Customer Reviews

Beneath the Surface

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Alright, I've been seeing a lot of reviews criticizing this album, and frankly I find this surprising. Contrary to what Oliver Wang says, the production on this album is great, with beat-makers Arabian Knight, 4th Disciple, and Mathematics greatly outshining the RZA. Really, I think RZA is starting to fall off as far as production goes (by the way Wang, Beneath The Surface is GZA's third album, not his second). Now back to the production: it mainly consists of pianos, strings, violins, etc., which is on the completely opposite side of the spectrum as commercial hits such as Swizz Beats (check out 1112 and Victim to see what I mean). Inspectah Deck comes nice with the beats too on the album's title track. Overall I think this production is great. Lyrically, GZA shines with his thought provoking metaphors and delivery. The only problem I have with this CD is the length of the songs, some of them are cut too short. Overall this album is great, I'd say the fourth best Wu album ever (1. Liquid Swords 2. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 3. Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version). Everyone should definetly give this album a chance.

- Nick (All comments and reactions are welcome).

Alot of people would argue with me for considering "Beneath the Surface" to be Genius's best work to date. His flow is just as well executed as "Liquid Swords" yet his lyrical content is decidely more mature and enlightening than the previous album. The gritty braggadio and war stories are replaced with a more complex focus on reflection and analyzation. The production, though Rza is phenomenal in his own right, fits the refined mentality of the Genius. In the place of hard breaks and chaotic atmosphere are lush strings and dark contemplative beats that act as the background for this prolific album. Genius's lyrics have never been more lucid or progressive as displayed on this masterpiece of an album.

I am a long time head and this album hits a spot few others can reach. Consistantly dark, atmospheric, and brilliant, Beneath the Surface is strong in the running for my favorite album of all time, all genres. Indispensable. Daily play for months and months has not diminished my respect for this one. Even the admittedly lame skits don't really hurt it. I played this one out like the first Bobby Digital, multiple listens daily for a looong time. Liquid Swords is incredible too, and a must but I like this one a little more. Legend of the Liquid Swords I could not feel at all, even after repeated listenings. It just doesn't have that same darkness... GZA reigns supreme and this is his crowning glory.

This is a good follow up by GZA. Could have had more production by RZA. But its all good. Good beats and lyrics make this a good album. Not better than Liquid Swords but very good really good.

#1.Intro
#2.Amplified Sample - 8/10
#3.Beneath The Surface - 8.5/10
#4.Skit 1
#5.Skit 2
#6.Crash Your Crew - 8/10
#7.Breaker,Breaker - 9.5/10
#8.High Price, Small Reward - 10/10
#9.Hip Hop Fury - 10/10
#10.Skit 3
#11.1112 - 10/10
#12.Skit 4
#13.Victim - 10/10
#14.Publicity - 10/10
#15.Feel Like An Enemy - 10/10
#16.Stringplay (Like This, Like That) - 8.5/10
#17.Mic Trippin - 9/10
#18.Outro - 10/10

Hott album. GZA rips on it. Cop It

After taking a 4 year break, after releasing his by far classic album "Liquid Swords" he comes back in 1999 with this "Beneath The Surface" album. Now a lot of people had negative opinions aimed at this album. I know why. Because of the lack of "RZA" production. I totally agree, only one track "1112" was produced by RZA. He was busy with other sh** at the time and couldnt get in any more beats. But GZA released it and it was good. The production had other producers and they did a great job. Let me break down my opinions on this album.

Lyrics, GZA did definately not lose his touch. 2 years after "Liquid Swords" the album "Wu-Tang Forever" came out in 1997 and he dropped mad knowledge so he still had it cracken. Well this album has great lyrics. GZA still speaks on those real life topics. Every single verse GZA spits is knowledge, lyrically he didnt add up like he did on Liqiud Swords. He was better lyrically on that album, but he sort of matured and kept the lyrics more real. I did think that he could have replaced "TRACKS" instead of those stupid skits that werent needed at all.But GZA definately kept it real lyrically on this album so if you were wondering that, he did.

Production wise, people hate the fact that RZA didnt produce anything except one track on the whole album. Well it sucks, but didnt bother me much because every beat on the album was real. Definately not as grimey like the Liquid Swords album but they were still good. Still had Wu-Affiliated producers knockin off the beats for him. If you like the whole "Wu-Tang" sound of production then this album is for you there. One of the beats I love is "High Price, Small Reward", that beat was f*cken insane! So check it, no RZA production, but still good!

Overall, this album deserves 5/5 stars, just for the fact that GZA didnt weaken lyrically, and the production was still done by "Wu-Tang Affiliated" producers! Every song is good, hands down. Get this.

