Search - Raekwon :: Lex Diamond Story

Could've Been A Classic

madrox187 | Derby, VT | 03/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whereas Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was all bout the music rather than deep lyrics, Raekwon has come with more emotional music on Immobilarity and the new Lex Diamond Story. The problem with Lex Diamond story is the same as the problem Rae had on Immobilarity. He comes out bumpin' with poor, no-name production, not to mention a bad crew. American Cream Team sucked, so what does Raekwon do? He searches for another crew in the dung-pile of mainstream wannabes. This time he comes out with Ice Water Inc. A silly-looking group of Harley-Davidson look-a-likes that can't rap that well. Fortunately, Raekwon has upgraded his lyrics and flow from Immobilarity, but still doesn't match Cuban Linx.



'Pit Bull Fights' kicks the album with the same energy as 'Knuckleheadz' and 'Yae Yo' did on his previous two LPs. The track opens for a down-right crap song featuring some chump named Havoc. He might be a mainstream rapper - I don't know - I'm into the underground scene. All I can tell you is that he is wack, and doesn't fit in with Raekwon and the gambino flow. Next comes 'Missing Watch' with my man Ghostface Killah. The chemistry between these two is as kinetic as ever, as they rap over a Wu-like looped beat. 'All Over Again' is a great track talking about Rae and Wu's longevity in both the rap game and in the streets of NY. "Clientele Kidd' feat. Ghostface Killah and Fat Joe forms a strong trifecta of tracks. This one is strictly gangsta, and Ghostface spits one of his best (and there are so many great ones).



'Smith Bros' begins with a funny interview, where Rae is disgusted with some jackhole's comments about his career, and leads into a dope track. At this point of the album though, the bass and snare is starting to wear thin. Luckily, unlike Immobilarity, it is mixed up a bit more. 'Robbery' would've been a decent track if Ice Water wasn't loaded with crap rappers. The Lox would've been a better mainstream group to put on this one. They would've sounded dope over the beat (Sheek Louch appears later). 'Pa-Blow Escablow' is a cool beat with Rae kicking it Gambino-style.



Now enter the Wu-Tang Clan! 'Muskateers Of Pig Alley' is the first track I listened to on the CD. How could I wait for a track with such an obscure track name featuring the Rebel INS (Inspectah Deck) and Noodles (Masta Killa)? But surprisingly, this track bit the big one. The beat was crazy-like, and distorted the sound of all three MCs. Masta Killa, one of my favorites, totally blew it. He was swearing too much, and didn't flow at all. INS did alright, but this was NOT a Wu-banga. 'Ice Cream Pt. 2' is even more silly than the original on Cuban Linx, but for some reason I dug it. The Ice Cream truck music samples added to the Ice Cream flavor. Method Man drops a nice verse, while my boy Cappadonna dropped the most ridiculous lyrics ever (and he has a lot of silly lyrics). But, that is what makes Cap who he is. To give you a taste of Cap's lyrics: "Yo, I love my d***-size like I love women and shxt, my head grew over the years now I gotta a nice d***." 'The Hood' is a good track lyrically - very deep. 'Planet of the Apes' with Capone and Sheek Louch is bumpin'. Even though Rae's flow doesn't fit with Capone and Sheek (the only member of the Lox I really enjoy), it is still a classic gangsta rap. I don't even want to speak of 'Wyld in the Club'. It IS that bad. 'Once Upon A Time' is a decent conclusion with Tekitha not only on the hook, but singing a verse. She has a purdy voice, and the song ends the album nicely. Overall, Lex Diamond Story is a nice upgrade. If Raekwon would stop being stubborn and get some good production, he could reach the high standards set by old school Wu-Tang clan."

4.8 stars, Pretty Tight

G-Funk 4ever | Listenin' to the Delfonics | 03/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 2003, too many rappers went pop, with overuse of club and sex anthems with whack bubblegum pop beats. "The Lex Diamond Story" is different. Raekwon has some nice beats, a few even reminiscent of the older school mid 90's New York beats like "Clientele Kidd" and "Pa Blow Escablow". He does not go too pop. He does go "Wyld in Da Club," but doesn't overdo it. While his hard core raps like in "King of Kings," "Clientele Kidd," and others are not groundbreaking because gangsta rap has been around for so long, but he executes the songs well. His music sounds more like rap as opposed to pop! I have to give him mad props for that. If you love pop-rap, this one may not be for you; if you love classic rap, this one is definitely for you."

Rae's 3rd solo is decent but my Least Favorite of his solo's

G$ | B-More, MD | 02/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rae is back after taking just over 4 years off since his last solo, the widely hated (for reasons I'll never know) "Immobilarity" (Which I like as much as "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..."). This album still deserves 4 stars, but I think it's by far his worst solo project to date. It has 20 tracks, but only 14 songs (1 of which he isn't on) so it has a little too many skits. The sound isn't very Wu either. Production is by 13 different people (and like his last album, none are Wu affiliated!!). Mizza does 2 songs, and Crummie Beats, Andy C (both who I never heard of, do very good jobs) and some other notable producers are EZ Elpee, Hangmen 3, Emile, DJ Khalil, Smith Bros. (the other 5 I never heard of). Guests are all over the album, so not enough of Rae is on here. It has 1 classic, 7 good songs, 3 that are ok, and 3 I skip. A good cd to have for his fans but his other works are better.



#2 - 8.5

#4 - 8.5 (f/ havoc -- odd but goo dbeat)

#5 - 8 (f/ shostface and American Cream Team --a good story about Rae's missing watch that cost as much as a mansion)

#6 - 8 (deeper song)

#7 - 10 (CLASSIC gangsta $h!+ -- great beat -- f/ ghostface killah (One of his best verses ever so you know its HOT), and Fat Joe)

#8 - 7

#10 - 8 (Ice Water Inc. -- no Rae on this track)

#12 - 6.5 (a story about the coke man -- bad beat)

#13 - 6 (f/ masta killa & inspectah deck)

#14 - 7 (remake of his classic "Ice Cream" -- nowher enear as good -- f/ cappadonna & method man)

#15 - 7 (f/ tiffany vilareal -- deeper song)

#17 - 9 (f/ sheek of the Lox & Capone of C-N-N)

#18 - 8.5 (f/ Ice Water Inc.)

#19 - 5 (f/ tekitha)



Corey Woods -- b. 1/12/68 -- Staten Island, NY

Check all my reviews"