To fully understand what is wrong with the new Wu-Tang album, one must be a fan of "Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers." No, not a fan like "Can It All Be So Simple" and "C.R.E.A.M." are dope", but a fan like the Wu's debut album means something to your life and you can reflect on how it changed Hip-Hop and spawned countless solo careers. Not only is Wu-Tang's debut album a classic, but it defined an era.

The problems surrounding "8 Diagrams" prior to its release are well documented. Ghostface and Raekwon both spoke out loudly about the quality of the music being recorded and also accused RZA of some shady financial dealings. A group that really defined the word group appeared to be bursting at the seams as the release date for "8 Diagrams" grew closer.

It's difficult to review an album effectively when there is so much wrong. Let's first address the album's production. Long gone are the days of dirty, fractured and at times frantic RZA production. In their place is a sound that can be described as sparse, at times soulful and, dare we say it for a Wu-Tang album, clean. Take for example "Get Them Out Your Way Pa." It's a great example of what's wrong with the album. The hook with Raekwon chanting "get them out your way pa" had the potential to be one of those grimy, "Ante Up" type joints but RZA gives the hook an airy, almost bluesy backdrop that just fails miserably. Another example of this mismatched sound is on the much talked about "The Heart Gently Weeps." In its essence, it's not a bad song, it's just not a Wu-Tang song. This isn't what fans waited years for. People loved Wu-Tang because they threw up the big fuck you to the industry and did it their way. Look at a song like "Triumph." By no means is it a club song (in fact it's such a wrong format for both radio and clubs due to its length) but Wu-Tang used to have such an allure about them in the biz that clubs still play it to this day.

Another problem is the vocal performances on the album. For the most part, they sound so uninspired (especially Raekwon...go figure). Listen to a song like "Gun Will Go." It almost sounds like the Wu-Tang members were inconvenienced by coming to the studio to record their vocals. Never mind the fact that the beat is just strange (and not in a good way) and the atrocious hook by Sunny Valentine hurt this one as well.

There are a few bright spots. "Stick Me For My Riches" will be one of those "grow on you" songs. On first listen it seems to be another airy, cautious track from RZA (with help from Mathematics). And while the song is definitely leaning on the radio'ish side, the verses by Method Man, Inspectah Deck, RZA and GZA come through strong and give a glimpse, at least vocally, of what could have been. "Weak Spot" finally gives the listener that dirty, almost unfinished sounding Wu that everyone loves so much. It's pure grime featuring a triple threat of RZA, GZA and Raekwon. And as it should be, the ODB tribute song "Life Changes" hits home thanks to its truly personal lyrics as the Wu speak on their fallen brother. The song is soft for a Wu track but RZA gives the song the perfect backdrop (the only instance where his softer touch works) for the Wu members to spill their feelings all over the cut.

There are people that will love "8 Diagrams" simply because it's a Wu-Tang album. And that's great that there are fans who are that loyal to a group that has given Hip-Hop so much. But in the same breath, don't Wu-Tang fans deserve more than an album that was created when it’s clearly obvious most of the members didn't even want to be in the studio? The truth is if it had been a dope album, the listener wouldn't have even known about the inner turmoil’s going on within the group (or at least it wouldn't have been front page news). But the problem is you can hear throughout the album that the group mentality and that Wu-Tang Vs. the world sound isn't there. You don't have a single song that comes even close to hitting like a "C.R.E.A.M.", "Triumph" or hell even "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)." "8 Diagrams" is going to go down in history for all the wrong reasons as one of the most disappointing albums of all-time.