Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Great
Wow. A hard hitter for sure. Groovy beats too that I took on a drizzly February walk with me
Another Public Enemy album, another list of bangers. Public Enemy continues to be loud party style rap with a ton of sick beats and funk. It's sad that it's still culturally relevant today, particularly the opening to By The Time I Get To Arizona and Can't Truss It. Terminator X and Flava Flave create some pretty fun rhymes, even if at times the flow feels dated. Good stuff.
Maybe not as great as Fear of a Black Planet or It takes a Nation, but still solid and driving. My mom asked me to stop playing it when I was in the car “despite liking Public Enemy,” which added a certain juvenile joy to my listening experience.
This is so good. Hadn’t listened before.
Más de lo mejor. Rap/Hip-Hop de los 90. Me ha gustado como empieza con Lost at birth y también luego Nighttrain, y para terminar Bring tha noize. Pero en general no me ha entusiasmado tanto como otros discos suyos.
I really don't like rap music. Glad this could confirm it for me.
The most important rap group in history right here. Scary how even more poignant their points are 30+ years later. 8/10
Been my favorite from Public Enemy for sure!
Rap vom feinsten
2/5
see my other public enemy review
I actually really enjoyed that. I say “actually” because I was pretty neutral on the last Public Enemy album we were assigned on this list. But the three years between this album and the last one shows….I really just cannot get into rap from the 80s and couldn’t connect with the last one, and the fact that this album was from the start of the 90s makes all the difference. The beats were super catchy and I found the political messaging really compelling (and unfortunately relevant). Fav tracks: I Don’t Wanna Be Called Yo N***, By The Time I Get To Arizona
this was a great listen, really enjoyable
I do like these old school rap albums, but it’s not something I’ll revisit often. Well, let’s see.. maybe I will! Enjoyed it, though.
Definitely my favorite of the older hip hop albums on this list so far. Kicked off strong, then surged back a few times throughout the record. Their message came across pretty well even though I didn't catch every lyric, which isn't always the case with a lot of music.
Andre public enemy albumet på her.
I'm not a big hip hop or rap fan, but this album is Okay. I'll give it three stars.
uncs cant make bounce
Helt solid, gillar beatsen. Borde med andakt lyssna på lyricsen men det gör jag ej.
great good hip hop
Yeah boi!
I liked this more than their other album this was kinda hype. Stand-out: Get The F... Outta Dodge
No es tanto mi estilo. Lo pondria para estudiar o algo asi tho.
Iconic sound of an era. Only to be imitated today.
I enjoyed this. Not too much of a surprise as I've always liked Chuck D's voice and tge constand driving beat of PE. Sure, even the Flava parts work. I never heard this album before, but it did not disappoint.
Old school jams.
I’m not sure this list needed 3 Public Enemy albums on it, but this is probably my favorite of them.
Public Enemy = Dope beats and lyrics. There were a couple of the songs that the loops got a little tedious, but not by much ("Lost At Birth," "Move!"). The sampling for "Nighttrain" was IMO genius. Track 6 .. "I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo N****". I get the point, but it's not a track I am going to listen to again. I get why it's here, but the Anthrax collab put at the end of the album felt like it was... squeezed in as an afterthought. It doesn't fit the rest of the album. It's still a great song, though. Top tracks: "By The Time I Get To Arizona," "Bring Tha Noize", "Shut 'Em Down"
Thank you for giving me Public Enemy after Digital Underground - I can wash out the latter with the former. This is a rap / hip hop album. Note it came out only one year after that other joke album. Love the beats - the sampling is sublime, Terminator X (and the Bomb Squad?) at his finest. The lyrics are also pretty strong. By the Time I Get to Arizona is the best of both - what a track. Lost at Birth, Nighttrain and Move! have some real killer samples and beats (the first one also has some solid lyrics). Can't Truss It, How to Kill a Radio Consultant, and Shut Em Down have some pretty epic lyrics - all Chuck D. But even Flavor Flav contributes some good lyrics on I Don't Want to be Called Yo Niga (he goes a little overboard toward the end of the song) and More News at 11. Chuck D and Flavor Flav combine for some good lyrics on A Letter to the New York Post. I kinda wish they didn't put Bring the Noise on this album (already had it two albums ago), though this version with Anthrax is pretty kick ass.
Damn, this album grew on me. My initial reaction was that it was a bit relentless and Chuck D's rapping style made me want to take a breath for him (and hearing him gasp at the end of every line in Nighttrain was kind of annoying). I was planning to go with a 3, with respect for the grooves and the powerful lyrics. Then I continued listening to the album and instead of "relentless" I realized this album flows and flies by on every listen. Certain tracks got me grooving every time I heard them. And, of course, their powerful lyrics hit me every time. Bottom line - this album ROCKS. I still want to take a breath for Chuck D, but his rapping is powerful and impressive, and Flavor Flav is just awesome. Would definitely revisit (and this is also the first PE album I've listened to in the list - looking forward to the others). Finally, love the Anthrax / PE mashup (not the first time I've heard this one). Favorite tracks: Can't Truss It, By the Time I Get to Arizona, Move!, 1 Million Bottlebags, Shut 'Em Down, Get the Fuck Outta Dodge, Bring the Noise.
This is genius
Better than Fear Of A Black Planet. It definitely sounds like it's 35 years old but it's still good.