***SUPPORT GZA AND REAL HIPHOP AND BUY THIS***

My Top 5 Songs
1.High Price, Small Reward
2.Hip Hop Fury
3.Publicity
4.Feel Like An Enemy
5.Victim

Genius, who is widely acknowledged as the Wu-Tang Clan's most gifted lyricist, reinforces his lyrical supremacy on Beneath the Surface. Many are familiar with Genius/GZA's solo work from Liquid Swords. In comparrison with swords, this album is a little less classic, but still far from a dissapointment. While the beats are not RZA quality, I feel that tha GZA's flow is much more technically refined and intellectually stimulating than it was on Liquid Swords. Overall, this album ranks just a notch below Liquid Swords, yet still could stand toe to toe with any rap album put out today. If you are already a fan of tha GZA, or wu tang, this album will not dissapoint. If you're a GZA virgin, I would suggest getting Liquid Swords as an introduction. But this album still ranks in my top 10 hip-hop albums of all time. Just check the opening rhymes on "Breaker, Breaker"-

[This is not a test, it's difficulty
Picture closely, the ignorant mostly
Blind, deaf, dumb, your mind left numb
Lost soul who failed to hear the roll of the drum
In the bottom of your bomb shelter, still felt the
heavy blast that blew off the masks of twelve welders]

(dope)

Four years after his classic "Liquid Swords" the genius wordsmith returns with some more fire. A little less quality than his "Liquid Swords", it is still a very strong album. Out of the 13 songs on here, GZA has 4 solos, and 2 songs he isn't on. The guests are all Wu-related (except for a few ladies who sing some hooks). Production is mostly handled by Arabian Knight & Mathematics (with one song by each by: RZA, Inspectah Deck, and John the Baptist) and they do a good job. There are 2 classics, 3 great songs, 4 good songs, and 2 that I skip. A must have album for all rap fans.

#2 - 9.5 (great beat)
#3 - 8 (f/ killah priest & RES)
#6 - 10 (classic w/ great beat --- f/ Ol' Dirty {R.I.P.})
#7- 8
#8 - 7 (f/ Masta Killa)
#9 - 9 (f/ Hell Razah, Royal Fam & RZA)
#11 - 8 (f/ masta killa, killah priest, njeri)
#13 - 8.5 (f/ njeri)
#14 - 10 (classic w/ great beat)
#15 - 9 (no GZA on this song -- masta killa, hell razah, trigga, prodigal son -- good beat)
#16 - 6 (f/ method man)
#17 - 8.5
#18 - 5 (no GZA --- LA the Darkman & Royal Fam)

Gary Grice -- b. 8/22/66 -- Staten Island, NY
check all my reviews

GZA is my personal favorite in terms of the Wu, and this album bangs. From start to finish this album showcases the perfect harmony of the production with the sophisticated delivery of the GZA. Even dudes like Killa Preist sound good on this joint. Easily up there with "Only Built...." and "Iron Man" as solo Wu classics. Contrary to what many may say, this was on the whole a better album than "Liquid Swords".

I gotta apologize for repeating what's been said before, but it just gotta be said that a)this is GZA's third album, not a 2nd one, b)itz 180 degrees different from that lunatic Swizz and... oliver wang. Listen to me earthlings: BENEATH THE SURFACE IS A TREMENDOUS HIP HOP MASTERPIECE, GREATEST SOLO OF ALL TIMES, THE MOST UP-TO-DATE RELEASE OF 1999 AND AN UNDYING WORK OF ART. Wu is my favorite click, and Gary Grice is my favorite Wu-Tanger, and I swear every time he steps up he elevates a 1000 kilometers higher. First of all, the producers work is extremely perfect. Those who say it smells pop - punch'em in da eye, they're just jealous they can't create same unique melodies with majestic pianos, violins and guitar flows. The sounds sculptured by Arabian Knight, John the Baptist, Mathematics, Inspectah Deck (magician, magician!) and RZA himself capture you from the first moment to the last one. People often catch me bobbin my head at work singin "Scratch underneath the surface, where does your purpose lie..." As for GZA, yall shorties can quit attending skool after buying this one. The Genius offers you everything from Aesopus-style metaphors to straight-to-ya-face blasts, all embodied in monumental rhyming rattatatat delivered by that unique freezing baritone. As for guests, the elders (RZA, ODB, Masta, Killah Priest and especially Iron Lung) show their teeth strong enough to bite off george w bush's head, and the youngsters do 200% of what they ever did B4. Now for the choice: if yall want sumthin murderous, check AMPLIFIED SAMPLE, CRASH YOUR CREW, HIGH PRICE & FEEL LIKE AN ENEMY. Wisdom over magnificent melody - BENEATH THE SURFACE, HIP HOP FURY, 1112, VICTIM, MIC TRIPPIN. Shadowboxin part 2 - STRINGPLAY.... Labels part 2 - PUBLICITY. BREAKER BREAKER is an underground dessert. Skits are wise, worth listening several times. OUTRO is an independent song by itself. And for kids - don't discriminate, GZA doesn't curse much! P.S. I give this a 5 star, and I'd give a 55 if I could.

As I type this review right now, the average rating reads four stars. Four stars!? The GZA is nothing less than perfect on everything he does. This album is very good - no matter what phony rap fans think. People expected the Genius to compare to his masterpiece, Liquid Swords. And...He does! If you don't get this album you are missing out and cheating your ears. I love the awesome "Outro," "1112," "High Price, Small Reward," "Hip Hop Fury," "Crash Your Crew," "Beneath The Surface," "Breaker, Breaker," "Publicity," & "Victim." The GZA tears it up yet again, and all rap fans should get this tremendous work of art.