Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon
Wu-Massacre
Def Jam
March 30

By Matt Kiernan

Wu-Massacre is the result of the teaming up of Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, and is an album that’s nothing new for the rappers, but one that’s enjoyable to hear from members of the legendary rap group.

Being produced by Wu member RZA, the rapper and producer uses R&B tracks from the 1970s to sample from and loop throughout the tracks that are lesser known, but great older songs.

The rappers have said that the record isn’t a Wu-Tang release, but one that was meant to be an album written by a separate group.

“Criminology 2.5” is a hard-hitting opener to the album and is pleasantly dense in lyrics for being just over two minutes long. Ghostface and Method tell the life of being a criminal that includes killing competitors and snitches in a dog-eat-dog world that has every man looking out for himself.

“Our Dreams,” uses the late Michael Jackson’s track “We’re Almost There,” off the 1975 album Forever, Michael, for very soulful singing in between raps of the three artists talking about a man and woman looking to the future in a relationship that can be dysfunctional.

The smooth rap, “Miranda,” starts off with the tunefully strained voice of soul singer Linda Jones from the song “Let It Be Me,” for a song that’s about a highly sexual and attractive woman.

The two comedic skits on the album, “Ya Moms,” and “How to Pay Rent,” aren’t very humorous but are worth giving a listen just to hear the rappers and comedian Tracy Morgan pal around.

The album is strong in its lyrics, but lacks the hooks and magic that’s found on the artists’ other records. While this may be the case, Wu-Massacre is a wonderful addition to fans’ of the rappers collections and is nice to hear the rappers back together again.