Liked it more than I thought I would
I feel like id like it on certain days
Ahead of its time. Didnt love it.
good beats I love 90s rap/beats/type
Insanely groovy intro with great samples, love this track first listen. Rebirth has great drums. Somewhat repetitive choruses but groovy drums, truss it somewhat dragged on too long but still was really good. I don’t wanna be called yo is fire, the best one so far. The next two have great beats, and political messages. It got slightly weaker towards the very end, but it was still enjoyable. Liked 1 million bottle bags. This album is great for its production and message, initial listen: 8.5/10 or 4.25/5.
1/9/25. Powerful and engaging, this is a certified classic to me. Can always come back and listen, especially during a workout.
Genuinely incredible album - strong political content, presenting the rage of the lower class in America, fundamentally black. This is an amazing show case of "write what you know"
I don't listen to a lot of hip hop, but when I do it's Public Enemy. Everyone needs a hype man like Flavor Flav. Bring the noise.
Lyrically and sonically a dope PE record. Although this doesn't hold up to ITANOMTHUB or Fear or a Black Planet.
Fakt, że ta lista jest tak nieproporcjonalnie (i nieuczciwie) skupiona na anglosaskim rocku sprawia, że tych kilka albumów z innych gatunków, które się na nią dostały, to zawsze absolutne perełki. Co sprawia, że tym bardziej szkoda, że musimy słuchać jakiegoś szrotu w stylu The Libertines albo HMS Fable. Złote czasy hip-hopu. Album zarówno mega zabawny, kreatywny, eksperymentalny, liryczny, a jednocześnie poruszający ważne tematy i będący bardzo mocnym komentarzem to współczesnych sobie wydarzeń. Muzycznie wyznacza to, co obecnie stanowi korzenie hip-hopu - muzyka z decków, wszystko brzmi mega surowo (w dobrym znaczeniu tego słowa) i "street". Gdzieś czytałem, że ich duet z Anthraxem "Bring the Noise" to był jakiś dziwny i niepotrzebny twór. Osobiście uwielbiam ten kawałek i to pierwsza rzecz Public Enemy, jaką kiedykolwiek słyszałem i pierwszy mój kontakt z nimi (nie licząc gościnnego występu w Johnnym Bravo, o ile pamiętam, to był zajebisty odcinek). Dodatkowy plus za to, że nie ma ani jednego kawałka o ruchaniu, dragach, imprezowaniu i chlaniu (nie liczę "1 Million Bottlebags", bo to utwór o problemie społecznym). Czyli da się stworzyć komercyjnie udany hip-hop bez zakreślania "bitch" i "dick" na karcie bingo.
I judge more harshly things that I love (if I have children in the future i'm sorry for them). That's why it's a strong 4.
Wybuchowy miks gniewu, świadomości politycznej i niepowstrzymanej energii, który nadal brzmi aktualnie i inspirująco. Beaty są mocne i agresywne. "Bring the Noise" w wersji z Anthrax, który łączy hip-hop i metal, torując drogę do późniejszego rozwoju gatunku rapcore. Nie bali się eksperymentów. I luv Flava Flav. 4/5
Another classic from my youth. We listened to this album so many times when driving round in our cars. It amazes me that it still sounds fresh now.
Sick beats n all but gets a lil repetitive
Probably their 3rd best album, not convinced it needed including but still solid album nonetheless
Not really my thing, but it’s cool.
Raw and righteous hip-hop with teeth and substance. The leaner, cleaner approach and direct line of attack yield more power and the old cliche about rap being black America's CNN was never truer than this one. This works extraordinarily well as a whole but one's personal highlights are "Nightrain" and "Dont' Wanna Be Called Yo" and "Arizona."
More intellectual and hardcore rap from PE. I regularly use the phrase “Shut em down” to people. PE is not my go to rap group but I appreciate their importance and impact.
Not as good as the other two albums, but still solid!
Shout out to the song from Tony Hawk. I don’t have much tolerance for Flav. I don’t like that there were zero good hooks on this album.
This is pretty solid!
Pretty fun
Public Enemy had their data stolen before completing this album the first time around, so this is the second attempt to put it altogether again. You would have though that the original version would have resurfaced by now somehow, and maybe one day it will. You can imagine it would be pretty demoralizing to have to start it all from scratch and indeed the music doesn't quite match the revolutionary energy of their previous releases. The production is more rushed and simplified, leading to a different kind of style. Public Enemy are always pretty good, particularly when you're angry with the world and just need to vent to some great beats. The album isn't their best, but it does have some unique moments and was likely influential due to its cleaner production.
Everything is fire. Every song are important as the others and I didn't find the hit that carries the album. All is perfectly belanced
Hard core hiphop which felt quite repetitive in the sample/beat in each song marking it hard to listen to.
Overall good vibe
I'm not really in the mood for this today, but I can tell it's good so I'll try to be objectively subjective if that's a thing... First thing that hits me is how, although I'm already aware this is the case, I'm still somehow surprised how often it's confirmed that nothing has really changed in the last 30 years. Otherwise, while I think this is good at what it does, it feels like Public Enemy are starting to run out of ideas on this one. Their previous couple of albums aged surprisingly well. This one feels more repetitive and drags at many points. It does get better in the second half, imo. Still, Chuck D is as effective as ever and it's hard not to take a man with a voice like that seriously.
These guys were real - they can’t do no wrong back in the early 90s. Rap is not my thing, but when I listen to rap, I’d be listening to Public Enemy
This goes hard!!! That Anthrax track is so cool and just such a full worldview realized by the whole album - Shut Em Down prob my fav track.
just effortless and impressive but somehow public enemy has remained a bit uncool in my brain - need to unpack this further
Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.
I've come to accept that I will never fully appreciate or understand hip hop, though I do have a respect for the stuff from the 90s. It's the only time where the genre was innovating with creative sampling and deliberate songwriting, and this album only adds to my case.
