Method Man - 4:21... The Day After

[Greg Dona]

Method Man started his solo career off in grand fashion. A member of the famed Wu-Tang Clan, Clifford Smith earned one of the limited solo songs on Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. But what goes up must come down, and his downfall proved longer and more gradual than the ascension to the top of the hip-hop world. Mef’s Tical series and Blackout! collaboration with Redman sold respectably but managed to garner little critical acclaim. 4:21… The Day After marks his return to the peak.

The first song on the record, “Is It Me,” utilizes a remarkably minimal beat with simple, repetitive keystrokes twinkling under Johnny Blaze’s sharp flow signifying to the listener the rap orientation of the record meaning that, as with other Wu-Tang releases, elaborate beats take a backseat to crisp vocal work and lyrical prowess. The first couple of tracks continue the aforementioned trend with a decent amount of success.

Ghost Rider shines at the top of his game when teaming up with companion Clansmen. “Dirty Mef,” a track featuring lines from the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, signifies the most nostalgia-laced tune of the record, and ODB’s rough rhyming beautifully accessorizes and balances the Shaolin Assassin’s relatively smooth verses. The perfectly crude approaches of the Wu-Tang Clan to their contributions to Method Man’s latest efforts never fail to impress.

Other guest appearances prove less effective though. “Let’s Ride” puts Mef over background music far from his niche. Whereas Ginuwine, his partner in this exercise, thrives in an R&B environment, the Ticallion Stallion comes off as awkward and somewhat uncomfortable here. “Ya’meen,” which brings Fat Joe into the mix, pounds hard. While Method Man performs exceptionally, Fat Joe flounders. He falls in over his head and thus brings about the downfall of the track. Samples of Lauryn Hill on “Say” prove the exception to the rule as Mef kills it over acoustic guitar and barely noticeable bass work with Ms. Hill cooing the chorus.

Mef’s rediscovered focus on his overwhelming strengths ultimately renders this a more impressive effort than previous outputs. Whereas earlier in his solo career Method Man tried too hard to match his borderline singsong style delivery with infectious beats, here he hones in on maintaining an impressive flow showcasing impressively natural lyrics. Wu-Tang thrived on its rap roots and extremely marginal use of poppier approaches. When Mef recognizes this hip-hop brilliance results, but when he returns to his old solo self listeners cringe.

Everyone knows Method Man is capable of crafting a masterpiece album; he was, after all, a star of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. To this point though he his solo career fails to relinquish one. Luckily 4:21… The Day After signifies a push in that direction.

[emiliodelgado]

low score. this cd deserves higher.

[get high]

best album name ive heard in a long time

[Greg Dona]

low score. this cd deserves higher.

A 74% indicates a good album. Considering how badly the record tails off about midway through I'd say it's generous enough.

[heartsdietoo]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

[get high]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

shut the fuck up man. i hardly listen to any punk and i still visit the site to check up on music that im interested in. and in my opinion, pretty much all of your favorite band that you listed are absolute shit other than lou reed and snoop dog - which arent punk. douchebag

[xnovemberxx]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.


please. lots of music is reviewed here. this place is for news about music. Get over it.

[Greg Dona]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

Ugh, go read the Kelis and Timberlake replies to hear my arguments on why I review this stuff. Honestly, pretty much any Wu-Tang Clansman can kill it better than the vast majority of other rappers.

But I guess thanks in response to the last part of your comment. Honestly though, if you think Mef is talentless and it pisses you off so much that it's here just don't read it.

[plain white t's]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

you dont skate, your gay

[weworemasks]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

shut the fuck up. here's a site with something that should cover your tastes:

www.tubgirl.com

[heartsdietoo]

Wow. I'm pretty popular here, haha. I still stand by the fact that this review is out of place. There are also a lot of queers (themostdeplete, gethigh) here. I'm just expressing my opinion and all you cocksuckers can reply with other than the reviewer are "shut the fuck up" replies. But with listening to this type of music i guess you can't really expect much. I wonder how many rap/hip-hop websites will be reviewing the new Brand New album? This shitty website should change it's name... SHUT THE FUCK UP. :-D

[Greg Dona]

Wow. I'm pretty popular here, haha. I still stand by the fact that this review is out of place. There are also a lot of queers (themostdeplete, gethigh) here. I'm just expressing my opinion and all you cocksuckers can reply with other than the reviewer are "shut the fuck up" replies. But with listening to this type of music i guess you can't really expect much. I wonder how many rap/hip-hop websites will be reviewing the new Brand New album? This shitty website should change it's name... SHUT THE FUCK UP. :-D

What makes you look like an ignorant ass is the fact that this has been discussed so many times in my other reviews. Jason Tate (the guy who runs this site) has stated on multiple occassions that he wishes the site wasn't called AbsolutePunk.net. Unfortunately, changing our name would mean losing tons of users and visitors who might fail to recognize the name switch and think instead that the site had met its end. And, believe it or not, some people who like punk or punk-related music enjoy having their horizons expanded. I'm here to hopefully help them discover new artists.

