Released in November 1995, the album features all the members of Wu Tang, indicating the collaborative approach they have to their music. The title comes from a samurai film about a sword so thin that it can decapitate someone without their head leaving their neck. It reached number nine in the US, and went platinum in 2015, demonstrating its popularity with the pubic. It was critically acclaimed too, with many reviewers labelling it as equal to the best solo Wu projects.
The title track opens with a Samurai-based monologue from the film Shogun Assassin, thus conforming to the Wu Tang obsession. A very simple beat allows GZA to deliver his rhymes without being overshadowed, and with some support from RZA. Duel of the Iron Mic is one of the most complete tracks on the album, with a great piano riff and some captivating sound effects, the 4 members of Wu Tang, including ODB and Inspectah Deck, manage to build on each other's verses. Living in the World Today has a great little horn riff, but the Method Man/GZA combo doesn't quite work for me as I rarely ended up listening to the words, instead focusing on the overall sound. Gold has one of the best beats on the album, with an atmospheric production that trumps many of its contemporaries. GZA's lyrics are delivered in his usual calm, laid-back way, but with a strong narrative underpinning it. Cold World, the album's third single, has a sparse, dislocated sound to it, but I don't quite get why it was picked out as a single, although Chloe enjoyed it. Labels is a bit of a non-event for me, whereas 4th Chamber has a captivating beat and strong efforts from Ghostface Killah, RZA and Killah Priest. As GZA says himself - this one is more of a Wu track than a solo effort. Shadowboxin' has some of the most innovative samples on the record, with some great scratching introducing the track. Investigative Reports has the catchiest chorus, but it is B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) that is the standout song for me, with its accessible chorus, reflective lyrics and catchy as hell samples.
Overall it is a consistent album, but one that rarely hits the high points I was hoping for. It also has a lack of variety when compared to Fishscale, for example, with most of the songs following a similar sound. The acclaim for the album comes primarily from the lyrics, and in all honesty I find it hard to focus on the lyrics for the duration, focussing much more on the overall sound. On that front it is a good, and not great, album as the production is excellent, but ploughs the same furrow a bit too much for my liking.
Chloe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 5. Cold World
Olly's album rating: 6
Olly's favourite track: 13. B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
Next week we have 488. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret by Soft Cell. Yes, it contains Tainted Love.
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