I’m Supposed To Be Perpetuous

RZA (featuring Method Man) “NYC Everything” – This p2p/iTunes a la carte era would seem like an ideal time for a widespread critical reevaluation of the Wu-Tang Clan’s post-1995 output – after all, perhaps no other group aside from Guided By Voices rewards the patience of fans who cherry pick the best cuts from a sprawling, intimidating back catalog. It’s understandable that most people would grow bitter and resent throwing down $15+ for cds that rarely feature more than three keepers, but on the other hand, the Wu have a way of stranding some of their most best material on overlong albums packed with filler. Though I would say that RZA’s Bobby Digital album is among the top percentile of Wu solo/affiliate albums, it’s definitely not the best place for “NYC Everything,” a track so relentlessly brilliant that it outshines the entire discographies of many talented artists. The keyboard textures are fabulously bouyant, making RZA and Meth’s verses seem as though they are gliding on neon clouds a thousand miles above the city. This could just as well be a part of my occasional “mix tape” classics series – this tune was one of my mix staples for a solid two years after its release. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)

Method Man (featuring Ghostface) “Afterparty” – It’s difficult to imagine this light-hearted track ever fitting in on a proper Wu-Tang Clan LP, but it’s a shame that this gem is doomed to relative obscurity on Method Man’s duddish third solo album. The lyrics come off like a cross between Wu-Tang fan fic and an episode of The Real World: Shaolin in which Meth and Ghostface deal with the aftermath of a Wu-Tang house party and bitch out freeloading friends. (Click here to buy it from Amazon.)