understand what he's saying in the second verse. Other than that, it's all cool.

As you can tell, this is a classic album from the Wu. If you do not have this album, and you're a Wu fan, I HIGHLY recommend that you pick this on up. It's enjoyable and arguably one of the best solos from the group between Wu's reign back in '93-'97. Unfortunately, no one can say that Meth isn't the same lyrically since this album. Comparing Meth back in '94, is like comparing Snoop Dogg's "Doggystyle" to what he's making today. They're in the same boat.

Lyrics: A-
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A-

C.I.'s Favorite Tracks- Tical, Bring The Pain, All I Need (original), Meth Vs. Chef, Sub Crazy, Release Yo' Delf, PLO Style, Mr. Sandman, M-E-T-H-O-D Man (Remix)

Chandler Infamous, and I'm out. Peace everyone!!

Method Man lyrics. RZA beats at their top form. Forget about it. All types of good nastiness when you got that combo bringin' the pain. I've been jammin' Tical for years. Tical and Liquid Swords are my two favorite Wu albums. I'm not sure what has happened to the Wu for like the last 6,7,8 years or so, but I'm still jammin' Tical, Liquid Swordz, Gravediggaz first, ODB's first, Chef's first, and 36 Chambers every once in a bit. The message was so fresh then. The message is fresh now but something's changed... Love the Wu anyway.

First, let me start by saying how ingenious it was to spinoff albums from most of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan. These brothers were'nt kidding at the end of the 36 Chambers about making cream. This was unheard of in successful rap groups back in their time. It used to be that members spawned their own albums because of beef w/in the crew (Ice Cube from N.W.A), or various creative differences (Dr. Dre and his producing, Busta Rhymes because his lyrical talent is far superior to the rest of the L.O.N.S, etc). It was unfortunate that the Wu-Tang Clan reunion album wasn't up to par with the hip-hop listening population. At least they set a record for the fastest descent in the pop charts.

The RZA tailors his production to the rap style of the artist, and this grimy, stark production suits Method Man. Even Meth's raspy voice has various styles. This most anticipated album release did not disappoint. "Bring the Pain", "Release Yo' Delf" and "All I Need" are obvious classics which sounds as good today as it did over 10 years ago. They will sound just as good 10 years from today.

This album is great from first song to the second to last (Why did Meth remake Method Man? What a mistake.). Meth shows off various styles of rap from the sensitive (All I Need), to battle rap (Meth vs. Chef, I thought Chef won), to being part of the crew (Mr. Sandman). This album really deserves 4 3/4 stars. If it wasn't for that damn remix (they should have put the All I Need remix instead) this album would have received a 5 star rating from me.

The Wu-Tang Clan were true pioneers and were at the top of their game during their reign. Meth's "Tical" was one of the many great examples of Wu's greatness. This was a CD for the ages.

method man is by far the greatest lyricist in the wu...as well as in the world. he never bores you on the mic and is always on and poppin'. he's not only talented..but he's innovative which a lot of mc's aren't these days...RESPECT DUE

i couldnt believe the 2 star reviews on this wu banga. definately one of the clans shining moments, try and compare this album to any other of its time...you cant because it is so original and genius, the reason for the low quality of the beats is because the rzas studio was destroyed by a flood so all the masters were ruined, and they redid beats and lyrics in a short period of time to make deadline.great album start to finish. if youre a wu fan that only likes cream and method man and gravel pit, keep ridin dick, but if you youre a real head, recognize the dopeness and originality of this record and appreciate it for what it is...CLASSIC.

Despite the fact that most newer music, and rap in general, has devolved recently into mind-numbing garbage, I decided to put in Method Man's breakout album, titled in reference to a slang term for a blunt mixed with sweetener - perhaps even referenced in Alexander Shulgin's seminal TiHKAL - for a repeat listen. A very good idea. What's interesting, however, is that the composition of the album follows the high and low patterns of a drug abuser, and the end result is similar to drug use: the listener is hooked, despite the less than satisfying conclusion to the album.

1) Tical - Kung Fu and drugs, it starts off crazy
2) Biscuits - Hypnotic and playful, this is the beginning of the drug binge. This is the post-injection, initial high.
3) Bring the Pain - Full on tripping balls, seeing floating carrots and mystical double rainbows. It's straight up Super Troopers: "I'm freakin' out, man! Yes, you are freaking out...man"
4) All I Need - As the title suggests, there is fulfillment in this grungy ode to women who are fond of rampant drug use (mentioned multiple times). This is the final high after the first hit.
5) What the Blood Clot - With a hard piano line and abrasive shakes, one gets the feeling of a lottery ball being bounced and shoved around, careening off walls. An overall good track, but nowhere near the previous. The beginning of a nasty withdrawal.
6) Meth vs. Chef - An absolute trainwreck, MVC is just as bad as the second AVP (Aliens vs. Predators). If this album is a series of drug experiments, this is a snort of cyanide laced with false bravado.
7) Sub Crazy - Meth gets back on track with this darkly charismatic, head-bobber. There is an eerie, albeit slower, similarity to Biscuits. The Meth vs. Chef single was enough to need a second hit of Tical.
8) Release Yo' Delf - Featuring a ridiculous chorus by Blue Raspberry and a sample from "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, the Release Yo' Delf single is, in my opinion, the most catchy of the entire album. The feel is strong, powerful, triumphant, and the brass addition to the beat makes it almost regal. Like many drugs, this second high is better than the first (i.e. All I Need) and actually causes the addiction, but it's the first one that is remembered.
9) P.L.O. Style - Once the pinnacle of euphoria takes place, the crashing and tweaking is faster than ever. Nothing could be closer to the truth than P.L.O. Style, an affront to music that should be enough to press charges against contributors to this song.
10) I Get My Thang in Action - A little better than the previous atrocity, the high is expected now that you're hooked. Therein lies the catch to drug addiction and this album.
11) Mr. Sandman - There is a definite nostalgic feel to Mr. Sandman because it sounds like a track from the 1993 breakthrough album Enter the Wu-Tang, but it lacks the luster of this album's overall effort. As it was during that ensemble effort, Method Man stands out from the crowd, and this track is the third toke, something that dulls the edge but doesn't fulfill.
12) Stimulation - Effort is not lacking in the not-so-subtlely-named Stimulation, but satisfaction is. The third high didn't last long enough to prevent another injection, and this track feels like an unsuccessful effort to pump up the album, to reproduce previous success.
13) Method Man - Self-titled and spelled out ad nauseum, this is bare bones effort lacking anything other than a few clever rhymes. Nothing can satisfy me now that I'm hooked.
14) Bring the Pain (Remix) - Interesting because the listener has already tied off, but unlike the original song, this title is literal.
15) Release Yo' Delf (Remix) - Admittedly, this song has a VERY club-friendly beat, an infectious feel, and should have been a hit. The fact that it was buried at the end of the album just makes it the poorly thought out decision of a drug addict. Inertia from the original could have carried this song if it had replaced the wet dog smell left by P.L.O. Style.

A great album overall, it should be noted that the true success should be measured by a remix of "All I Need" that was performed a year later with Mary J. Blige. The song spread like wildfire, reaching number 3 on the charts, and created the feel good memory often associated with Meth's murky, cannabis smoking, hardcore performance.

NOTE: I have honestly never used a single drug, do not promote the use of any drugs, and everything I have learned about usage has been from music, movies, and drug prevention programs.