See You There	Ghostface Killah/Redman/Raekwon by Joe Sweeney

In the canon of Wu-Tang Clan solo artists, I guess Ghostface Killah is the George Harrison, the underappreciated yet consistently brilliant MC. (Ol’ Dirty Bastard was a tortured genius who died young, so he’s the John Lennon, and RZA’s a revolutionary talent that spreads himself too thin on his solo work, so he’s the Paul McCartney.) When Ghostface released his debut solo record, Ironman, in 1996, the rapper proved that he had the stamina, wit and writing ability to carry an album on his own. But when compared to other Wu-Tang debuts like Method Man’s Tical and ODB’s Return to the 36 Chambers, it seemed lacking in the explosive personality department. Ten years later, it’s a different story. Fishscale, Ghostface’s fifth record, is a remarkable return to form and a front-runner for the best hip-hop release of 2006. (It’s neck and neck with the Roots’ Game Theory, as far as I’m concerned.) It’s also a glaring reminder that Ghostface is the only Wu-Tang member doing anything worthwhile these days. Full of raw asphalt beats, crackling soul samples and the rapper’s fiery, emotional rhyming, it’s a rare example of an approaching-40 MC actually using his life experience to his own advantage. Don’t miss him headline an incredible lineup at the Town Ballroom, featuring Redman and fellow Wu-Tang member Raekwon (who isn’t the Wu Ringo, by the way. That title belongs to that lovable underdog, U-God.)

Saturday, December 2 at 10pm. Town Ballroom, 681 Main Street (852-3900, townballroom.com) Ages 18 and over with college ID. $15.