Tyler, The Creator - Wolf

WHO'S READY TO ENJOY WOLF (Only Tyler fans will understand why that's in caps)

Alright, I know that whatever I say in this review, Tyler, The Creator won’t give a s%$t. Over his last two albums (Bastard and Goblin), and the one in question today, Wolf, he has made it clearly obvious that he’s not a fan of angry kids who just blog to criticize and hate. Here’s the thing though, I’m not here to hate on Wolf. In fact, I’m here to say that Tyler has created a rap album I’ve wanted to listen to for a very long time. One that, for the first time ever, I actually have gone back and listened to multiple times. I didn’t listen to it multiple times because that’s what I do for this blog, but because I loved it so damn much. It’s an album that is crazy but structured, angry but positive, silly but sincere, it’s one big paradox that somehow makes sense like only Tyler The Creator can.

Like his other albums, Wolf has a central story that weaves the songs. While Goblin and Bastard dealt with therapy sessions with Tyler’s conscious (Dr. T.C., Tron Cat), Wolf takes a different approach and tells the story of one of Tyler’s alter ego’s Wolf. Now, I’m going to explain the story, as it will help with my arguments later. As I go through the story, I’ll explain the story then put in parenthesis at the end what song this takes place in. IF YOU DON’T WANT THE STORY SPOILED. SKIP THE NEXT PARAGRAPH. IF YOU READ IT, YOU WILL SPOIL THE STORY, DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU!

Wolf is at Camp Flog Gnaw for the summer with only his clothes and bike, Slater. As soon as he gets there, he meet Samuel, the camp bully (“Wolf”). Samuel is dating Salem (“Cowboy”), who Wolf immediately develops a crush on (“Awkward”). As Wolf is trying to fit into camp, he rides his bike to feel better (“Slater”). At a campfire, Wolf and Salem start to become attracted to each other, and then go off on their own (“PartyIsntOver / Campfire / Bimmer”). Samuel finds out and gets F$%&ing PISSED and vows revenge on Wolf (“IFHY”). Wolf asks Salem why Samuel is such a d#*k and she explains that he came from a bad area where he was bullied a lot (“Pigs”). Wolf realizes that Samuel has found out he is hanging out with Salem and vows to fight him (“Parking Lot”). Samuel finds Wolf's friend, Earl, and shoots him, killing him (“Rusty”). At the same time, Salem is at a performance Wolf and his friends are performing. They hear the gunshot, but don’t think about it (“Trashwang”). Salem and Wolf head to Salem’s tree house for alone time (“Treehome95”). Later, Wolf is caught having some hanky spanky, self-pleasure time by the camp counselor. He is then sent to the counseling office to visit Dr. T.C. (“Tamale”). As he sits down with Dr. T.C., he explains that he is still upset about the death of his grandmother who raised him, and that Samuel is going to pay for killing Earl (“Lone”).

When I got Wolf to listen to, the first two songs (“Jamba”, “Cowboy”) got me very nervous. Tyler was acting like most other rappers, just bragging about how fame gets him money and girls. This wasn’t the Tyler I knew from Bastard and Goblin. The Tyler that was very different, rapped about his problems, and his imagery and dark humor made the songs compelling. After the first two songs, the album kicks into high gear and never lets up. Tyler becomes the Tyler we all know, rapping about his problems and demons, but having a sense of snark to the lyricism. He deals with such strong topics such as his coming to terms of the death of his grandma, the fact his father still hasn’t contacted him, and how he doesn’t want fame and just wants to be a normal kid. Hell, the song “Colossus” about a fan at six flags, goes from normal to messed up quicker than you can snap your fingers, but for Tyler fans, it’s all normal.

The other major aspect is that, unlike his other albums, Tyler has solely produced Wolf all on his own. It’s easy to tell that this album is meant to be listened to in the summer, outside. It feels like a rap album that has meaning, but is fun to listen to on a summer day. For Tyler’s first time producing, he does a great job of setting up the aesthetic of each song. You look at a song like “Answer” which starts out with a simple, slow drum beat and guitar hook. You realize quickly that the song is going to be personal, and probably a little sad, but it works wonderfully with the lyricism. Then you get a song like “IFHY” which starts out with a weird carnival-esque beat that sets up the song perfectly to sound like some dark messed up carnival ride of love that you, the listener, are going to go on. While some of the songs do use the same sounds, it’s really hard not to give Tyler props for taking the initiative to try production for the first time.

The final verdict:  When I was thinking about what was bad with Wolf, I realized I was getting really nit-picky. Yes, the first two songs, and “Trashwang”, are not good, but the rest of the album is so fantastic that I really forgot how bad they were. Tyler takes a bold step in his career with Wolf. Not only does he show that he can produce and tell a messed up summer tale, but he is still the same Tyler, The Creator we have fallen in love with and respected since Bastard...just not worshiping the devil as much anymore. Even though Tyler probably doesn’t give two s^%ts as to what I think, I can say that you all should give this album a chance. You might find it weird, or disturbing, but it will charm you after a while

FINAL GRADE:  A

CHOICE CUT:  “Rusty”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yS1ay045B4





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