You always hold out hope for your heroes. No matter what’s happened lately you never really want to accept that the greats may have fallen or that their best years are firmly behind them. We all still want to believe in the Wu-Tang Clan but reality is getting in the way.
A Better Tomorrow which marks the Wu’s 20th year is quite possibly the worst album in their storied career. Nearly all the songs here are less than the sum of their parts. All nine members are still formidable rappers in their own right there’s no denying that; dynasties like their empire along with their razor-sharp techniques don’t come from luck.
But nearly every song on this album in spite of the solid flows wordplay and deliveries from all nine members comes off as cheesy. RZA’s updated production techniques feature some of the worst instrumentals in the Wu’s discography with by far their worst hooks. “Preacher’s Daughter” and “Miracle” are laughably bad while attempts at classic gruffness come off as half-hearted. Of the 15 tracks only two (“Ruckus in B Minor” and “Necklace”) feel like they came from the dungeons of Shaolin.
With all the hype and controversy built up behind A Better Tomorrow the final product is a crushing disappointment even when compared to their more recent endeavours. We all love the Wu and we always will but this album is better left lost in one of 36 Chambers.