01.01.2021

View Poll Results: Rate Legendary Weapons

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  • 5 Star Classic

    4 8.33%
  • 4 Star Banger

    32 66.67%
  • 3 Star Decent

    10 20.83%
  • 2 Star Boring

    1 2.08%
  • 1 Star Wack

    1 2.08%
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Thread: Legendary Weapons

  1. #1

    Default Legendary Weapons

    Legendary music, with the same legendary mistakes


    Although they didn't come right out and say it, or stamp a number 2 on the package, it is clear by the formula, production, and even the cover art, that Legendary Weapons is indeed the sequel to 2009's mildly successful Chamber Music. Backed once again by the Revelations, Legendary Weapons boasts an ambiance of dark lush overlays melded with crisp live percussion and oddly intriguing samples. There is substance there, much more than the casual listener could pick up. It is in this that Legendary Weapons really shines, the production alone demands multiple listens, which in turn leads to understanding of the lyrics, at times incredibly fun and sometimes potent. That's the good.

    Where 'LW' suffers, is in the same way that other recent offerings from the Clan have suffered, and have caused grumblings from the elitist fans, who expect nothing less than Liquid Swords in each and every release. The album is too short. The album feels rushed. The album lacks all the Clan members. The album reuses verses on some tracks, and feels 'cut and pasted' on others. Undoubtedly this will be the bulk of the negative sentiment...and the haters would be right.

    That alone however, does not make it a terrible album. Some, if not most, of the mistakes are forgivable, especially to the casual listener. Nitpickers will surely notice Inspectah Deck's reused lyrics from Manifesto's 'Really Real". if they bothered to listen to it, and have already commented about RZA's lack of energy on '225 Rounds'. Oh well. You can't win 'em all. Structurally, 'Weapons' is surely a more cohesive album than it's predecessor, which saw interludes narrated by RZA after each and every track. You got the feeling of "Oh we're doing this again?" after each song was over. 'LW' has a few skits spattered here and there, but none take away from cohesion. It flows smoothly from beginning to almost end, where RZA's solo track is mired by terrible production. If you're making an iTunes playlist, you can delete that track now, unless you like the shrill sound of Casio brass.

    As I have always said, Wu-Tang is like a buffet. There is so much, that you can just take what you want and leave the rest. Legendary weapons is no exception to this rule. Some stuff is Alaskan King Crab, and some is crusty three-day-old pudding. It all depends on what you're in the mood for.


    Start the Show

    An opener is supposed to imbue the overall theme of an album, guiding the listener on a journey to what's to come. Start the Show, while feeling indeed like an opener, doesn't feel like the opener to this album, rather an old school late 80's battle rap album. The lyrics are good, bordering on great, and the Wu-nostalgia is in full effect, but this is way to light and fluffy for what is about to come.

    Laced Cheeba

    Pure unadulterated nastiness. Laced Cheeba features one of the greatest guest appearances in recent memory thanks to the brash lyrical musings of Sean P. Ghost and Trife are equal to the task and provide equitable backing, but it's Sean P.'s "Everybody get paid, everybody get laid, all these bitches dirty, everybody got AIDS..." line that stands out most on the song, if not the whole album. Overlayed soft percussion with ambient samples makes this sound hard as hell, although on paper, it probably shouldn't.

    Diesel Fluid

    Say what you want about Trife Diesel, (and most fans do, unfairly) but his punchlines, flow and material are all top notch. It's his nasally high-pitched vocals that are the bane of his existence, and if you can allow yourself to forgive that, what you have is one hell of an entertaining rapper. Method Man and Cappadonna join Trife on Diesel Fluid, a self conscious look at ghetto life from the perspective of both the criminal and the victim. Trife's pitch is tuned down for the hook, which works really well. "My flow be on steroids, that shit that Barry took."

    The Black Diamonds

    An elegant piano loop and mesmerizing amped up lyrics from Ghost and a newly prison released Killa Sin aren't enough to call this a classic, especially with mush mouth Roc Marciano ruining things on the bridge verse. His verse is barely intelligible and does nothing to bolster the strength of the production and lyrics. If anything, he does the exact opposite.

    Legendary Weapons

    The title track is legendary. No joke. There is so little going on, and yet, somehow the song never feels empty. From the scratch and paste Premiere-esque bridge, to the oddly addicting vibrating Asian strings, to the Golden era feel of Ghost, AZ, and M.O.P. destroying several bars at a time, Legendary weapons is a song that will grow...and grow...and grow on you, like a fungus.

    Never Feel This Pain

    Although out of place, and featuring re-used lyrics by Inspectah Deck, Never feel This Pain manages to stand out for it's very Wu-Tang backing samples and smooth hook by Tre Williams. U-God is hilarious at times, especially when he drops his "she says I'm a slob" line.

    Drunk Tongue

    When fans talk about an album being rushed, and a lack of motivation, it would seem to be tracks like this they are talking about. A Killa Sin platform essentially, the track is a just over two minute solo, with no window dressing what-so-ever. Perhaps it could have used some. We all know Sin spent the last few years behind bars for gun-running, so you could reasonably expect he would have a lot to say. Yet, this feels like a rush out the door freestyle, too plain and too short to be spectacular, as Killa Sin typically is known for.

