Metascore
94 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critics

Critic 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
    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.
  2. 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.
  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
    90
    In terms of conceptual realisation, Liquid Swords is a blueprint for the perfect Wu record.
  5. Sep 7, 2012
    80
    17 years on, Liquid Swords represents hard-nosed hip-hop at its peak. [Oct 2012, p.117
  6. Sep 7, 2012
    80
    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.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User 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. Full Review »