It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

by

Public Enemy

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All that I could say after hearing this album for the first time was "wow!" Even though the tracks here are almost two decades old, they sound much more daring, progressive, and experimental than any rap you can hear on the radio today. Is it possible that we are "de-evolving" now that perfection was already reached in 1988? I mean, I enjoy a lot of Snoop and NWA as well, but everything recorded since, say 1995 has been pretty abysmal in comparison to rap's "Golden Age." I suspect that since Chuck D. and the gang so thoroughly nailed it here, others knew that they couldn't rise to the occasion, so they didn't even try.

This album is a musical marvel, in every sense of the word. This is coming from a southern white male who was only four years old when this came out and, a mere few months ago, hated pretty much all rap. What can I say? I've been converted. Chuck D.'s militant message here is simply dead on, and while I can't quite get behind their endorsement of Farakhan, I can overlook that, because I agree completely with everything else they're laying down here. From the first track to the last, the album is a relentless indictment of government and media, from the unheard voices of urban America. And if that wasn't enough, the music is incredibly funky.

I'll take these Bomb Squad arrangements and Terminator X turntable magic over all of the over-produced pop garbage we have to put up with now any day of the week. Others have already extolled the merits of the brilliant production values and technical superiority, so all I'll say is this. The grooves here are as deep and pervasive as anything you will ever hear in popular music. I've loved all types of music, from Sinatra to Stravinsky, and if "Don't Believe the Hype" doesn't get some butts shaking at your next house party, consider moving to a funkier neighborhood!!!

Other stand-out tracks here are numerous. The repetitive striking of a minor piano chord in "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" makes for a menacing, delightful hip-hop experience. In this anti-authority "story song", you can almost hear an early prototype of later, very similar songs like Dr. Dre's "Deep Cover" but this is ten times better! Chuck is in great voice, and this track seems way ahead of its time.

You can't go wrong with this album, as it is perfection epitomized, on every level. If you, like me, are fairly new to rap, check this one out and get a taste of how rap SHOULD sound, and how it sounded for so many years before the hollow, voiceless perpetrators and posers took it over (in the interest of civility, I won't name names, but you all know who I'm talking about!) On a lighter note, I want to share with you my idea for the perfect drinking game. Turn this thing up to full-blast on your speakers, get a bottle of your beverage of choice, and take a shot every time Flavor Flav shouts "Yeeeaaah, boyeeee!!!!!!"

Uhhh...maybe you'd better make that HALF a shot. Afterall, I wouldn't want anybody out there to get alcohol poisoning!