I see that one of your "favorite bands" is Brazil. If that's so, go read my review of their latest album. Don't come into my threads with your closed-minded views and act like a douche. Why does it bother you that there's an out of place review here? Did you have to write it? Did you have to read it? Did you have to spend any more of your resources on it other than the fraction of a second it took to read, and then ignore, the notification that it had been posted? No. So quit bitching.

[weworemasks]

Wow. I'm pretty popular here, haha. I still stand by the fact that this review is out of place. There are also a lot of queers (themostdeplete, gethigh) here. I'm just expressing my opinion and all you cocksuckers can reply with other than the reviewer are "shut the fuck up" replies. But with listening to this type of music i guess you can't really expect much. I wonder how many rap/hip-hop websites will be reviewing the new Brand New album? This shitty website should change it's name... SHUT THE FUCK UP. :-D

i love how theres a bunch of queers on this site, you fucking homophobe.

[mogwaifearsatan]

I'm sorry but why are you guys reviewing this shit? Even more unsettling is the fact that you gave it a decent score. I'll admit, there are a few semi-decent, slightly talented rappers out there, this isn't one of them. The site is called AbsolutePunk, rap isn't in any way punk or punk related. If you want to review crappy rap albums, why don't you go join a website for rap http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/ It just makes me sick that people can listen to something with lyrics such as... "Call the po-po, oh niggaz is squealing, oh, y'all ain't
feeling Niggaz no more, the bigger they are, harder they go though Good pussy put a hump in my back like Quasimoto Hah, my sex ain't homo, season vet, hold the adobo." I guess i'm having a bad day too though so nice review, i guess.

Wu Tang and Method are, have been, and always will be about 1000 times more "punk rock" than the processed scene bullshit you love. Method and the other Wu members have more talent and musical integrity in their pinky toes than most of the bands you like combined. Why dont you go jack off to A Thorn For Every Heart and their deep, meaningful lyrics, and let those of us with brains discuss music that is actually worth something. Get the fuck out.

[Greg Dona]

Wu Tang and Method are, have been, and always will be about 1000 times more "punk rock" than the processed scene bullshit you love. Method and the other Wu members have more talent and musical integrity in their pinky toes than most of the bands you like combined. Why dont you go jack off to A Thorn For Every Heart and their deep, meaningful lyrics, and let those of us with brains discuss music that is actually worth something. Get the fuck out.

It's one thing for people to say that they think hip-hop sucks, rappers are talentless, etc. It's quite another, however, for them to say that rap isn't "punk." Seriously, come on now.

[heartsdietoo]

What makes you look like an ignorant ass is the fact that this has been discussed so many times in my other reviews. Jason Tate (the guy who runs this site) has stated on multiple occassions that he wishes the site wasn't called AbsolutePunk.net. Unfortunately, changing our name would mean losing tons of users and visitors who might fail to recognize the name switch and think instead that the site had met its end. And, believe it or not, some people who like punk or punk-related music enjoy having their horizons expanded. I'm here to hopefully help them discover new artists.

I see that one of your "favorite bands" is Brazil. If that's so, go read my review of their latest album. Don't come into my threads with your closed-minded views and act like a douche. Why does it bother you that there's an out of place review here? Did you have to write it? Did you have to read it? Did you have to spend any more of your resources on it other than the fraction of a second it took to read, and then ignore, the notification that it had been posted? No. So quit bitching.
I don't have a problem with this review or give a flying fuck what is posted on this site. I think that you are a talented reviewer and enjoy reading your reviews. Being bored a few nights ago, i was like "hey i'm going to see how many people i can piss off". To clear things up, i'm not a homophobe, i do use the word "queer", but it's not being directed toward "gays". I do need to work on not saying it though, as it can be found offensive and i understand why it would seem to be homophobic. I have many friends that are gay, i don't agree with it, but it's not my place to judge. As for mogwaifearsatan, i never said a thorn for every heart has deep meaningful lyrics, they do have some decent songs though. So why don't you go jack off to HORSE the band and their deep, meaningful lyrics. Biotch.

[brandneww]

Jason Tate (the guy who runs this site) has stated on multiple occassions that he wishes the site wasn't called AbsolutePunk.net. Unfortunately, changing our name would mean losing tons of users and visitors who might fail to recognize the name switch and think instead that the site had met its end.


why doesn't Jason do what the Brand New website did? every time you type in www.brandnewrock.com (http://www.brandnewrock.com) it takes you to their website and changes the link to www.fightoffyourdemons.com (http://www.fightoffyourdemons.com) .that way you won't lost visitors, and the website can go under a different name.

[Broken Parachute]

I loved this album, but GZA's is gonna be better when it comes out.