Legend of the Liquid Sword (album)

Legend of the Liquid Sword
Studio album by GZA/Genius
Released December 10, 2002
Recorded 2001–2002
Genre Hip hop
Length 50:32
Label MCA/Universal Records
113 083
Producer Bink!
GZA
Arabian Knight
Mathematics
RZA
Jaz-O
DJ Muggs
GZA/Genius chronology

Beneath the Surface
(1999)		 Legend of the Liquid Sword
(2002)		 Grandmasters
(2005)
Wu-Tang Clan solo chronology
Wu-Tang Clan:
Iron Flag
(2001)		 Legend Of The Liquid Sword
(2002)		 Inspectah Deck:
The Movement
(2003)

Legend of the Liquid Sword is the fourth solo studio album by American hip hop artist GZA, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. It was released December 10, 2002. The album is named after the kung fu film Legend of the Liquid Sword. In the songs "Did Ya Say That", and "Knock Knock", GZA focuses on the politics of record labels, and expresses his issues in dealing with record companies over artistic goals in music. It would also be known as MCA Records' last two projects along with rapper Common's fifth album, Electric Circus, before the label was dissolved and absorbed by Geffen Records.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Pitchfork Media (8.3/10)[2]
Rolling Stone [3]
RapReviews [4]
Vibe [5]
Stylus (B)[6]
Rhapsody (Favourable)[7]
Robert Christgau [8]

Many fans will argue whether or not this album was a sincere effort on GZA's part due to the time of the release and the less commercial appeal. The album has been praised for GZA's consistent fan appreciated lyrics, yet accused of having "bland" production, which is often argued.[9][10][11][12]

Brett Berliner of Stylus Magazine said: "The man simply is brilliant, and although these aren’t the lyrics that will appeal to most, they are certainly some of the best. It’s just like why simple books appeal to the masses – most people can’t comprehend this much depth."[13]

Jonah Weiner of Blender magazine stated: "This abstract skill put his 1995 masterpiece, Liquid Swords (name-checked here in the title and every other song), in the running for best Wu solo album, but dense, volatile production pushed it over the top — the prosaic soul loops here are solid enough, but fall short of the legend."[14]

The overall sound of the album conflicted much of the mainstream hip-hop at the time of its release. Samira Niazy of prefixmag.com rated the album 8.0 out of 10 and concluded: "One of the things you'll notice is that GZA's more unique [sic] and real style shines through because he focuses on lyricism rather than distracting the listener with loud instrumental background noise. It draws your attention to his best asset, his distinct style. Thankfully, Legend of the Liquid Sword sounds nothing like the hip-pop that's on heavy rotation on hip-hop stations right now."[15]

Though many opinions varied on whether the album was the classic "Wu-Tang sound", Ari Levenfeld of PopMatters feels: "If Legend of the Liquid Sword is any indication of the Wu-Tang Clan's efforts to come, it doesn't seem like the group is all that interested in expanding their fan base or growing musically. Maybe they've done what they set out to do. The franchise is working... GZA isn't trying to be something or someone he's not. He's all about the original recipe."[16]

Track listing

  1. "Intro"
    • Performed by: Young Justice
  2. "AutoBio"
    • Producer: Jay "Waxx" Garfield
    • Samples: Saint Tropez - "Belle de Jour"
  3. "Did Ya Say That?"
    • Producer: Boola
  4. "Silent"
  5. "Knock, Knock"
    • Producer: Jay "Waxx" Garfield
    • Samples: The Spinners - "I Must Be Living For A Broken Heart"
  6. "Stay In Line"
  7. "Animal Planet"
    • Producers: Tyquan Walker, Bink!
    • Samples: Isaac Hayes - "Man's Temptation"
  8. "Fam (Members Only)"
    • First & third verses, chorus: RZA
    • Second verse: Masta Killa
    • Fourth verse: GZA
    • Producer: Mathematics
    • Samples: Gladys Knight & The Pips - "Between Her Goodbye and My Hello"
  9. "Legend of the Liquid Sword"
  10. "Fame"
    • Producer: Arabian Knight
  11. "Highway Robbery"
    • Chorus: Governor Two's
    • Producer: Arabian Knight
  12. "Luminal"
  13. "Sparring Minds"
    • First & third verses: GZA
    • Second verse: Inspectah Deck
    • Producer: Arabian Knight
  14. "Rough Cut"
    • Chorus: GZA
    • First verse: Armel
    • Second verse: Prodigal Sunn
    • Third verse: 12 O'Clock
    • Producer: RZA
  15. "Uncut Material"
    • Producer: GZA

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ Pitchfork Media review
  3. ↑ Rolling Stone review
  4. ↑ RapReviews.com review
  5. ↑ Vibe review
  6. ↑ Stylus review
  7. ↑ "Legend Of The Liquid Sword by GZA - Rhapsody Music". Rhapsody.com. 2002-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  8. ↑ http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=GZA%2FGenius
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "the appeal of this record eventually runs dry on production grounds. Perhaps the GZA's delivery lends itself to a specific type of beat, because the ten producers on Legend never push beyond a limited variety of sounds". Junkmedia.org. 2003-01-28. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  11. ↑ The productions on Legend of the Liquid Sword are below average for a talent like his, but chances are good that's by design; since GZA is a rapper's rapper, his smooth flow and excellent imagination are all that's necessary to propel any of these tracks.
  12. ↑ MVRemix. ""Legend" is a thicker LP than "Beneath The Surface" but it does not have that Rza production that the original "Liquid Swords" had". Mvremix.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  13. ↑ "The GZA - Legend of the Liquid Sword - Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  14. ↑ "Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur". Blender. 2001-09-15. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  15. ↑ Samira Niazy (2002-12-10). "GZA: Legend of the Liquid Sword". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  16. ↑ "GZA/Genius: Legend of the Liquid Sword - PopMatters Music Review". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2010-12-12.

External links