3*
good
super energetic the whole way through
Is good
Great album and great beats, Loops and samples.
Did not expect it to be as good as Fear Of a Black Planet or It Takes a Nation, but was pleasantly surprised. 52 minutes of unrelenting energy with great production from The Bomb Squad. 4/5
Great!
Not as good as their two other albums on the list, but I still like this. Also, the metal version of Bring The Noise goes hard.
not this biggest fan of the hip hop
Working on the that permanent revolution is an illusion, “Apocalypse 91” is the point in Public Enemy’s I never got past as I’d read they had settled, that this was just another solid PE record. It’s solid and I’m sold: it doesn’t have the star turns of FOABP, but it’s altogether a more clubbable record while also tougher: some of the loops on the first half are amongst their most juggernaut, and if it goes on too long they were far from alone in that habit over that decade. The fuzzed-out “By the Time I Get to Arizona” sounds like Chuck D guesting on a stalwart New Kingdom track, except that it came out a year or two earlier than NK’s first LP. They were still trying new stuff. Chuck D and Flavour Flav are the most recognisable vocal partnership I’ve heard, and I’m embarrassed it’s taken me this long to appreciate that.
Not quite as bold and skillful sounding as its two predecessors but plenty to enjoy of similar intensity. I know the highlights from my trusty Def Jam compilation, in addition to my state's unofficial anthem and confirmation that the New York Post has been a piece of shit rag for at least 35 years. Fucking Murdoch
I don’t really have much of a frame of reference for most rap and hip hop, but over the years, if there is one group that resonates more than most, it is Public Enemy. They will never be on my most listened list but I can appreciate the production values and the political anger. And the links to Anthrax and ROTM make it a little more accessible for me. This is certainly miles ahead of the gangsta/bling/look at what I got stuff that seemed to dominate the genre a few years later.
Public Enemy is one of the only rap groups I genuinely like, so this was easy listening today. I actually don't know much about them and didn't know until today that Flavor Flav is part of the group. I was about 20-25 feet away from Mr. Flav a few months ago. He was hanging out with the sound guys for the Green Day concert I was at, and I was in the last row in front of the sound board. We had a drone scare mid-show which was terrifying because we didn't know at first what was going on. I turned around and saw Flavor Flav smiling and laughing with the sound guys, so I knew we were fine. I definitely never had "Seeing Flavor Flav smiling made me realize I probably wasn't going to die today" on my bingo card but life is weird that way.
More like an enemy to my ears and musical enjoyment.
239/1001
Det var bedre end forventet, jeg kom ikke til at kede mig på samme måde som jeg eller godt kan have tendens til med hip-hop.
Det fantastiske ved det her projekt er alt den musik man opdager som man ikke vidste man kunne li’. Men der er også i årets løb sket det, at jeg har fundet ud af, at jeg slet ikke kan li’ Hip Hop så godt som jeg troede. Public Enemy var ikke en af de Hip Hop grupper jeg havde det dybeste kendskab til, men de er faktisk nogle af dem der har skuffet mig mindst ind til videre. Der er numre der sidder lige i skabet, ens hovede bopper og hånderne kaster ufrivilligt håndtegn ud i luften. Og så kommer der desværre nogle missere ind i mellem som bare tager luften gevaldigt ud af albummet. Sjovt med et metal “cover” af en af deres egne tidligere hits. Og så endda et år før Body Counts debut
Decent
Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black is an album which i really enjoyed. My impressions on the first Public Enemy album i did (Fear Of A Black Planet) and technically what i think of most hip-hop albums especially on this project seemed like they were going to carry over here with the album having really good moments and really bad moments but i was pleasantly surprised to see that this album was actually consistently good throughout. With cool instrumentals, some really good social commentary and the songs sounding really distinct from each other (especially with Bring The Noise). This album did quite a lot to make me like it Best Song: Bring The Noise Worst Song: Rebirth
It's fine. I like it less than the previous albums from this project, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" and "Fear of a Black Planet," both musically and lyrically. It's pretty grating moment to moment, which was easier to overlook on their earlier albums, but here it feel like adding noise. This might be the softest two I've given thus far.
Yeah these lads peaked with nation of millions. Chuck D is still 5 stars but without any big singles on this album the production is just too messy for me to enjoy.
cool album of music
Angle-grinder abrasive beats. Historically and socially conscious lyrical context. Boom 🧨
eh... wasn't terrible. But nothing too special about it. Apart from the absurd use of the n word. 5/10 #148
I get the appeal, but the beats seem repetitive from track to track. Chuck D's vocal are a force on here though, and Flavor Flav brings it down.
Easily the weakest of the trilogy of hip hop albums Public Enemy put out from '88 to '91, where the group was falling a bit behind sonically compared to performers such as A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul. Hardcore political hip hop was out, a more mellow, concious sound was in. Still, Chuck D and co. don't let this album completely slip into a gutter, with still plenty of great cuts, and a genius combination of metal and hip hop via an Anthrax collaboration, something that wasn't the first, but was far ahead of it's time, and still one of the best takes on that combo. A good album that wasn't quite as impactful, but crtically it still hits all the right beats to be a good and proper Public Enemy release.
Aggressive, raw and yet still funky and compelling. Chuck D, and I cannot emphasise this enough, has one of the best voices in the industry. His flow is natural, his tone is magnificent. The sampling usually hits the mark, the beats are great. This may not be Public Enemy's finest, but it is still really bloody good.
Whilst it's still influential, it's nowhere near as good as "Fear of a Black Planet" and "It takes a Nation...".
