Wu-Tang Clan Iron Flag CD Review - Method Man Ol' Dirty Bastard RZA

-REVIEW INTRO-

I've been a back and forth Wu-Tan fan since they burst onto the scene. I was all about "Enter the 36 Chambers," but "Forever" didn't do it for me. I was all about "Triumph" and a few other tracks, but it seemed like the Wu was starting to fade. Then "The W" came out and all hope in the Wu was removed from my heart. I was down with "Gravel Pit" and "Do You Really" but all in all the CD ate nuts. Will "Iron Flag" destroy what little Wu love I have left? Or can it reignite the killer bee passion?

-TRACK RUN-DOWN-

1. IN THE HOOD – A perfect opening for a Wu CD with some odd movie quotes and RZA talking some shit. As usual Bobby Digital's alterego sounds like a nearly complete idiot. He needs to stay behind the boards, not in front of the mic...please. Once he shuts up though, we get a solid track, that hopefully shows off what is to come.

Track Rating: $1.25

2. RULES – We got a glimpse of the new Wu with the "Gravel Pit" track off the last CD: bouncier beats but the same grimmy lyrics and flow that distanced Wu enough from the rest of the pack. They were different enough that they could actually title an album "Forever," and not look like complete idiots (cough Puffy cough). The new Wu = destined for commercial and street success just like in the past. And it's nice to hear the WTC attacks not being blamed on us, by so-called "political" rappers like Mos Def & similar marks. This track is an instant classic for Wu fans and dissenters alike.

"Who the fuck knocked our buildings down? Who the man behind the World Trade massacre? Step up now!"

"Together we stand, divided we fall, Mr. Bush sit down, I'm in charge of the war."

$5.00

3. CHROME WHEELS – Some of the few highlights off the last mini Wu album and RZA's "Digital Bullets" were tracks where RZA worked in some sweet ass female voices to go alongside the polar-opposite clan. The songs stood out as the only bright points on "Bullets," and he wisely brings 'em back on this album. Solid ass track.

$2.00

4. SOUL POWER (Black Jungle) – Oh my! Flavor Flav kicks off this track screaming Wu propaganda. Can you imagine a more recogonize voice than Mr. Big Clock? Flav's chants also supply the hook, in "Fight the Power" fashion. The beat is pretty univentive though, and gets tiresome after a while, especially after how well we've been treated beat-wise on the previous two tracks. The lyrics are complete quality though, which is somewhat depressing due to the shady backdrop.

$1.25

5. UZI (Pinky Ring) – Another somewhat annoying beat, but as always the Clan brings quality f-ing lyrics. Method Man and surprisingly RZA (in Bobby Digital) form take this track and haul it out of mediocrity. It's odd how Meth can still sound hungry on a Clan track, but can be as mainstream as Nelly when he wants to be. Quality track, just needs some breakups in the constant lyrical flow to keep ADD vicitims from losing interest.

$1.50

6. ONE OF THESE DAYS – I haven't loved a song this much on the first listen since Jay Z's "Ain't No Love." They are somewhat similar with their old school sample hook, and new school sweet ass bass line. I find it impossible to imagine someone who wouldn't consider this a shining example of what hip-hop "should be."

$3.50

7. Y'ALL BEEN WARNED – Think of this track as the 2002 version of "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin to Fuck With," the original being off the Clan's first CD. On this track Wu attempts to verbally restablish their power in the rap game, and you'd have a hard time arguing with them. It's not near as catchy as the song I previously mentioned, but if the entire song was as solid as the hook...damn.

"Gotta love my dogs, but ain't nothing like a good bitch."

"Y'all been warned about the killer bees on the swarm. You need to step, or get stepped upon."

$1.20

8. BABIES - This song tells a story about corrupt cops, mothers, and basically living life in the bad part of town. Nearly every Clan member has been putting a track like this one on all their albums. They're certainly tracks that deserve to be on albums, but they're nothing that I'm going to wear the CD out with. Good subject matter, just not compelling enough in my opinion.

$0.75

9. RADIOACTIVE (Four Assassins) – The Clan takes turn ripping verbal ass on this track. It's nothing more than a track designed to showcase their verbal abilities, and it does just that. There's no amazing beat, but it's certainly easy on the ears, and the scratching is nice. Solid Wu.

"Wu-Tang got ya', like every ghetto got a 'Tasha'"

"Ya'll niggas got some fucking nerve, to critic what I write, that's my motherfucking word. Blah Blah, like N'Sync, kick that ass Bye Bye."

$1.50

10. BACK IN THE GAME – A nice change of pace from the last track, with a more hook based track. RZA is continuing to prove that he's more than the one-dimensional bastard many thought him to be. This song's theme is pretty self-explanatory, but despite it's lack of originality it's still very, very nice.

"People say the Clan was missing since ya'll got dropped offa radio, overnight your whole style was biten."

$1.75

11. IRON FLAG - Oh god...another classic? Just when the CD was starting to go on cruise control we get an sweet-ass title track. This isn't something that's going to ever be a big radio hit, but every Wu fan will love this track more than any other on the CD. It doesn't have the immediate appeal of some of the other tracks on this CD, but trust me it's solid as hell. The only problem is about 3 minutes into the song it switches to some odd sort of chanting mini-song with the them of "Good thing we brought the glock!" If only this time would have been put more towards "Flag" and not this crap this song would have scored much higher. Instead it ends too early and gets easily ruined by some annoying garbage.

"Never leave home without it....good thing we brought the glock!"

$2.00

12. DASHING (Reasons) – A nice track to close up the CD where Wu proves that their members can tell some sweet stories. This CD proved to be solid from the first track to the beginning, completely devoid of filler. Perhaps that's because it's only a 12 track CD though. Either way, it kept me entertained.

$2.00