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The acknowledged head of the Wu-Tang Clan, Genius (a.k.a. GZA) delivers the fifth Wu-banger with his sophomore solo album. Musically, LIQUID SWORDS is the Clan's strongest solo release to date, and lyrically, Genius comes correct with a style he describes as "too swift to bite."
LIQUID SWORDS contains two types of songs, all backed by the RZA's skillful production. On the one hand, Genius schools the Clan's followers through songs that address serious problems experienced in every day inner-city life. "Cold World," which is backed by whirling wind sound, contains mini-stories that illustrate the misfortunes of gun-slinging in the hip-hop community. "Investigative Reports" goes even deeper in administering the blame, suggesting that drug-related crimes stem from a higher authority. On the other hand, there are the Clan's kung-fu metaphors, which show up on Genius' more Wu-styled songs. On "Duel Of The Iron Mic," he's joined by a number of fellow Clansmen to reinstate the idea that no one can match them, despite numerous attempts to copy their image and concepts. Similarly, the production on songs like "4th Chamber" and "Shadowboxin'" closely relates them to ENTER THE 36 CHAMBERS, and helps make LIQUID SWORDS a complete Wu release.
The song titles of LIQUID SWORDS do not appear in order on the CD package.
Photographer: Mark A. Humphrey.
Personnel includes: Genius/GZA a.k.a. Maximillion, Lou Diamonds a.k.a. Raekwon The Chef, Tony Starks a.k.a. Ghost Face Killer, Lucky Hands a.k.a. U-God, Ol' Dirty Bastard a.k.a. Dirt Megirt, Rolly Fingers a.k.a. Inspectah Deck, Johnny Blaze a.k.a. Method Man, Master Killer a.k.a. Noodles, Killah Priest, Dreddy Kruger, Life (vocals).
Rolling Stone (11/30/95, pp.66-67) - 3 Stars - Good - "...It's probably the heaviest Wu-Tang production to date....Genius pulls you into his chamber headfirst....LIQUID SWORDS cuts to the bone, another deadly efficient Wu-banger..." Entertainment Weekly (12/22/95, p.70) - "...an intriguing paradox of wordplay and profanity, juvenilia and wisdom." - Rating: B+ Q (2/96, p.96) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...inventively laid-back sample collage of hip hop that offsets his biting messages...the result is dramatic and hypnotic..." The Wire (10/01, p.46) - "...Genius trades 'romance' for 'crime'...and his icy skills certainly work better with darker scenarios..." Option (3-4/96, pp.104-105) - "...Genius' verbalistics evoke that creepy feeling you get negotiating certain inner-city neighborhoods on pitch black nights..." Melody Maker (12/23-30/95, pp.66-67) - Ranked #42 on Melody Maker's list of 1995's `Albums Of The Year.' Melody Maker (11/25/95, p.36) - "...the keywords...are synthetic and cinematic....the narrator of these ghostly/ghastly horrorcore tales is on the outside looking in, a voyeur...buzzing off the ghetto misery, wondering how to respond....one of the dozen or so best (G-Funk) albums of the year." Rap Pages (1/96, p.31) - 8 (out of 10) - "...LIQUID SWORDS presents the GZA as sword-style rhyme originator, holding court over his young disciples....reverential guest appearances from the rest of the Clan...inject the album with some of its most memorable moments....Wu-Tang continue to challenge and confound all expectations of what their music is about..." NME (Magazine) (12/23-30/95, pp.22-23) - Ranked #30 in NME's `Top 50 Albums Of The Year' for 1995. NME (Magazine) (11/11/95, p.46) - 9 (out of 10) - "...The best hip-hop album for years. Fact...The RZA's production...is spooked, creaky, incredibly dense....The tricks he's practised on previous Clan albums...reach their apogee here....Genius' quite brilliant lyrics [have] a complexity, a rush of imagery, a strangely poetic drama of brutality..."
razor sharp Man did I ever sleep on this album. I had given it so many listens over the years and would always put it aside. I had downloaded it recently and gave it another listen and sheeeeeiit............ the beats are vintage RZA every track is a banger, eerie as shiit. GZA is well the GENIUS wit them rhymes. Liquid Swords is just plain siiiiiiiiiick! Submitted by Esteban (Land of real hip hop) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 4 of 4 found this helpful.
best solo wu tang album this album is most definately a classic. this is one of those albums that you just put on and you dont have to skip a track. best tracks on this are "liquid swords", "duel of the iron mic", and "4th chamber". It's sad to say they don't make albums like they used to cause this album is classic from the album cover to the music to even the music videos. Submitted by Rey (Miami, FL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
AMAZING I want DUEL OF THE IRON MIC played at my funeral
Submitted by Quincey (Austin, TX, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
lyrical Hiroshima This man is a an absolute gunius hense the name GZA Tha Genius. In my opinion he has some of if not the most powerful
lyrics in the history of hip-hop. With the use of complex metaphores, near perfect cadence and rhyms with no equal Gza takes you on a complete audio-visualisistic journey throughout the whole CD. Its sad to say but this is a quality lost in the matirealistic sea we call hip-hop today. Submitted by ogspik (KillaCallie) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
rap classic a dark ride through gotham city in the back of a tahoe with the genius drivin.classic albums take u on a journey from first song to last.u might need your 9 for this one. Submitted by tony cheddar (west palm beaatch) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
AMAZING
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