This was a solid 1001st album. Good fun and full of hits. Lots of humour but also serious story telling.
Pretty good but not really my thing overall. Sounded like all Public Enemy to me, which is fine.
“These days, you can’t see who’s in cahoots Cause now the KKK wears three-piece suits.” — 4/5 Highlights: Lost At Birth By The Time I Get To Arizona Shut ‘Em Down Bring Tha Noize
missä hän on?! olen ihan hulluna sen kanssa. tarvitsen munaa imemään. tarvitsen aivoa. tarvitsen minulle pienen kaulamestari. en voi lopettaa, tunnen itseni liian hulluksi. tunnen oloni villiksi, löysen. olen valmis. missä hän on?! olen todellinen olento. en voisi koskaan törmätä kenenkään nartun takia! ostan typerää paskaa, joo! minulla on todella tämä paska. miten voisin olla homo? narttuni on homofobinen. tämä lepakkosignaali ei ole hakulaite, nämä kuokat käyttävät sitä väärin. mitä sinä olet, syönyt?! oletko vitun ruokittu?! bars on bars... kuinka moni vittu sanoisi tätä paskaa? sanoisin että ei kukaan... paitsi he! by the time i get to arizona
Doesn't feel as urgent as Black Planet or Nation of Millions. But still good.
Okay for me
Not my thing really, feel bad about the score but It’s just not!
Bit of a mixed bag, big nearly as good as their first 3 albums. But the production is good, and quite inventive as I read they tried to avoid using any well know samples to save money. Some good highlights in "Yo Niga", "Arizona" and "Shut Em Down". But the re-released track with Anthrax just feels like a cash grab.
Catchy
Can see a lot of influences on modern day hip hop and was shocked but also respect the bluntness. Fav song by the time i get to arizona
An okay album, not really my style.
This one was definitely a barrage of sound and words. Almost every track is a high energy affair. While it didn't quite grab me as much as "Fear Of A Black Planet", it's still quite good. Loses a star mainly just because I was feeling fatigue in a couple places. Overall though fantastic listen.
Easy decision for me: The album starts with a sucker and consistently holds the level.
I enjoyed this album, but I'm kind of uneducated on good vs. bad hip hop. 3* Highlight: bring the noise (shoutout to tony hawk pro skater 2)
Do you like rap music? If you do then this album is for you.¨Can´t trust it its decent it has a great beat but the lyrics I don´t really like it. They just need better lyrics so the songs can be good. I would not recommend this album because there way better hip hop out there.
This album is alright. Its lyrics didnt exactly stand out to me. Nor did the music stand out in anyway shape or form. Overall this was a decent album.
the album move was pretty good because they had a good scratcher for the album he did pretty good with it and so did the singer he wasn't bad though i could barley understand what he was saying i think this song is good but isnt the best i would recommend listening to this album
Do you like political rapp? If so then this is the album for you! It has a really good beat, and the dj keeps the beat well. Also I really don't like how it is going so fast that I can't hear the lyrics. Also they talk about politics, and I don't like that. So that is why I recommend that you don't listen to this album.
1st song- i rate like 6/10 its ok its pretty good 2nd song- i rate like 10/10 but it sound so goodd 3rd song- i rate like 10/10 its sound fire
If you like rap, this album is for you! I don't tend to like rap though... and it's only because I can't tell what they are saying/singing. Also because I don't really like the background music, and noises. In my opinion I don't really like this album because of that. I only think that you should listen to this album if you like rap. That's the only exception.
I think this album is okay. The beat can be much at some points but if you like rap, this album is for you.
I like this one, a bit more than it takes a nation. The Anthrax song also works really well. Will I listen to again: 80%
3.5☆/5 11.06.2024
Eh i get it’s importance but it kinda sucks
Seguimos con la línea de ayer, que es escuchar discos de bandas que sólo ubico por canciones sueltas. Estoy empezando a conectar con el hip-hop, así que éste álbum me ayuda a seguir indagando en el género. Sí debo decir que particularmente el hip-hop de esta época no me vuela el marote pero se escucha bien. La mayoría buenos tracks, pegadizos, con el bonus de la canción con Anthrax. See you tomorrow.
Pretty good up front, slows down a bit on the back side.
Well, I listened to it, although I believe that I could've died a happy man had I never.
Really great album. Although some songs are a skip due to the beat being way to busy or flavor flav being annoying.
3.
I think I like Public Enemy? Wha? Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Much more refined than Nation of Millions, but not quite as banging as Fear of a Black Planet, another good showing from Public Enemy. Love conscious rap that still goes big, builds from previous albums, and doesn't forget a little bit of Flava.
Apparently I did enjoy late 80's and early 90's rap more than I thought I did.
I love this album
Not really my genre but I respect the work and the political/social themes. Note sure this is the most representative of the genre so I give a 3.
Need to revisit
Absolute classic
I had never heard A Letter to the New York Post before and therefore incorrectly assumed that Lin Manuel Miranda was the first person to rap about Alexander Hamilton
I get it, I am probably in no position to rate this record if I'm the target of Ben Folds "Y'all don't know what it's like, being male, middle-class and white." Still, thanks to another male, suburban white fellow, who conveyed to me, this pops. Continual satirical minstrel narration. Relentless earnestly cynical skits. Who am I to assess whether the affected communities would even grant any credence to this goat rope of a hip hop joint. I just know what to do when I get to Arizona.
A question i ask myself when listening/reviewing music, is "what did the artist set out to accomplish? And did they succeed?" The answer to these questions here is a resounding YES! This is a record of its time and yet timeless, seemingly a bridge to the 90s.
