Method Man: Tical 2000: Judgement Day : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Five years ago. The Wu-Tang clan B side "Method Man" announced Meth's arrival on the scene like he was a rap superhero. His full-length debut, Tical, followed the next year, proving that this Wu-Thang was no joke, further solidifying Meth's rep as an MC who sounded as natural on blazing street jams like "Bring the Pain" as on urban-radio anthems like "All I Need." But four years is a long time in hip-hop, and everyone from Donald Trump to your mother is wondering whether Meth can deliver a suitable successor to his dusted debut – especially with minimal aid from the RZA, the Clan's chief sonic architect.

Well, judgment day has arrived and Meth has delivered a multifaceted jewel titled Tical 2000: Judgement Day. From the millennial madness of its opening skit to the pummeling title track – produced by Meth himself – which closes the set, he leaves hardly any time to catch your breath throughout seventeen rocksolid workouts. The steady boom-bap of "Cradle Rock" and "Dangerous Grounds" commence the headbanger boogie, with Meth bouncing lingo off Left Eye and Streetlife, respectively, before "Sweet Love" swoops in to catch you off-balance with its disjointed funk. These latter two tracks confirm the genius of True Master, whose soulful musical signature has dominated the last few Wu productions.

Meth rises to the occasion again on the In-spectah Deck-produced "Spazzola," singing the old Stetsasonic chorus "There ain't nothing like hip-hop music/You like it 'cause you choose it," adding, "Don't think that Wu can lose it." A man of many cameos himself, Meth livens up his album with appearances by Redman, Mobb Deep, frequent tag-team partner Streetlife and various other members of the Wu family. Only his collaboration with D'Angelo on the bland R&B jam "Break Ups 2 Make Ups," fails to add any flavor. RZA, who produces only three cuts, throws down the wild card on "Suspect Chin Music," with its ill orchestra of mutated slide guitars. But his absence doesn't mar a powerful showing for Meth. "It's easy to get into the game," says a voice at one point on the album," but once you get on top, you [have to] stay there." Method Man isn't slipping one inch.