Liquid Swords [The Chess Box] Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

  • Summary: The second solo album for the Wu-Tang Clan member is consider by some one of the best hip hop albums released. It is remastered with a second disc of instrumentals of GZA's 1995 album and a chess set.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Sep 7, 2012
    100
    It's a historical artifact on an otherwise up-to-date album, one which is more important now that hip-hop needs a refresher on the essence of skills and the value of balancing the materialistic with the intellectual.
  2. Sep 7, 2012
    100
    One of the many great things about Liquid Swords is that while it's an unimpeachable work of lyrical mastery, of fierce intellect and sound morals, it's in no way a record for prudes.
  3. Sep 28, 2012
    95
    GZA for his part conveys overarching ideas of war with self, the world at large, and pushing oneself artistically to the limit as a coping mechanism--expressing a coherent worldview through top flight craftsmanship.
  4. Sep 7, 2012
    80
    17 years on, Liquid Swords represents hard-nosed hip-hop at its peak. [Oct 2012, p.117

See all 6 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. One of the best solo hip hop albums of all time. Accompanied with untouchable production, this album makes as much sense now as it did when it was made. If you missed it, get it. Expand