What makes Liquid Liquid by Liquid Liquid notable?

This EP is often credited with influencing the development of dance-punk and post-punk music, notably impacting artists like the Beastie Boys and LCD Soundsystem. Its unique blend of rock and rhythmic experimentation garnered critical acclaim, solidifying Liquid Liquid's place within the underground music landscape of the early 1980s. Liquid Liquid was a pivotal release for the band, arriving as their debut EP in 1981. The group had only formed a year prior and was beginning to carve out their niche within the burgeoning No Wave scene in New York City, characterized by an avant-garde approach to rhythm and sound.

How many songs are on Liquid Liquid?

Liquid Liquid has 5 tracks, running approximately 3 minutes.

Liquid Liquid

Liquid Liquid · 1981

3 min · 5 tracks · punk rock

A vibrant fusion of punk energy and danceable grooves, marked by polyrhythmic percussion and hypnotic basslines.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Groupmegroup — The opening track sets the tone for the entire EP with its infectious groove and intricate percussion, showcasing Liquid Liquid's signature style.
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Bell Head — Featuring a catchy bassline and distinctive vocal patterns, this track exemplifies the band's innovative approach to merging punk aesthetics with dance rhythms.
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Rubbermiro — This track stands out for its layered textures and driving beat, highlighting the band's ability to create an immersive sonic experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The EP's rhythmic experimentation and punk energy create a distinctive sound that influenced later genres.

What we noticed

The EP features a consistent use of polyrhythmic percussion across all tracks, creating a danceable groove that underpins the punk energy.
Each track maintains a relatively short length, averaging around three minutes, which contributes to a brisk pacing throughout the EP.
Vocals are often delivered in a chant-like manner, blending with the instrumentation rather than standing out as traditional lead lines.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Groupmegroup
2 New Walk
3 Lub Dupe
4 Bell Head
5 Rubbermiro 3:34

What to play next

Listen next

Successive Reflexes

1981

Full Liquid Liquid discography Artists like Liquid Liquid

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata