Sach O’s an old Mafia Don from back when.
“10 Bricks”
66. We already touched on “10 Bricks,” but it’s worth restating that this is easily one of the album’s highlights.
“The Fat Lady Sings”
67. If this album has one major fault it’s that it’s exhausting. A track like “The Fat Lady Sings” would have thrilled on the first half, much like “Baggin Crack” or “Canal Street” but by now it feels a little redundant. The original Cuban Linx already tips the scales at 18 tracks, this one’s 24 if you count the bonus joints.
68. What the hell is the background beat in the opening skit? And why didn’t they rap over it?
69. This skit sets up the song perfectly, in fact it’s almost as interesting as the song itself despite the flimsy Jamaican antagonist.
70. Despite a rather average beat, this is one of Rae’s more vivid rhymes on the album. Kind of works as CL2’s “Spot Rusherz”.
71. Gillette Soldier! Shorty hit the neck!
“Catalina”
72. I’ll probably get heat for this but I absolutely love “Catalina.” Dr. Dre’s heavy piano keys may not fit into the album’s aesthetic, but they add color and the tropical vibe works way better than it has any right to. Or maybe I’m just happy to hear a dope rapper on one of his tracks after years of Curtis and Jayceon.
73. The Killer skit at the beginning is probably the best use of a movie sample on the album. Very clever.
74. This should have been the album’s first single, but I assume Dre fronted once Rae was off Aftermath. Incidentally, dropping Rae? Stupid move.
75. Lyfe Jennings’ hook is a textbook example of how to use R&B in a rap song without sacrificing griminess. Harmony doesn’t have to be a bad thing as long as it doesn’t compromise the overall vibe.
“We will rob you”
76. Who the hell teaches you Kung Fu? Your Master must be an ignorant idiot as well! OK, maybe THIS is the best use of a movie sample on the album. I stand corrected.
77. So this is the beat Gza’s son produced? Nice work. Ghost actually used a way lazier flip on this sample back on Bulletproof Wallets but this feels like a real Wu banger.
78. Slick Rick has provided hooks for two of my favorite albums this year (Mos Def’s Ecstatic being the other one). Take note rappers: he’s probably cheaper than T-Pain.
79. Most Wu-Tang joints feel cold and empty, like a rainy night. This one is hectic and jam packed, the background vocals really contribute to the tension and the feeling that shit is about to pop off at the block party.
80. Did someone spike Gza’s coffee before he spit this? I haven’t heard him spit something this live in years? Incidentally, now’s a good time to mention how relieved I am that this sounds nothing like Legend of the Liquid Sword.
81. I’ve got mixed feelings about the Queen interpolation. On one hand recycling 70’s rock hooks is Hip-Hop as fuck but on the other hand, it’s Queen. I’ll let this slide.
82. What the fuck? I thought this was a story track? Then Masta Killa comes in and starts spitting 5% knowledge and shouting out Clan members. Sort of random, I wanted to know how they got away from those cops.
83. Speaking of Masta Killa, folks are comparing this album to No Said Date. While I’m a fan of MK’s debut, the production and rhymes don’t quite touch what Rae’s working with. He’s a dope emcee, but he shines in these quick 16 bar verses, not over the course of a full-length album.
“About me”
84. This was one Dre track too much. I like the oooooOOOoooh vocals but frankly, it’s unnecessary and doesn’t really add anything to the proceedings. I guess there’s some sort of rap law wherein you can’t turn down Dr. Dre production.
85. Thing is, even on what’s essentially a throwaway, Rae absolutely rips it. Say what you want about Dre, he gets great takes out of his collaborators.
86. I guess Busta Rhymes’ verse is a remnant of the days where he was executive producing the album. Thank God that didn’t go down. Seriously though, this isn’t nearly as good as his verse on “The Heist.”
“Mean Streets”
87. “Mean Streets” also could have been cut. Dude should have gone straight from “We Will Rob You” to “Kiss the Ring” and had the album weigh in at a crisp 20. Maybe Ghost could have kept this one.
88. How is it that the DJ Mathematics track out-bombasts Dr Dre’s beat?
89. Deck runs away with this one. It’s far past time that a qualified veteran producer (The Beatnuts? Diamond D?) help this man put together the great record he’s always been capable of. Just make sure the rest of the Clan gets in on it.
90. This is the third reference Ghost makes to getting head on the album. Only Built for Porno flicks.
“Kiss the Ring”
91. Only Built for Cuban Linx ended on a melancholic note but the sequel is more celebratory. Ironically, it feels like they’re celebrating the fact that they actually managed to release this album as much as a successful heist.
92. Rza got Elton John to personally clear the sample. This raises the possibility that Rza, Quentin Tarentino and Elton John hang around and smoke weed in California.
93. This beat shouldn’t work, but somehow does if you ignore Dipset’s raping of chipmunk sould earlier this decade.
94. The Wu-Tang logo splashed on all the dishes. I must have missed this particular Wu branded product.
95. Masta Killa’s verse sounds as if he’s retelling the story years later. Nice touch.
96. And the album slowly fades into the distance (until the bonus cuts, which I won’t be covering). For what it’s worth, I suggest you all buy a copy of the album. A vote for Raekwon is a vote for well crafted Hip-Hop that isn’t rushed into the marketplace at the expense of quality.
