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Often acclaimed as the best Wu-Tang solo project of all, Liquid Swords cemented the Genius/GZA's reputation as the best pure lyricist in the group -- and one of the best of the '90s. Rich in allusions and images, his cerebral, easy-flowing rhymes are perhaps the subtlest and most nuanced of any Wu MC, as underscored by his smooth, low-key delivery. The Genius' eerie calm is a great match for RZA's atmospheric production, which is tremendously effective in this context; the kung fu dialogue here is among the creepiest he's put on record, and he experiments quite a bit with stranger sounds and more layered tracks. Not only is RZA in top form, but every Clan member makes at least one appearance on the album, making it all the more impressive that Liquid Swords clearly remains the Genius' showcase throughout. All of his collaborators shape themselves to his quietly intimidating style, giving Liquid Swords a strongly consistent tone and making it an album that gradually slithers its way under your skin. Mixing gritty story-songs and battle rhymes built on elaborate metaphors (martial arts and chess are two favorites), the Genius brings his lyrical prowess to the forefront of every track, leaving no doubt about how he earned his nickname. Creepily understated tracks like "Liquid Swords," "Cold World," "Investigative Reports," and "I Gotcha Back" are the album's bread and butter, but there's the occasional lighter moment ("Labels" incorporates the names of as many record companies as possible) and spiritual digression ("Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth"). Overall, though, Liquid Swords is possibly the most unsettling album in the Wu canon (even ahead of Ol' Dirty Bastard), and it ranks with Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as one of the group's undisputed classics.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
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GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Joseph Zawinul, ComposerLyricist - Eddie Brigati, ComposerLyricist - Felix Cavaliere, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
Ol' Dirty Bastard, FeaturedArtist - GZA, MainArtist - Russell Jones, ComposerLyricist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Masta Killa, FeaturedArtist - Herbert Magidson, ComposerLyricist - Allie Wrubel, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Dreddy Kruger, FeaturedArtist - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Clifford Smith, ComposerLyricist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Eldra DeBarge, ComposerLyricist - Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - Inspectah Deck, FeaturedArtist - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Killah Priest, FeaturedArtist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer, FeaturedArtist
℗ 1995 UMG Recordings, Inc.
GZA, MainArtist - Clifford Smith, ComposerLyricist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Method Man, FeaturedArtist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Corey Woods, ComposerLyricist - Dennis Coles, ComposerLyricist - U-God, FeaturedArtist - Chef Raekwon, FeaturedArtist - Ghostface Killah, FeaturedArtist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer, ComposerLyricist - L. Hawkins, ComposerLyricist - GZA/Genius, ComposerLyricist - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Killah Priest, FeaturedArtist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Robert Diggs, ComposerLyricist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, Producer - RZA, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
GZA, MainArtist - Gary Grice, ComposerLyricist - Killah Priest, FeaturedArtist - Robert F. "Prince Rakeem" Diggs, ComposerLyricist - 4th Disciple, Producer
℗ 1995 Geffen Records
Album review
Often acclaimed as the best Wu-Tang solo project of all, Liquid Swords cemented the Genius/GZA's reputation as the best pure lyricist in the group -- and one of the best of the '90s. Rich in allusions and images, his cerebral, easy-flowing rhymes are perhaps the subtlest and most nuanced of any Wu MC, as underscored by his smooth, low-key delivery. The Genius' eerie calm is a great match for RZA's atmospheric production, which is tremendously effective in this context; the kung fu dialogue here is among the creepiest he's put on record, and he experiments quite a bit with stranger sounds and more layered tracks. Not only is RZA in top form, but every Clan member makes at least one appearance on the album, making it all the more impressive that Liquid Swords clearly remains the Genius' showcase throughout. All of his collaborators shape themselves to his quietly intimidating style, giving Liquid Swords a strongly consistent tone and making it an album that gradually slithers its way under your skin. Mixing gritty story-songs and battle rhymes built on elaborate metaphors (martial arts and chess are two favorites), the Genius brings his lyrical prowess to the forefront of every track, leaving no doubt about how he earned his nickname. Creepily understated tracks like "Liquid Swords," "Cold World," "Investigative Reports," and "I Gotcha Back" are the album's bread and butter, but there's the occasional lighter moment ("Labels" incorporates the names of as many record companies as possible) and spiritual digression ("Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth"). Overall, though, Liquid Swords is possibly the most unsettling album in the Wu canon (even ahead of Ol' Dirty Bastard), and it ranks with Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as one of the group's undisputed classics.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:55:10
- Main artists: Genius/GZA
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Geffen
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 1995 Geffen Records Inc. ℗ 1995 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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