 | Tracklist:
1. Opening
2. Those That's Bout It
3. Destruction of a Guard (feat. Raekwon)
4. Exploitation of Mistakes
5. General Principles
6. Advance Pawns (feat. RZA, Raekwon, & Sen Dog)
7. Queen's Gambit
8. All in Together Now (feat. RZA)
9. Unstoppable Threats (feat. Masta Killa & Prodigal Sunn)
10. Unprotected Pieces
11. Illusory Protection
12. Smothered Mate
Release Date: 2005 | |
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On 4 Lists
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| Summary: Hip Hop has just been checkmated. Amazing beats and amazing lyrics equate to an amazing album. |
3 of 3 thought this review was well written
GZA has always been the guy who flowed intelligent over RZA's beautifully jarring beats on the now legendary album Liquid Swords. DJ Muggs has always been the guy in Cypress Hill who made the beats to their solid genre busting debut. Individually, these two had been shadowed by their own greatness; nothing they produced could ever reach that plateau they had made for themselves. Even if they did, critics could just state that it is "nothing compared to..." This occured with GZA's Legend of the Liquid Swords and with DJ Muggs endeavors after his initial success with Cypress Hill. Then this album arrived.
The theme of this album is chess. Chess is strategical. Throughout the album, as it flows from a prophetic beginning intro, which advises one to return to the "classical heritage," to an electronic organ dancing on top of a funky bass riff as violins sing in the background, it becomes apparent that great Hip Hop itself is a strategical game.
The beat must be well planned, well choreographed to allow the MC to flow with the beat, not against it. In "Unstoppable Threats" DJ Muggs brings the bass in with a vengence, mixing up this old school instrument with Gothic pianos that Dracula would have loved to have playing in his castle. Those two compliment each other; they create the walls in a auditory room in which you can cripwalk. The way in which the bass and treble mix in the beat department make them hypnotic, dangerous, and rewindable. Nearly every beat on the album makes you wonder how it entranced you.
GZA flows on these with what made his nickname "The Genius." "Exploitation Of Mistakes" discusses the story of a foiled murder. "Queen's Gambit" explores how GZA came to end up in a sexual scenario with multiple women. "All In Together Now" is a final goodbye to an old friend. With every song, he states something, and makes illicit the story behind his statement. His ability to do this while controlling the beat and the words is what drives the meaning of Grandmasters.
With much strategy, GZA penned the stories that make the imagination flow. With much strategy, DJ Muggs provides the Gothic gangsta sound that allows one to plan and imagine. With much strategy, DJ Muggs and GZA show why they are Grandmasters.
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Great great first review, very well-written.
I want this now.
Digging: Converge - Axe To Fall
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Very good review. I've only heard Liquid Swords from GZA but I've been meaning to check out Legend of the Liquid Sword or this. Two Wu reviews in a row, yeahhhh!
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Wow. You are really talented. Excellent work. I'm definitely going to get this soon.
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Great review, but I don't really agree. I haven't even heard the full album yet, but judging from the tracks I've heard this really isn't even close to a classic. I did like it though, I should give the full album a check once in a while.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Amazing album 
Digging: PJ Harvey - Dry | | |
seriously everyone check this out.
Digging: Sublime - 40 Oz. to Freedom
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
it's very good, but not even close to a 5
Digging: Wale - Attention Deficit | | |
i really like DJ muggs' beats, and GZA is...GZA...'nuff said.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Ehh the biggest problem I have with this is GZA's voice is really bothering me on this. He just sounds so much more nasally and strained than he did on Liquid Swords. I went from listening to Destruction of a Guard to his verse in Duel of the Iron Mic and liked the latter way more. This is still pretty damn good though.
Digging: Eleventh He Reaches London - Hollow Be My Name | | |
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