This music is not for everyone! it’s certainly not for me. With that being said. You can hear rhythms and musicality in these songs. It is in your face and full of anger. I give it 2 stars for listenability, 3 stars for its importance in music history. And overall, be cause I will never put it on again, back to 2 stars. I like the idea that I can at least talk about public Enemy now from a place of knowledge instead of disliking them out of ignorance. I may not always like the on of these 1001 albums, but I can appreciate that they might belong on the list after seeing that some people love this. Just not me.
First I admit this album was not created for me, but honestly I felt that this, for good copyright sample reasons, was not as enjoyable as their previous album. I was familiar with the Anthrax cover of "Bring the Noise" before hearing this album so I enjoyed that track, and less so everything else on this album.
Das ist leider nicht meine Musik.
Still sounds fresh in 2024.
Apocalypse 91 ... The Enemy Strikes Back is the fourth album from Public Enemy, and the follow up to their incredibly successful third album, "Fear of a Black Planet." Apocalypse 91 was recorded shortly after all of their digital recordings were stolen. The group need to rush to reproduce material and relied more heavily on performing musicians after the loss of their sample library. These are great tracks from a socially conscious, focuses group. While not as good as their "Fear of a Black Planet," these are thoughtful, interesting riffs, without the celebration of violence and delusional arrogance that dominates the genre.
býsna góð, komnir enn meira út í iðnaðar- og málmtóna í undirleiknum.
early rap isnt realy my thing but giving it a cup of tea due to its importance. good album!
Mid
It's alright. OG rap.
I don't think I like rap anymore.
I can see the appeal, but old hip hop isn’t my fav
Enjoyed, it has the aggressive tone and unashamedly political rhetoric that you'd expect of Public Enemy. Not as consistent as 'Nation of Millions' or 'Fear of a Black Planet' as I feel like some of their signature intensity is a bit lacking in some tracks, particularly in the second half. I hadn't heard the closing track Bring Tha Noize with Anthrax before. Very interesting and sounds like it might have influenced some of the nu-metal, rap-rock in the early 00s. Good 4/5
ruidoso, molesto, mal mal
I love a clever album title! More than that, I love an album that has a strong message especially when it's societal and political commentary. A song like "Shut 'Em Down" accusing corporations of using the Black community, or "Can't Truss It" discussing another kind of slavery in today's world, or a scathing take down of a popular newspaper in "A Letter To the New York Post"--all of it was impactful. I wasn't aware about Arizona's governor cancelling MLK day, but I sure learned about it in "By the Time I Get to Arizona." Who knew Public Enemy could teach me about history? I have a lot of appreciation for how hard Public Enemy went on Apocalypse 91.
I was dragging my feet a bit going into this one. I am getting a little burnt out on 90s hip hop on this project, as I'm already not the biggest fan of the genre, and this is the third entry (so far) that I've had from Public Enemy. That said, I do very much understand and appreciate the representation that the genre has on the project. Not to mention, everything from Public Enemy thus far had hit hard in the socio-political space. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this album and felt like it may have been Public Enemy's best entry on this project thus far. Not only was it chock full of relevant political commentary, but the particular flavor (flav) of hip hop on display here was pretty catchy! The closing track, a duet with Anthrax, seems particularly monumental; this mashup of the hip hop and metal sounds would go on to be a big thing in 1990 and beyond. Not to mention, this track just generally goes HARD. In general, I also had to laugh a bit when I saw the "hardcore hip hop" genre label on this album. I'm sure this was pretty hardcore for the time, but man, how times change!
what i'm finding i really like about public enemy is that their production is always bombastic and frenetic. between the beats, chuck d's strong voice and flavor flav's hypeman energy, there's just something about the music that there's nothing like it. i also especially appreciate how focused on social commentary their music is, especially when so much of it still feels relevant today. this one surprised me a little, because it's not one of theirs that i had heard of going into it, so i wasn't sure what to expect. but the entire album is a good listen. and i did love the anthrax cover/remix of 'bring tha noize.' solid album.
