Yeah, it's interesting. And I also want to give a shout to Raekwon's album because I do think it's a very good / great album.

Since this thread made me contemplate the question I've been listening to LS over and over. And I've been thinking a lot about Tical too. I have always thought the Method Man album is just not mixed right (sorry RZA, I love the beats) -- it's just too muffled to allow MM to shine like he does, but it's still a gem.

I might even ask whether Tical or Liquid Swords is better.

Aah I love the grainy, heavy beats on Tical, I think they suit his style perfectly. I wouldnt say Tical is as good as LS, but I definitely think it's on a par with OB4CL. To be honest any solo material released by a member of the Wu, with RZA's production, during the period of 94-96 is at worst decent.

I also love Tical and I think it could have been the best Wu-Tang album of all as Method Man has that irresistable baritone voice and several interesting styles. But the whole album just sounds kind of muddy (I have an original CD) and it ruins some of the songs a bit, I think. I'm going to listen to it again soon though.

This thread made me go back and check out Cuban Linx and it's not even as good as I remembered. So much BS material (skits?) break up the album poorly. And a lot of the songs are just not very strong. It's more like an OK album with a few excellent songs where everything clicked.

Goin with Liquid Swords as well... Started really listening to GZA after I was listening to Raekwon. I really like Raekwon and I think he is rugged but GZA is just so smart with the metaphors and things he says and just has that powerful voice. I haven't listened to OB4CL in awhile though and I just recently have been listening to a ton of Liquid Swords so that might sway my opinion a little bit. But period, Liquid Swords is one of my top 10 favorite rap CDs ever. Tical and OB4CL miss on a few songs for me, but pretty much everything on Liquid Swords hits.

Liquid Swords for sure.
I think that GZA is a slightly better rapper.

Bobby Digital

Cuban Revolution is far ahead of Linx imo. Liquid Swords is a monster though..
I'd have trouble deciding where I sit with those two.