[Album Stream] WU-TANG CLAN "A BETTER TOMORROW"

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12-05-2014, 05:57 PM
Makadocious

this album grew on me, not a classic but a GOOD album
12-05-2014, 11:28 PM
derek41

Just got a chance to listen to this album a couple of spins in a row. It's too bad I proceeded this album with 36 seasons, because 36 season is so so so far superior to this album. I was actually embarrassed for the Wu on half of the album. Necklace was dope, but nothing else on here made me feel that Wu sound that I am fending for. 36 Seasons was just a crazy album to me. Kool G Rap and Az held their guest spots down to the fullest and Monch brought an incredible verse. This album sounds sounds way more Wu than ABT. I have to say that i am thoroughly disappointed by this shit. I don't post on this site often, but had to put my opinions out on this. 5 out of 10 for ABT. 9 out of 10 for 36 Seasons. Nuff Said
12-06-2014, 02:33 AM
zooruka

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cilvaringz

I can understand if people were thrown back by the Disney-esque vocals on Miracle, but it doesn't kill the entire fucking song. I personally love it, I have no problem with Disney, Pocha muthafucking Hontas had some bad ass songs, can't front. And that's not Nathaniel, it's a guy called Will who works a lot with RZA. It's well sung and the lyrics is tight. It's minor key, it's dark, it's 4th Disciple shit. Like someone said before, if Blue Raspberry sung the shit we'd be all over it. Me personally, I would've called Blue and Tekitha as well, I love their shit, but I'm sure RZA had his reasons. On OATIS we used Blue, Tekitha and one other vocalist. But i honestly don't get the hate.

You can't convince me that Wu-Tang Clan has ever made a wack album. The problem is, they have done so much incredible shit that a dope album, or even an averagely dope album is labeled a failure. You either produce greatness or it's a fail. It's like Jordan scoring 20 points instead of 50. It's still better than most players, but because it's Jordan it's considered a bad game.

That's the gift and curse of Wu-Tang I think. You can't tell me 8D was wack, nor Iron Flag and definitely not The W. The problem is that expectations are so high when it comes to the Clan, that 90% of the time you're going to have to deal with disappointments, and then months later the albums start growing on people and start making more sense. Not everybody, but a significant amount of nay sayers.

Trust me, I'm one of yall Wu-Tang die hards, as I have always been. But the thing I'm starting to see reading everybody's opinions and reviews, is not that it's bad album at all, it's that maybe it was the wrong album to drop at this time, and that its different approach is not easily accepted because of the negativity that surrounded the making of the album. If this was a live type of album Wu-Tang had made in between while working on a sample based album, nobody would've been mad. Matter of fact, everybody would've been jumping on the positive aspects of this album and not so much on the negative. But because that wasn't the case, because it could likely be the very last Clan album, because it sounds different (certain songs), because it was flaunted by negative press and stories, it became something you looked at differently. But in all reality, the album is great and far greater than a whole bunch of shit released this year.

No

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadda

"I'm trying to bring the "Sexy Back" like Timbaland and Timberlake"

Bwhhahahahahahahah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mumm Ra

I thought Meth was getting worse by the year

He is
12-06-2014, 05:43 AM
noel411

The only good thing about this record is Nathaniel.
12-06-2014, 08:30 AM
redz

One thing that is clear about this album is.......

Raekwon was right!! All these years Rae has been the posterboy of hate in this forum but it is now clear that all this time he was right. To make things worse it is clear from the few verses that he spat on this album that he is back to his immobilarity flow!

Rza is cutting a figure of a 50 year old empty nester as he realises all his children no longer need his strict direction. His stubbornness to compromise with the other members not financially but creatively has hurt the group's music.

THE ALBUM

The album itself has solid foundations. Lyrics are on point the basic instrumentals are really good. But some of the addtions by Rza are horrendous and ruin what could have been a classic album by modern standards.

- This album is three albums in one. He should have stuck to one direction.
The three different parts a) "live" instrumental songs e.g Ruckus, Mistaken Identity, Ron Oneal
b) Classic Wutang Necklace, Pioneer the frontier, Keep Watch, Miracle
c) Socio concious tracks Never Let Go A Better Tomorrow etc.
What I don't understand is why if he had spent so many years crafting the music did he not do the whole album as live instrumental ish. I actually don't think the these songs are bad at all.

- I don't like the songs Hold the Heater, Felt, Family Reunion and they should not be on the album. They lack energy.

- Pioneer the Frontier and Crushed Egos should be posse cuts with all members included on them.

