Feel free to shit on me for this. This is not meant as a troll post. I legit feel this way about the albums.
1. Legend of the liquid sword 10/10.
His most complete album to me. His voice still has that
snap/spark/energy. Dark beats and they're all bangers. Very cohesive sounding. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that Jaz-O came up with a sinister sounding hit that incorporates Anthony Allen of all people. And I raised a generation of kiddies on 'Animal planet' as an English teacher for semi-starter level English. The edits don't bother me anymore. They did when the album first dropped.
2. Liquid Swords. 9.5/10.
Yeah yeah it's the best album in hip hop along with 'OB4CL...' I listened to it too much years ago. It plays out like a concept album even though it's not a concept album. I'm not a fan of concept albums. (Looking at you, late career Ghost.) I *never* play this anymore while I still listen to Rae's debut all the time, and I played that one to death too when it first dropped.
3. Beneath the surface. 8.5/10
Stop. Using. Skits. In. Rap!
Would have been a 9 w/o the skits.
4. Grandmasters + RMX album. 5/10
I don't care for chess. Muggs could have come with better beats. I know you hate me now. Sorry.
5. Pro Tools 4/10
Low energy. Somehow his voice sounds tired ('Short Race' esp.) and the production sounds flat too. These songs fail to make a lasting impression with me. 'Pencil' shits on the other tracks and is easily a 10/10 song. '0% finance' is great too, but we've heard that beat before, haven't we? I like 'Cinema' too.
6. Words from the Genius. 3/10
I don't even feel like I wanna grade this one because it doesn't seem fair. He had to start somewhere. Even as an old skool album this ain't it.
Ending on a positive note, I think GZA is the finest rapper to ever bring concept songs to fruition. See, while I don't like concept albums, I enjoy concept songs immensely.
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