User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Liquid Swords [The Chess Box]
by
Liquid Swords [The Chess Box] Image
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 47 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.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. RapReviews.com
    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. Pitchfork
    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. Okayplayer
    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. BBC Music
    Sep 7, 2012
    90
    In terms of conceptual realisation, Liquid Swords is a blueprint for the perfect Wu record.
  5. AllMusic
    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.
  6. Q Magazine
    Sep 7, 2012
    80
    17 years on, Liquid Swords represents hard-nosed hip-hop at its peak. [Oct 2012, p.117
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. bears
    Aug 2, 2013
    10
    Not only is Liquid Swords the best solo Wu album thus far, it is also quite possibly the best hip hop album in the last two decades. With anNot only is Liquid Swords the best solo Wu album thus far, it is also quite possibly the best hip hop album in the last two decades. With an unparalleled balance of lyricism and production, The Gza remains as one of the best storytellers since Slick Rick. It reignites what 36 Chambers did back in 93 and reminds us that hip hop isn't a genre, it's a lifestyle. For The Gza, a lifestyle full of chess boxing in the rough, dark boroughs of NYC. If you're a fan of Hip Hop, this album should be at the front of your record crate. 'Unbalanced like elephants and ants on see saws.'… Expand
  2. ShaanP
    Nov 27, 2014
    10
    The best Wu album. One of the best Hip Hop albums. One of the many great testaments to RZAs production as the Shaolin theme reigns supremeThe best Wu album. One of the best Hip Hop albums. One of the many great testaments to RZAs production as the Shaolin theme reigns supreme with perfectly blended old school kung fu style film samples....and thats just the sonics. Then GZA provides every reason for his given alias, Genius, as he combines gritty mafioso raps with universal principles. Front to Back Classic,… Expand
  4. wobbooze
    Sep 19, 2012
    10
    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 itOne 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
  5. keve16
    Mar 22, 2015
    9
    9.2/10....................................................................................................................the best solo wu-tang album.

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »