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songs
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- 1
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Liquid Swords
- 04:30
- 14,198 plays
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- 2
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Duel Of The Iron Mic
- 04:06
- 10,224 plays
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- 3
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Living In the World Today
- 04:23
- 10,182 plays
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- 4
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Gold
- 03:57
- 7,451 plays
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- 5
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Cold World
- 05:31
- 9,473 plays
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- 6
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Labels
- 02:54
- 9,485 plays
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- 7
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4th Chamber
- 04:37
- 18,405 plays
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- 8
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Shadowboxin'
- 03:29
- 14,065 plays
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- 9
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Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304
- 05:08
- 7,462 plays
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- 10
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Investigative Reports
- 03:49
- 6,904 plays
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- 11
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Swordsman
- 03:21
- 6,829 plays
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- 12
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I Gotcha Back
- 05:01
- 6,326 plays
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- 13
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Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
- 04:32
- 7,088 plays
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, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- Liquid Swords
- Released 1995
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- Beneath The Surface (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1999
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- Pro Tools
- Released 2008
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- Legend Of The Liquid Sword (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2002
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listener reviews
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Lyric at it best
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- By INFAMOUSHAVOC24
- 5/6/2009 15:31:57
- You call your self a hip hop fan this cd is a must get. Gza deliver on this cd hard from liquid sword duel of the iron mic living in the world today GZA lyric are at his best wonder why they call him the Genius just listen to this cd from start to finish. Rza production the entire cd just like he did with every other first wu-tang member first cd back in the gold age of hip hop.
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Genius
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- By metalgearsnipa
- 6/19/2008 17:13:13
- This album plays on the darkest and most mysterious part of the mind. From start to finish the GZA brings you lyrical agility that breaks down the wall of what was once though to be hardcore. RZA gives GZA the perfect colors to paint with as the kung-fu samples and neck breaking drums come together like incense in the wind. This album is 5/5 and needs to be heard by any hip-hop fan.
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