- Miracle is odd. I don't think the singing is the problem I think a better more soulful RNB voice would be better. Also the singing sounds so cut and pasted there is no progression from the singer during the verses as well. The hook is sung way too much throughout this song as well.

- Rza does too many hooks himself as well on this album. Rae and Meth are excellent at doing hooks.

- 4oth street black is a good song with good energy I like it! But again the hook sucks!

- The sequencing of the album is weird. I think the live instrumental songs should come first, the classic wu songs in the middle and concious songs on the end. Therefore, the lively tracks are at the start, and the slower songs towards the end.

- Pioneer the Frontier coiuld have been oso much better if the track started from InS's verse instead.
CONCLUSION

Rza has good intentions and vision but his execution is failing for years. He needs to delegate his vision to the other producers who appear to be better skilled. at production and mixing than Rza. Those producers being 4th, Math and True (if available).

Rza has not yet discovered his own magic formula for live insrumentation. However, all he has to do is look no further than Dj Preemo. His Production on Pryhme is stellar.

I think deep down Rza must know this is not his best wrk. I think he should try to release another wu album in a few months time as he did with Iron Flag. On this album he should allow other members to add creatively and I am sure we would get a better sounding album.
12-06-2014, 08:39 AM
zooruka

Quote:

Originally Posted by redz

One thing that is clear about this album is.......

Raekwon was right!! All these years Rae has been the posterboy of hate in this forum but it is now clear that all this time he was right.

I don't know if he was right ????? To me Wu tang need to come together like valtron "One mind and one common cause" to make a dope album. They haven't done that since Wu tang Forever IMO.
12-06-2014, 11:22 AM
Rev Jones

Quote:

Originally Posted by redz

To make things worse it is clear from the few verses that he spat on this album that he is back to his immobilarity flow!

I'm assuming you mean this in a good way. While I thought a lot of the beats on Immobilarity sucked, Rae's lyrics were on point. As they are on ABT.
12-06-2014, 12:08 PM
redz

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooruka

I don't know if he was right ????? To me Wu tang need to come together like valtron "One mind and one common cause" to make a dope album. They haven't done that since Wu tang Forever IMO.

Don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of Rza but he needs to dictate direction and he has excellent ideas. But he needs to trust those around him to execute them. I think the clan can form again but the key to it is making good music. I mean who is Rza's quality control? When he played the album for people to hear in his circle who allowed him include those hooks. ( I am talking about label people not the clan) The singers can sing but they sound out of place on these songs. Its like when Rza had this weird obsession with the singer Thea even tho everybody knew she did not fit wu records.

BTW I am only saying he was right about Rza's ability to consistently pump out top quality beats. I still don't agree with the way Rae has demanded money.
12-06-2014, 12:16 PM
redz

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th state

I'm assuming you mean this in a good way. While I thought a lot of the beats on Immobilarity sucked, Rae's lyrics were on point. As they are on ABT.

Yep this is what I am saying. Please see the link below.

http://www.wutang-corp.com/forum/new...reply&p=908486
12-06-2014, 12:21 PM
redz

Gotta say having listened to the album it is def better than 8d. 8D was unlistenable and the only wu album I have never bought and dont even consider buying. This album is definitely better than 8D
12-06-2014, 01:19 PM
fortyglock

The first impression for this album is better than that for 8 Diagrams. I think this one has a decent balance between harder tracks with that Wu sound and tracks with the experimental, live vibe RZA was striving for. Also lyrically this album is on point for the most part. It's growing on me since I first heard it.

Ron O Neal is one track that's grown on me a fair bit. When it first came out I didn't care much for it. I'm still not a fan of the hook but the verses are cool and the beat is growing on me.
12-06-2014, 09:04 PM
Rev Jones

ABT recording sessions pics finally surface

RZA suggests first hook to Cappadonna for what is to become 'Ron O'Neal'.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1...p3reo1_500.jpg

Cappadonna says the hook is too intelligent for 2014, insists they dumb it down "cuz I don't want another Wu Forever debacle on my hands."

Apparently, Cappadonna is familiar with the term 'debacle' - you pick up a few things while driving gypsy cabs you see.

Note subtly left at the studio when Raekwon is about to lay down his first verses...

http://www.drunktiki.com/wp-content/...om-371x500.jpg

Rae decides to pass it on to Icewater since they might have more use for it.

RZA just told the gang he's "taking it back to 1993 on this record".

http://media.tumblr.com/9a32a353792c...40C1qdmjt0.jpg

Raekwon wants less live instrumentation, RZA ain't having it.

http://i.imgur.com/OBYUEgE.jpg

'Big Horn' gets left off the album, Rae makes sure we only get to hear Uey's and Cappa's verse on Doombot Rex errr Boombot Rex.

