Amazon.com: This debut revolutionized hip-hop (and launched half a dozen solo careers), as much for The RZA's raw barrage of off-kilter, off-key loops and sound effects as for its elliptically violent lyrics. Martial arts--at least as they appear in kung fu movies--are the Wu-Tang Clan's favorite metaphor, but they're also the organizing principle of the group, a crowd of eight rappers, each with his own way-out-there "fighting style." They created their own little self-contained culture, with its own symbols and shifting identities, and let listeners figure it out for themselves. Unless you're willing to immerse yourself in its world, it can be baffling and a little dry, but its aggression and originality are undeniable. --Douglas Wolk
Album Description: Vinyl Classics reissue of the 1993 album comes as a vinyl look-a-like CD that's packaged in a die-cut, see-through Slipcase. BMG. 2005.
Album Details: Includes 'method Man (Skunk Remix)', Not Found on the Us Version.
Disc 1:
Shaolin Sword: Bring Da Ruckus
Shaolin Sword: Shame On A Nigga
Shaolin Sword: Clan In Da Front
Shaolin Sword: Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
Shaolin Sword: Can It Be All So Simple
Wu-Tang Sword: Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'
Wu-Tang Sword: Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit
The cornerstone of east coast hip hop I should not have to write a review for this album For this album compares to the Beetles White album or Mozart. what fans (and Non Fans) of the Wu-tang Clan do not really realize is this album was a necessity for the east coast during this time. a lot of artist and albums after Enter the 36 pretty much copied this formula of lyrics, Beat making, and even group affiliation. back then it was unheard of to have Nine Emcee's (who all had an exceptional level of skill) in a group. but since this album, you had the boot camp clique, Flipmode squad, terror squad, and the dirty dozen (commonly known as D 12). Lyrics took a dramatic turn to be way more metaphorical. Rhyme schemas were influenced, story telling became more dramatic, Beats became more raw & more complexed. Alot of producers today are Directly or indirectly influenced by the Rza. The rza was the first beat maker who put a singing samples over lyrics. He was also the first to infuse far eastern samples and sounds with raw hip hop drums and bass. I can go on for days about this album but for the people who have not heard this album it is O.K . because this is one of the great albums of the 20th cenutry that will be studied in furture years to come.
Torchbearers of the Golden Era If you think back, the years leading up all the way through the middle of 1993 had been dominated by the West Coast, and rightfully so.
You had one of the best beatmakers on either coast in Dr. Dre, produce an outright classic of an album (The Chronic). His protege (and probably the world's best known rap artist), Snoop Doggy Dogg goes on and produces another classic LP in " Doggystyle". Add to that mix urban film classics such as " Boyz N Da Hood" and "Menace To Society", and the West Coast owned the scene until...Wu-Tang Clan drops "Enter The Wu-Tang".
Now it must be said, "Enter" is far from a perfect album. As a matter of fact, I heard more miscues on this album then any album I could ever remember. For example, listen to the beginning of C.R.E.A.M. as Raekwon tries to initiate the song w/o the beat. They make up for this with raw energy, action packed rhymes, and innovative production.
That raw energy can be found early and often in songs like " Bring Da Ruckus" and " Shame On A N!&&@". Now, this album has an early intermission, but with that comes the classic "Can It All Be So Simple". This is one of those joints you just sit back to with a drink and just think about yesteryear.
The next two tracks do a great job of setting the stage for one of the best acronyms in the English speaking world with "C.R.E.A.M.". I mean, the song is perfect, from the lyrics to the hook, and don't get me started on the staggering piano loop. RZA's beats on this album are some of the genre's best.
Personally, I would rather have seen the album end with " Protect Ya Neck" instead of a weak song like " Part Two", but that's me being picky.
All in all, this is a good album that sets the stage for classic LP's such a Liquid Swords and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Cop it and see the progression I speak of.
overrated, overrated, overrated This is the first review that I have written for Amazon, yet I felt compelled to do so. I purchased 36 Chambers on the recommendation of almost everyone who has ever written a review; which is to say that almost everyone loves this CD. Let me start by saying that I am a huge student of rap music, have listened to almost every highly rated (and some not so highly rated) CD of the past 20 years, and continue to explore my collection daily. 36 Chambers is probably my least favorite. That is not to say that it's bad: I can see the merit in what it presents (especially lyrically). But to present this as a seminal work of rap makes no sense. The beats are predictable at best, sounding dated and irrelevant through many listens. C.R.E.A.M. is really the only song that carries a hook, albeit a very good one. What's missing from this album is production and flow. Lyrically, it's got some incredible storytelling behind it, but only on a few of the songs. Otherwise, I just found myself to be unimpressed and a little confused by all of the hype surrounding it. A five star review at Amazon should mean that the work is both accessable and exciting. It should both inspire and inform our world. This CD doesn't live up to it's reputation. At all...
My favorite CD's, for what it's worth:
Tupac - All Eyes On Me (No competition...Pick this up!!!) Dr Dre - Chronic 2001 Outkast - ATLiens and Southernplaylisticadillacmusik Mos Def - Black on Both Sides Notorious BIG - Ready to Die Jay Z - The Blueprint Tupac - Me Against The World Blackstar - Blackstar The Fugees - The Score The Roots - Phrenology
Since I am clearly in the minority of people that do not like 36 Chambers, I defer to all who came before me. Good Luck!!!
Greatest rap album ever Wu Tang Clan is the best rap group ever. This album came out when rap meant something and wasnt watered down like it is today. All nine members have a style all there own and they all blend well into the songs. I love the production from the RZA, he is one of the most under rated rap producers out there. I wish he'd get more credit for his work but oh well. There is not a weak track on this cd. I know the words to ever single song on the cd. A must for fans of real rap. Not todays rap because there might be some good rap out there (and thats a big might), its not as good as it was in 93 and 94.
A must have album: Hip Hop history in shining glory This album is in line with a few other greats:
Nas-Illmatic Notorious B.I.G-Ready to Die A Tribe Called Quest-Midnight Marauders Run DMC- Raising Hell
It's an absolute classic, I remember visiting new york for the first time, had just started skating and was really interested in hip hop, but was fed up with everything that was released (sadly all i heard was stuff like MC hammer before this album) having walked into a shop, the guy behind the counter gave me this album plus a few others and my life changed.
I remember listening to the beats being crude, raw and so unique. The lyrics blew me away since all i had heard before this was "going from london to the bank" to " first things first kid you're messing with the worst, imma come down on you like a f*ckin curse!" was a huge thing at that time ( i was 13 at the time). I remember coming back home and just listening to 36 chambers on tape over and over and bugged my parents to get me the cd.
Sadly over the years, moving from country to country i lost track of that cd, and eventually grew personally with my hip hop education, but whats so good about this album is that the msg remains the same, good music doesnt have to be what people or major labels HAVE to have it be.
This album was as big an influence on me as Led Zep's Coda,Tool's Undertow, Beatles Abbey Road, Hendrix'sAre You Experienced and the sex pistols Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols.
i know thats going over another genre, but for me they all played this important role in my life like enter the 36 chambers.
as an adult now i can turn around and listen to it and remember good days skate parks, graffitti and sneaking off with beers and telling a PE Teacher that "hut one hut two hut three hut! ol dirty B**tard live and uncut!" is acceptable language and that he should "shut yo a** up!" if he didnt like it.
instant classic, glad i bought it again and I will push this album onto my kids (if i ever have any) and skateboarding when they are old enough to see for themselves whats good and what they like.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