    225 Rounds

    One of, if not the best, tracks on the album. Four verses of solid fire, backed by a slightly off key piano riff and blaring trumpets. Cappadonna reminds of Winter Warz, with a verse that seems to go on Ad infinitum, U-God is his recently new fantastic self, Bronze manages to show he can do more than produce, and RZA, well RZA is RZA. Maybe not hyped like a 25 year old, but intelligent and succinct, especially when he spews lines like..."meditating, never jealous, overzealous, Wu-Tang Clan's my fellowship, fans mash up a capellas of our lyrics with Beatle tracks embellishes/ the idea clearer that Wu-tang's forever/ this/ way of life is art rhymes and cleaverness/ enjoined by God, no man could sever this/" If you can find four lines that better simplify the Wu-Tang saga, I'd like to hear 'em.

    Meteor Hammer

    Unbelievable let down after 225 Rounds. Terminology isn't bad, but Action Bronson is terrible. Thankfully Ghostface saves the introduction, or there would be nothing listenable here. The beat is cartoonish and sloppy, almost like elephants and ants on see-saws...incredibly unbalanced.

    Only the Rugged Survive

    I want to listen to enjoy RZA's lyrics, but this beat makes it simply impossible. I would be embarrassed to play this in public. Somebody might think I'm strangling a duck.


    In terms of comparison, Legendary weapons is a slightly better album than Chamber Music, only because that album is so poorly constructed. Individual tracks slide way in favor of Chamber Music, which managed to string together nothing but bangers or better. Radiant Jewels was one of the best tracks of 2009, and perhaps the title track, Laced Cheeba, or 225 Rounds will be regarded the same way in 2011. 4/5th's of Legendary Weapons is enjoyable. I'll leave it to you, to decide which 5th to dump.

    40 total points/10 tracks = 4.0/5


    No deductions for skits, which don't bring down the album at all.
    Last edited by brock; 07-22-2011 at 12:13 AM.

  2. #2
    PRODIGAL SUN
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    horrendously wack review.

    you have shitty ears.

  3. #3

    Default

    Thanks random nobody.

  4. #4
    The Cooker Mista JpKoff's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dret.izm View Post
    horrendously wack review.

    you have shitty ears.
    plus one

    STREET CORNER, by MANO

  5. #5
    kamouflage
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    Quote Originally Posted by mista jpkoff View Post
    plus one
    +2
    Boom Bap Mafiozos " C.R.A.C.K."

    http://www.myspace.com/boombapmafiozos

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by beautifulrock View Post
    Thanks random nobody.
    oh yeah i forgot opinions dont mean shit if you dont spend your life on wu corp.

  7. #7

    Default

    Perhaps you could go into more detail, rather than just give a vague insult and then leave. I gave the album a 4, I didn't trash it. I was honest with what was wrong and pointed out the things I thought were really good. I get the feeling that all you read was the title, posted that shit and left solely on the basis of my e-reputation. If you have a differing opinion, I'd like to hear it, because I get all the trolling I need in Gen chat. I'm here to debate and recognize the merits and deficiencies of the album.

  8. #8
    Killer Bob claaa7's Avatar
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    good review B-Rock, i agree with what most of what you said. i for one actually like the RZA track at the end, it's no "NYC Crack" but it's a pretty neat joint anyways.



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  9. #9

    Default

    I'd give it a 3.5...it's nice, but it's lacking something both musically (some of the beats are too plain and sound cheesy to me) and in terms of lyrical diversity...i'll need to listen to it more before i can pinpoint where i feel it falters.

    love 'black diamonds' though.

  10. #10

    Default

    I agree with that. But I'll say this, while some of the production sounds cheesy, there are tracks like 225 Rounds, Laced Cheeba, and Legendary Weapons where the production blows me away. Black Diamonds too...that production makes me want to call it a classic, but like I said, I hate Roc Marcy on his verse. I think a lot of people will be scoring it the way you did P. Anybody who has a problem with the brevity of Wu-Massacre or the cut-and-paste feel of Fishscale will inevitably take issue with this album. A few of the guests don't shine, like nearly all did on Chamber Music. It's definitely not perfect.
    Last edited by brock; 07-22-2011 at 12:40 PM.

  11. #11

    Default

    ^ I think I'll end up liking this more than Chamber. May have listened to this more already. Kind of left me cold did CM - maybe an lp where the whole is less than the parts.Legendary weapons seems much more of a whole. Not a classic but solid. Like the RZA track and Meteor hammer a lot btw - but good review above.

    (I've addeed Fresh from the Morgue to it on itunes - fits in well. A bummer that GZA and MK not on the lp though).

  12. #12
    Veteran Member morgan's Avatar
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    some amazing tracks, verses and beats. well impressed. banger

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by beautifulrock View Post
    Perhaps you could go into more detail, rather than just give a vague insult and then leave. I gave the album a 4, I didn't trash it. I was honest with what was wrong and pointed out the things I thought were really good. I get the feeling that all you read was the title, posted that shit and left solely on the basis of my e-reputation. If you have a differing opinion, I'd like to hear it, because I get all the trolling I need in Gen chat. I'm here to debate and recognize the merits and deficiencies of the album.
    haha. e-reputation???? the fuck?

    i dont give a fuck about "e-reputation" i just didint like your review.

    edit: just saw your messages and yes i read your review and yes i have listened to the album.... many times
    Last edited by dret.izm; 07-22-2011 at 09:43 PM.

  14. #14
    SupaSelekta tekunique's Avatar
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    b-rock the wu-review champ at it again lol what up man, been a while yeah ? i will read the review after i listen to the album first. need to burn it and listen in the car on blast.

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dret.izm View Post
    haha. e-reputation???? the fuck?

    i dont give a fuck about "e-reputation" i just didint like your review.

    edit: just saw your messages and yes i read your review and yes i have listened to the album.... many times
    So what according to you did I get wrong? Care to elaborate?

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