RZA explains he's done with that same old same old sound.

http://outrightgeekery.files.wordpre...12/dr-doom.jpg

Cappa argues Wu posse cuts bring out the best in him. Clan quickly decides to side with RZA on this one.

RZA being passive aggressive toward U-God, guess 'Hillside Scramblers' will never be forgotten.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/cf2334a9...dumfo1_500.jpg

U-Godzilla promises to step up his lyrical game.

ABT recording sessions drag on because of RZA's incessant video conferences with Ringz on 'OUATIS'. RZA has 'a difficult relationship' with art, says OUATIS acronym has too many vowels, Ringz should pull the plug on the "artsy fartsy project" and dump it in the desert. Ringz comparing albums to paintings fails to impress RZA.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...om/Renoir3.jpg

While on a neverending quest for a hairdresser who can finally get his hair right dubstep misfit Skrillex comes across a tin box in said desert. For some strange reason CashRules, CharlesJones, WuBizzie and Admiral Crumple are all traveling with Skrillex. This must be Up With People 2014. Islord gets there right in time to snatch the box away from Skrillex so he can finally add his masterpiece verse to 'OUATIS', hoping to impress Graveyard Digger with it.

http://s29.postimg.org/ffyk5wx6f/Skr..._Tang_Clan.jpg

Islord fails to do so - that is in his nature.

RZA pitches his Mariah Carey featured Xmas album to Warner Bros, parts of which end up on 'Miracle'.

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...Santa_Doom.jpg

RZA calls Tekitha, says he only needs her on background vocals for ABT, buried way deep in the mix. "And no, Mariah is doing the Wu Christmas album and that's final!!!" When Tekitha starts sobbing he threatens to call Thea instead, lawsuit be damned.

http://thepreviewreviewing.weebly.co...1_orig.jpg?499

GZA has an attitude, wants to dump his 'Dark Matter' verses on ABT songs since he's run out of ways to describe the universe and can't finish his solo album. Insists "big words is what Wu-Corp fans love and everybody knows I got Wu-Corp's back so RZA you better watch ya front". RZA threatens to kneecap him but in the end he gives in.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...7/doomreed.jpg

RZA envies Black Knights' megaselling 'Medieval Chamber' album, pitches a King Arthur themed concept song to Ghostface for ABT to replace 'Necklace' at the last minute.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lEWUkGON4L...s-Dr-Doom2.jpg

Ghost threatens to do another 'Wizard of Poetry' album cuz fuck a medieval tune, RZA grudgingly gives in saying "I don't want you to tarnish the Wu legacy, Deini."

To add insult to injury RZA has to put up with surprise visits from his number one Internet fan and "on line promoter" C-NO Evil and his Rodentz posse who pester him with questions about his studio gizmos.

http://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/...8967407660.jpg

Security is severely lacking at the Wu Mansion, Shawn muhfuckin' Wiggs breaks into the studio, tells RZA he's got better hooks than 'bong bong'.

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/simonryker2.jpg

Ghost gets rid of him by sending him off to a poker tournament. Damn, tournament, Ghost might be getting into this medieval stuff after all.

Cappa seizes the opportunity amidst all this chaos, says he wants to be paid "on a verse to verse basis". RZA puts him in his place, says he'll match him a dollar on every copy sold of 'The Cappatalize Project'.

http://www.the-isb.com/images/SSS-Lightsaber02.jpg

Judging from his pajamas Cappa eats, sleeps, prays at the Wu Mansion, on a desperate mission to clock in as many verses on ABT as possible - no Killah Priest 'debacle' for him.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiD_2v7DNq...1240157314.jpg

All in a day's work for Bobby Boulders.
12-06-2014, 09:16 PM
TheWuSepticTank

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooruka

I don't know if he was right ????? To me Wu tang need to come together like valtron "One mind and one common cause" to make a dope album. They haven't done that since Wu tang Forever IMO.

This
12-06-2014, 09:29 PM
TheWuSepticTank

Quote:

Originally Posted by redz

Gotta say having listened to the album it is def better than 8d. 8D was unlistenable and the only wu album I have never bought and dont even consider buying. This album is definitely better than 8D

Cosign.
12-06-2014, 09:59 PM
Soulless

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooruka

I don't know if he was right ????? To me Wu tang need to come together like valtron "One mind and one common cause" to make a dope album. They haven't done that since Wu tang Forever IMO.

What do you mean you don't know if he was right? Rae said pretty much the same thing you just did.