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
in top form, but every
Clan
member makes at least one appearance on the album, making it all the more impressive that
clearly remains
the Genius
' showcase throughout. All of his collaborators shape themselves to his quietly intimidating style, giving
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),
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,
is possibly the most unsettling album in the
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