**Album Review: *Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black* by Public Enemy** Released in October 1991, *Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black* marked Public Enemy's fourth studio album and cemented their place in the canon of politically conscious hip-hop. Known for their revolutionary fervor and lyrical militancy, Public Enemy continued to push boundaries with this record, blending socio-political commentary with aggressive beats and a hard-hitting production style. The album builds on the legacy of their previous work (*Fear of a Black Planet*, *It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back*), maintaining their status as some of the most formidable voices in rap. ### **Lyrical Themes** Public Enemy’s *Apocalypse 91* stands out as one of the most lyrically dense records of the early '90s, dominated by themes of systemic racism, political corruption, media manipulation, and Black empowerment. Chuck D's forceful, articulate delivery makes each track a manifesto of resistance. 1. **Race and Power Structures**: The album's core theme revolves around racial injustice. Tracks like "By the Time I Get to Arizona" sharply criticize the refusal of certain U.S. states to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The song is a direct indictment of systemic racism and exemplifies Chuck D's role as a hip-hop orator of political dissent. 2. **Media Manipulation**: Public Enemy had long critiqued how the media distorts public perception, particularly of Black people. On *Apocalypse 91*, the track “I Don’t Wanna Be Called Yo N***a” reinforces the idea that language and representation in media are critical for shaping self-perception within the Black community. 3. **Black Nationalism and Identity**: With a focus on uplifting and defending Black culture, *Apocalypse 91* embraces an unflinching pro-Black stance. Chuck D calls for self-sufficiency and unity in the face of oppressive systems. "Move!" features strong rhetoric on Black empowerment, while "Rebirth" asserts a commitment to African identity and unity, a continuation of Public Enemy’s earlier messages of collective consciousness. 4. **Violence as Resistance**: The confrontational tone in songs like "Shut 'Em Down" reflects a growing anger at the failures of peaceful resistance. Public Enemy does not explicitly advocate for violence, but the lyrics imply that resistance against oppressive structures might necessitate more drastic action. The title track, “The Enemy Strikes Black,” hints at reclaiming power through direct confrontation. ### **Music and Production** Musically, *Apocalypse 91* reflects a shift in Public Enemy’s sound. While the Bomb Squad (Public Enemy’s long-time production team) is still credited with much of the album’s overall direction, their influence is less pronounced here compared to the groundbreaking work they did on *Fear of a Black Planet* or *It Takes a Nation*. 1. **Industrial, Gritty Soundscapes**: The production leans toward an industrial, almost metallic feel. Tracks like "Lost at Birth" open with thunderous drum loops, sirens, and dense layers of aggressive samples. The relentless noise and chaotic energy of the album underscore the urgency of Public Enemy’s message. 2. **Simplified, Punchier Beats**: Compared to their earlier work, the beats on *Apocalypse 91* are more streamlined, and at times, more accessible. Songs like "Can't Truss It" rely on a pulsating groove that’s simpler than the dense collages of *Nation of Millions*. This shift sacrifices some of the complexity that made the Bomb Squad’s earlier work groundbreaking, but it makes the album hit harder in a direct way, allowing the lyrical content to take center stage. 3. **Influence of Rock and Metal**: Public Enemy incorporated more rock elements on *Apocalypse 91* than in previous albums. "Bring the Noise," a collaboration with thrash metal band Anthrax, is an excellent example. This fusion of rap and rock underscored their crossover appeal while emphasizing the urgency of their revolutionary themes. The incorporation of live instrumentation, gritty guitar riffs, and frenetic pacing adds a new layer to their sound without diluting their message. 4. **Sampling Techniques**: While sampling still plays a central role, it is used more sparingly compared to the overwhelming sample-dense tapestries in *Fear of a Black Planet*. Here, Public Enemy opts for a cleaner and sharper aesthetic, moving away from the dizzying production style that made earlier records sound almost avant-garde. The minimalist approach is a double-edged sword: it makes the album more immediate but slightly less innovative. ### **Themes of Resistance and Power** The theme of *Apocalypse 91* is deeply rooted in challenging power structures. From governmental policies to corporate America, the album positions itself as a critique of those in power who exploit and oppress marginalized communities. 1. **Corporate Critique**: “Shut 'Em Down” is a notable example of Public Enemy’s anti-corporate sentiment. It highlights the economic disparities affecting Black communities and calls for boycotts against companies that exploit or ignore Black consumers. Chuck D's assertive delivery attacks corporations for profiting off Black labor without reinvesting into the communities they exploit. 2. **Surveillance and Government Mistrust**: Tracks like "1 Million Bottlebags" deal with addiction and governmental neglect of urban communities. Public Enemy views the prevalence of alcohol in these neighborhoods as a calculated move by authorities to weaken resistance and maintain control over disenfranchised populations. The lyrics here echo the group’s consistent narrative that the government is complicit in the oppression of Black America, a theme further explored in songs like "Get the Fist." 3. **Cultural and Social Self-Defense**: On "Move!," Public Enemy touches upon the need for cultural self-defense. Chuck D's fiery delivery on this track suggests that resistance is not only necessary but inevitable, and Public Enemy positions itself as a vanguard in that struggle. Lyrics emphasize the need for strong cultural identity and unyielding defiance in the face of oppression. ### **Influence and Legacy** *Apocalypse 91* represents a critical juncture in Public Enemy’s career, solidifying their place in the rap world as icons of resistance and political engagement. 1. **Expanding Hip-Hop’s Reach**: Public Enemy’s collaboration with Anthrax on "Bring the Noise" was a milestone for blending hip-hop with heavy metal, setting a precedent for future collaborations between rap and rock artists. This crossover success showed that hip-hop could transcend genre boundaries while retaining its message of rebellion and resistance. 2. **Political Hip-Hop as a Genre**: While Public Enemy was already synonymous with political hip-hop, *Apocalypse 91* reinforced their influence on the genre. The album inspired a wave of politically charged rap in the early ‘90s, with groups like Dead Prez, Paris, and even Ice Cube taking cues from Public Enemy's unapologetic stance. 3. **Mainstream and Cultural Impact**: Though *Apocalypse 91* did not receive the same groundbreaking critical acclaim as *It Takes a Nation of Millions*, it performed well commercially and resonated deeply with fans. The album reached #4 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating that political hip-hop could achieve mainstream success. More importantly, it became a rallying cry for those within the African American community grappling with racial inequality and institutional neglect. ### **Pros of *Apocalypse 91*** 1. **Lyrical Mastery and Directness**: Chuck D’s voice and lyrical content remain the most powerful aspect of the album. His precision, anger, and clear articulation of political and social issues are unmatched in their intensity. 2. **Timeliness and Urgency**: The album is a snapshot of early ‘90s America, filled with palpable frustration over race relations, corporate greed, and media manipulation. These themes remain relevant, which is a testament to the timeless nature of the issues Public Enemy tackled. 3. **Cross-Genre Influence**: The collaboration with Anthrax expanded Public Enemy’s influence and brought new fans into the fold. It also showcased that hip-hop could successfully blend with other genres without losing its potency. 4. **Cohesive, Focused Messaging**: The album maintains a consistent thematic focus throughout its runtime. Public Enemy's dedication to fighting systemic oppression and empowering Black listeners is evident in every track. ### **Cons of *Apocalypse 91*** 1. **Less Innovative Production**: Compared to previous albums, the production feels less groundbreaking. While it is still powerful and effective, it lacks the dense layering and complexity that made albums like *It Takes a Nation of Millions* sonically revolutionary. 2. **Limited Range in Subject Matter**: While the album's thematic consistency is a strength, it can also be a limitation. The constant focus on politics, racism, and empowerment, while central to Public Enemy's mission, may feel overwhelming or repetitive to some listeners. 3. **Shortcomings in Flava Flav’s Role**: Flava Flav, often seen as Public Enemy’s wild card, seems less essential here compared to earlier albums. His comedic and zany presence takes a backseat, leaving the album feeling a bit more serious and less playful, which could be seen as a drawback for fans who enjoyed his energy on earlier records. ### **Conclusion** *Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black* stands as a landmark album, not just for Public Enemy, but for the entire genre of hip-hop. The album’s uncompromising political stance, aggressive sound, and unapologetic critique of systemic injustices make it a timeless piece of art. However, the streamlined production and singular focus may limit its appeal to those outside of Public Enemy's already devoted fanbase. Despite this, the album remains an essential listen for anyone interested in the intersection of politics and music, and its influence continues to resonate today. Public Enemy’s legacy as one of the most important and outspoken groups in hip-hop history was only further cemented by this release.
