Ghostface Killah: The Big Doe Rehab : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Getting the entire Wu-Tang Clan together seems as tough a challenge as acing the SATs or making Thom Yorke laugh. So it's remarkable enough that the new Wu-Tang album — the Staten Island crew's first in six years — actually exists. What's more, 8 Diagrams is better than most would have expected: a terrific mix of classic Clan grime and enough new tricks to justify Inspectah Deck's claim that "Wu-Tang keep it fresh like Tupperware."

Those tricks include more expansive production, most apparent on the great "The Heart Gently Weeps," a violence-laden narrative built around the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Cuts like "Unpredictable" — where RZA's ominous, screeching attack evokes a Scorsese flick about crack dealers– also prove that the Wu can still dish pummeling grit-hop as well as anyone. There are a couple of snoozers, including "Weak Spot." And while ODB is missed, his taste for weird abides in "Sunlight," an atmospheric, bullshit-philosophical tone-poem starring RZA, and one of several reminders that the Clan still sound unique as hell.

In the six years the Clan were on hiatus, Ghostface Killah was busy becoming one of the greatest MCs ever. The Big Doe Rehab isn't as distinct as last year's Fishscale, but it's close. Ghost's bouncy, more direct approach on cuts like "Walk Around" shows off his ability to turn crack-slinging narratives into big, hooky pleasures. By the time he lays his inimitable, Ginsu-sharp whine into "White Linen Affair," a gloriously detailed rant that touches on baking soda, polar bears and Norah Jones, this much is clear: Right now is a good time to be a Wu-Tang fan.

CHRISTIAN HOARD

(Posted: Dec 13, 2007)

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Track List

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At The Cabana Skit featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars
Toney Sigel a.k.a. The Barrel Brothers featuring Beanie Sigel
Yolandas House featuring Raekwon, Method Man
We Celebrate featuring Kid Capri
Walk Around
Yapp City featuring Trife, Sun God
White Linen Affair (Toney Awards) featuring Shawn Wigs
Supa GFK (track not available in Rhapsody)
Rec-Room Therapy featuring Raekwon, U-God
The Prayer
Ill Die For You (track not available in Rhapsody)
Paisley Darts featuring Raekwon, Sun God, Trife, Method Man, Cappadonna
Shakey Dog Starring Lolita featuring Raekwon (track not available in Rhapsody)
! featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars
Killa Lipstick featuring Method Man, Masta Killa
Slow Down featuring Chrisette Michele

Your Turn

Give us your review of The Big Doe Rehab

Review 1 of 3

4of 5 Stars

This is a very, very good album. Ghost does for me what no other MC seems to be able to do... consitently thrill. The guy has the Midas touch as far as I'm concerned. Ghostface belongs way at the top of the list of greats.
Rec Room is sooo sick. The whole album is sick. The only cuts I didn't like immediately were the last couple. I bet I find something to like upon further listening. Shit is ill.

Dec 27, 2007 21:48:42

Review 2 of 3

3of 5 Stars

I am not trying to be hard on this album, it is good if you compare it to everything else out right now but to say that this album is better than 8 diagrams takes a very uneducated and or bias review board to think that. The flows are grimy and hard, almost like the flows that Tony kicked back on IRONMAN and SUPREME CLIENTELE but the production staff needs to make things intertwine better, I havent read the credits on the album yet but it sounds like a bunch of producers thrown together creating a mesh or plethora of different styles. To make an album an album it needs to run together, this sounds more like a dope ass mix tape. No disrespect to Ghost who hits hard with his ever creative story telling and amazing flows but I think its Def Jam that may need some rehab cuz I havent heard a classic album from Def Jam scince 99

Dec 25, 2007 15:29:49

Review 3 of 3

5of 5 Stars

Ok while others would say this is one of Ghost's weakest albums, I would have to agree. However, when you compare this to the consistent diarrhea flow of shit rap that has come out this year it automatically becomes a classic. I love Ghost and Wu-Tang to death, I would literally trek through a 100 miles of garbage to pick up their new albums. What is really funny is even their mediocre records absolutely destroy pretty much everything out there minus Kanye's records. I just hope that the WU is back for atleast another record after * diagrams since I look at that as their trial run.

Dec 21, 2007 15:26:40

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