Method Man of The Wu Tang Clan has returned to the scene with his third album, Tical 0: The Prequel on Def Jam.   Method has been one of the most successful MCs in the game and is very noticeable but hasn't reached that level of success on his albums instead being a singles and remix king.   Can Meth change the tide of his success? Let's check it out and give him a GeoClan rating.

The LP starts with "The Prequel" with Streetlife, a head knocker in which Meth tells why people should be happy and sad he is back in the game.  

Missy adds her voice to the LP in "Say What" a song for the clubs using Middle Eastern sound to it that is so popular these days.   P. Diddy adds the smack talking in the end for good measure.  

"What Happenin'" is the first single and Busta Rhymes is the first single off the album and it is hot.   The beat will have you up and popping in the club.   The two MCs talk about going in the club, having a good time and what happens if something goes wrong.  

"The Motto" is dark, using the piano keys and a simple baseline to talk about what Method Man is all about.  

Three of the highest MCs (if you know what I mean) join Meth, in Redman and Snoop Dogg in "We Some Dogs" The track has a 70's groove and talks about being bigger dogs than most.   It would nice to see this combination of MCs more often, as all are oldheads in the game and do they damn thing.

Raekwon brings his fire on "The Turn" an official sounding Wu-Tang joint full of cymbals, heavy bass and a looped sample.   Method holds his own on this song (yes, people no Meth vs. Chef repeat) and the beat will make this a favorite of yours.  

"Tease" is for the Ladies and Chinky adds her voice to the pot as Meth talks about those ladies who want to play games before the big show.

Def Jam South member, Ludacris, joins the album to talk about the women in "Rodeo" one of the most transparent songs on the LP.   While the beat is hot the timing of the selection on the LP proves that Method Man is trying to get those sales early! Luda and Meth go back and forth talking about sexual prowess.  

Toronto native Kardinal Offishall brings the reggae sound to "Baby Come On", a cut for the dames.   The two talk about wanting a nasty girl but not a dirty girl. Don't we all!

"Who Ya Rollin' Wit" tells why you need to roll with Meth.   The beat is a product of drum programming and sounds like a video game.   Unfortunately you want to beat this game stage and get to new music but you can't!  

"Never Hold Back" tells people to live their lives and never let anyone stop them.   The track features Saukrates doing ad-libs, E3 on the hook and is very short.  

"The Show" maybe Method's best solo song on the album as he talks briefly about everything over a hot beat.

"Act Right" is meant for you to bounce in your homes or in the car.   The beat uses heavy bass and techno sound as Method Man plays party host.

Ghostface is in the house on "Afterparty", a track that's full of old school strings and words about what is needed for a banging after party from alcohol to the ladies.   Ghost doesn't add his lyrics in a full verse but you could tell they were having fun in the booth.  

"Crooked Letter" is another gritty track with a bounce added to the tip.   Meth talks about how valuable money and piece of mind is and Streetlife joins the conversation.   Black Ice, the Philadelphia poet joins Method Man for the "Ridin' For Outro", a short but powerful poem about brothers killing one another and being proud but still being scared.  

Method Man's LP is a nice comeback but he is still missing that thing that makes him able to float on his own lifeboat.   The beats are all hot and he has some nice collabos but it seems like a little too much for someone with Meth's skills.   He clearly tries to get the ladies demographic in the middle of the album and I think that makes the LP suffer a little. I think his lyrics could be more substantial and he never gets deep he just parties and talks shit.   He needs to get rid of the whole Tical thing because he is trying to prove his worth by making up for the disappointment of his first joint and it makes him go too far.   You can listen to this but Method doesn't prove to be on the upper echelon of Hip Hop when it comes to album making and taking a stand on who he is.   Maybe he is too versatile to this listener and you'd wish he would stick to a couple styles.  

I'll give the LP 4 globes.

Any questions, comments, suggestions email Clayton Ruley at clayton@geoclan.com.