5/5. The production is so chaotic and loud, it works so well to match the energy the rappers are bringing. Each song just has great beats and instrumentation. It is very complex and layered that it feels so full and dope. It is also surprisingly danceable and catchy. I don't remember wanting to skip any songs even if I didn't catch all of the lyrics but from what I did catch, they were rapping about ideals I mostly agree with, like ACAB, pro-black messages, and anti-racist morals. I did hear some anti-gay lyrics but I'd have to relisten to confirm. I can see how these songs can be overwhelming but I enjoyed it all the way through. Excited to check out more Public Enemy. Best Song: Can't Truss It, By The Time I Get To Arizona, Bring Tha Noize
It was ok. Nothing very special to me, but ok.
3 good
a lot to say!
Not as good as the last one.
this was very repetitive
Didn’t like it at all. The album was really irritating.
It's perfectly fine old school rap, not a huge favour flav fan, but the beats are solid and the rapping is passable
"East Coast" West Coast becomes neither. It didn't help that the more meticulous treatment was stolen, and this revision was rushed. Bring Tha Noize was an ill-conceived collaboration with Anthrax, but I guess everyone had to do the Rap/Metal thing back then. Better than Aerosmith + Run DMC. Falls short of the Beastie Boys or Body Count. On the other hand, it's still P.E.
Appreciate what they did and do. YEAAHH BOIIII
I grew up in the early 90s and it is a real travesty that 30+ years later, I can still recite every lyric in that rap about butts, the one about the dog doing the wild thing ON MY LEG, and I know what it means to wax a chump like a candle, but I have no memory of hearing any of this on the radio.
Vihanen ja raflaavat beatit! Kyllä! 4/5
Dynaaminen räppisstyge. 3/5
I liked the rhythms and flow of the album quite a bit, even if it was sometimes a tad too much.
great time for a long ride
It’s a decent album, I vastly prefer Fear of a Black Planet and It Takes a Nation of Millions
A really solid PE album but not their best. A definite 4.
*Does NOT deserve even one star! No music, just rap and noise
Nice rhyme
Can see why it's on the list. Didn't like it though, the Antrax collab the high point.
Compared to their first album, I enjoyed this one. They had some insightful lyrics and good rhythms/samples. I appreciated also that they were not swearing every other word.
It just wasn’t my style. I understand what they were campaigning for and the overall importance that have. Overall, it just wasn’t pleasant.
Look, this is a great album from a great group. They lyrics (for the most part) have a lot of purpose and intentionality behind them, they are about actual issues not just stupid gangsta rap bs and Chuck D has incredible delivery. The Bomb Squad is also great, love them. However I just don't understand why Flavor Flav is even a part of the group. Like what is he bringing to the table? I feel like he's kinda a joke, he doesn't have the same intensity as Chuck and just sort of appears on random tracks. I really feel like he undercuts a lot of the seriousness on this album and I think that kinda hurts it. Still great overall.
I enjoyed that there was more music & less sampling. just not my style. it is a window into early 90's culture tho
I don't think there is a voice more perfectly suited for rap ever than Chuck D's. The previously Public Enemy albums broke the ground, but this album was a group at their peak, striking an amazing, balance, producing an incredibly impressive, brutally unapologetic set of serious yet sonically infectious songs unlike anything anywhere.
I was a bit crook while listening to this, so i'm giving it a bonus half a star assuming i wasn't listening that well
It’s a classic. But not for me.
1. lozt - 1 2. rebirth - 0 3. train - 1.5 4. truzz - 1.5 5. nigga - 0 6. kill - 1.5 7. arizona - 1 8. move - 1.5 9. million - 1.5 10. neuuz - 1 11. douun - 1 12. neuu york - 1.5 13. dodge - 1.5 14. noize - 1
Nothing I wanna come back to again and again, but there's some decent stuff here.
Rating: 5/10 Meh. Choice cut: Bring Tha Noize
Este género, particularmente en los 80 y principios de los 90, me pasa por encima. Nunca acabo de entenderlo. Pero no es como en el Country, género que activamente detesto, así que acá al menos puedo apreciar la musicalidad y las letras. Incluso hay canciones que con la desventaja de escuchar alejado geográfica y temporalmente, puedo apreciar y hasta tararear.
