It was in 1993 when Wu dropped their first group album, Enter The Wu-Tang. This was the introduction of a group of talented MCs, enter a one; Ghostface Killah, who seems to have become one of the most metaphorically spoken lyricists off the group. However, can his new effort bring the same tight forms of production and lyricism from his last two albums and from the hype he has gained thru various other Wu projects?

Bulletproof Wallets starts with a slow moving intro where Ghostface basically explains, .. niggas that fuck around gonna get they balloon popped, straight up, which fits the hype and grimeyness perfectly for the first track; Maxine. Never Be The Same Again featuring Raekwon and Carl Thomas, is a tight; heartfelt single off the album that shows a softer delivery from both Ghostface and Raekwon. The production on this album has really stepped up, with tracks like Strawberry Fields & The Forest, which have that mellow storybook type melody to it. The Forest: (it's the illest little story for the girls and boys - Wonderland, you should see it yo!). Method Man comes thru with a song stealing verse on Flowers (... I'm what you get when that Absolute and Hennesy mix - Ultimate! Ultimate! - Wu-tang, my whole click - Ultimate! Ultimate!...). RZA also lends his help on the track Detroit Heavenly. R&B influenced artists Issac Hayes and Ginuwine also lend their vocals on this album.

Overall, this is a solid album. At first listen, you can tell for the most part that this is more up-beat compared to his last two albums. The production is really tight on more then half the songs, and lyrically - well, you just have to feel Ghostface to begin with to like him. If you have never peeped him before, I'd say pick up his first album, but, Bulletproof Wallets it is definitely a keeper, and honestly - next to Masta Ace's Disposable Art and The Blueprint, this is the hottest album to drop this year.