Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - 4 stars

I read a lot of hype (more on the hype later) on this CD for a long time, but had never bought it until December 2008. I think that's an important consideration when rating this CD as I think the artists have evolved (generally becoming better) since then, so I've weighted the rating to account for this.

Some of the track highlights include:
Knuckleheads - While the beat and lyrics feel a bit dated, it's a pretty decent jam.
Criminology - Should have found a way to carry the chorus' wailing horns through the entire song. Other than that, the track is ok.
Rainy Dayz - The best track on the CD. Relevant and smooth even today. One of Rza's best beats ever. And that's sayin' something...
Guillotine Swordz - "A poisonous Rebel like Deck, you can't avoid this." Rebel INS my favorite Wu rapper, how can I not like this jam?!
Spot Rusherz - Classic Wu sound, well done.
Ice Cream - This Ice Cream is better than Haggen Daz or Ben & Jerry's.
Wu-Gambino's - Second best track on the CD. The Wu family come together to lay lyrics to an instant Wu-Tang classic.

I've read that this is one of the best CD solo albums released by the Wu-Tang Clan. Well, maybe when it was released it was (there was only one or two others prior to Cuban Linx, right?), but I think that is very arguable today. There have been a lot of solid releases since Cuban Linx. Still, I think it merits its high praise and hype - this CD doesn't disappoint. December 30, 2008

Lost for Words

I bought the purple tape @ J & R Music World back in '95, and I rushed home tearing off the plastic wrapper. I inserted the tape in my boom box, hit play, and I was in a trance. I was open, I was in love w/the purple tape. I would come home from school and listen to the purple tape every single day. I am surprised the tape didn't pop. My father hated that album b/c I played it everyday for a month str8. memories. November 14, 2008

INCREDIBLE ALBUM !!

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE TALKING SILLY.



THIS IS A CLASSIC LIKE NO OTHER!

DROPED OVER TEN YEARS AGO , THIS ABLUM

IS STILL CONSISTENT IN ALL MY PLAYERS October 25, 2008

Verbal Intercourse

I remember when the only Wu Tang albums I owned were; 36 Chambers, Method Man's Tical, and GZA's Liquid Swords, and Beneath The Surface. I was aware of how big their discography is (when combined together is roughly around 45 albums)and was a little intimidated to go far into it. Eventually I had no choice. It got to the point where ALL I listened to were these albums (especially Liquid Swords) and I needed more. When you only own the few that I did, and know you're gonna end up getting most, if not all of their albums (including solo) there's several roads to take to travel further. I was about to get Wu Tang Forever, but decided to bypass, and get Cuban Linx, even though I'd never heard a song off it beforehand. On first listen, it didn't hit as instantly, and directly as Liquid Swords, but me and a few of my friends (who were newbies to this album as well)listened to it atleast 5 times that night. If I could compare my experience with this to anything, it'd be to a very strong hallucinogenic drug. You administer the chemical, and expect ALOT, but right away your expectations aren't so much let down, but they're not quite fullfilled. Then BLAM! It kicks in, and hits like a tone of bricks. Harder than you could have ever imagined. RZA's production, Rakekwon's story telling, Ghostface appearing on 90% of the album, the guest spots - especially Nas's verse on Verbal Intercourse. The more you let your brain obsorb this, the more you realize why so many people love this. For the last few years I've listened to this nonstop (as well as other Wu albums) which I can indeed say, this was well worth every penny I paid.

A BIG mistake people make, is expecting all Wu Tang albums (solo, or group) to sound the same. If you have this mentality, you obviously don't understand Wu Tang (which explains all negative reviews people left for this) People think, just because this is a classic Wu album, that it's gonna be EXACTILY like 36 Chambers, or whatever their favorite Wu album is.


I can't reccomend this album enough. Go get it if you don't own it. Do it. August 13, 2008

Wow.

This album is the best Wu joint to ever be released. Point blank. There is not a song on here that you can really skip thru, IF you are keen on the Wu (RZA) sound. If you are not, then maybe you shouldn't cop a listen. I would not expect the newer generation to appreciate this magnum opus but that is essentially what it is:

1. Heaven and Hell
2. Glaciers of Ice
3. Verbal Intercourse
4. Incarcerated Scarfaces
5. Ice Cream
6. Rainy Dayz
7. Guillotine
8. Wu-Gambinos

That is my list of favorites even though I can put the CD in my CD player and never touch a single button other than to PLAYBACK. In my opinion, this is the number 1 Wu album followed by Liquid Swords AND THEN their first release. It would seem that I am putting the carriage before the horse, but it actually goes to show just how much RZA and the Wu bangers had progressed with each year because after Liquid Swords, the albums just were not the same again (Ironman is the last great album, IMO). In order to appreciate this album, you've probably got to be 26 and older. '94, '95, and '96 were the best years in hip hop and this was the crown jewel of '95 (late '94). The making of a brand. May 9, 2008

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