Not for me
Funky and enjoyable. Critical commentary and eloquent explanation of the times. In line with the early 90's rap scene
Better than I expected. Some bangers in here.
I liked it, but felt it wasn't quite as strong as Fear Of A Black Planet. Good beats though, and I like the contrast between Chuck D's and Flavor Flav's voices.
If I was into this genre it would be a 5 star, but I'm not. Though this is a great album!
Love PE, Chuck D is brilliant, even if you don’t agree with his politics. The fact that he calls out Black folks hurting the black cause as well as call out the white folks shows he’s looking at the big picture and not just playing a victim. Plus, they flow so well. Not necessarily my favorite PE album, but definitely a solid entry on their discography.
Rap just not my thing
3.5
Angry. Just how I like my HipHop
Still passionate, still exciting! I feel that this was PE’s first album in the wake of a really large audience, which I suppose changed their approach and broadened their focus a bit. If the result is somehow less overall powerful as their more underground efforts, it is only by a minor degree. Everything still feels real and relevant, and still hits hard.
High-octane, hard-edged, swinging and pounding music. Almost feels like a more rap-oriented companion to Rage Against the Machine, although that’s sort of a labored comparison that probably doesn’t do either album proper justice. The production is a little too busy and crazy for me on most songs, but this is still a fairly rewarding listen. Best song: Bring the Noise
I'm so torn between a 3 and a 4. I need more time with it probably. It Takes A Nation of Millions is an easy 5 star album for me, and the only one Public Enemy album I'd listened to before this one, which just didn't hit the same highs for me. By The Time I Get To Arizona and Bring Tha Noize were my favorites tracks. So good.
Sono felice l'album sia arrivato secondo al Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll, ma se ci fossi stato io tra i giudici del Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll dubito si sarebbe piazzato al secondo posto del Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
Yawn, just not my thing
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black is the fourth studio album by Public Enemy, originally released in 1991. After making a huge splash in the late 80s-early 90s, I was curious to hear what one of Public Enemy's late-ish albums would sound like. I feel like this is one of their lesser-known records too. The 90s gave rise to the boom-bap sound in hip-hop and I felt that Public Enemy would struggle to keep up. That is not the notion I got from listening to this record. They were still as groundbreaking as ever. If anything, I can hear the influence that 90s rappers got from Public Enemy. The instrumentals on here particularly stand out as great. The original tapes for this record were stolen so the group rushed to finish this record in time. I still think this is a really solid record despite that. It doesn't sound rushed to me. Great listen.
Another great album from public enemy that more than deserves to be on this list, but really isn’t in the same league as their masterpiece “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” Given this also came in 1991 it maybe hasn’t dated as well as the low end theory. So good album, but not a classic.
awesome rap album. They have a unique style and sound and would be great to jam to at parties.
Overshadowed by It Takes A Nation of Millions and Fear Of A Black Planet, I’d completely forgotten how good this album is. Chuck D as ever is preaching from a mountain top, seeing the big picture. Flav is less of a comic foil than usual, more an everyman in conversation with the preacher man. Turning the Anthrax namecheck from ITANOM into a collaboration is the highlight.
this album hits hard in both message and instrumentation. a very angry and political hip-hop album bringing light to the divisive issues that america faces, especially against african americans. even with civil rights movements and acts in place, why must injustice and police brutality still occur day after day, week after week? why must big organizations and smaller groups treat afro-americans like lesser beings? not only are the lyrics aggressive, but the beats are as well, mixing BIG drum loops with vintage funk samples. also flava flav is featured in this album. white supremacy is a fucking disease.
There is too much rap on this list. Not as terrible as some of the others but not my thing.
I surprisingly really liked this one. I normally only listen to dark trap in the rap/hip hop genre but i really liked this. Some parts were a little repetitive but it was a lot better than some of the stuff ive heard here. A solid 4/5
Man, Public Enemy definitely had a sound all of their own, Apocalypse is another great example of that. This album is consistently good from start to finish, and the remix/Anthrax-collab of Bring Tha Noize is an awesome left turn style-wise to close the album with! 3.75/5
Public Enemy rules. I've liked all that I've heard. I really didn't expect myself to be someone who would like this, as I don't like a lot of gangsta rap stuff that comes right after this, but yeah, these are all bangers. 4/5
Silly me, I always assumed that Public Enemy were a two-album wonder act*, but that’s just not fair or right, this is good! A worthy follow up to Fear of a Black Planet and features some killer tracks.. B *for some reason, I always thought the Anthrax remix of Bring the Noise was a non-album single. I’m used to it on my Attack of the Killer B’s CD
Very fun album
I just don't think early 90s hip hop is for me. Sounds so dated now.
Fuck fuck fuck yeah! One of these tracks was played on a boombox on the first day of my Rhetoric 20 class at Berkeley my first day of college, and Public Enemy has been near and dear to my heart ever since.
Once again another all time PE classic. They churned out way more hits than it felt like and this production was just so ahead of it's time with how harsh and almost industrial it was at times. A little interesting to hear some of the views on this album about their own feelings towards how black people in america act, very akin to The Blacker the Berry by Kendrick in which you do feel if they were asked now to talk about it, they would approach it with a lot more nuance than is presented here. But nuance is usually limited in the medium of music so it does make sense. But overall this was fantastic and I left fueled up to to point passion and energy somewhere and was ushered out by my favourite hip hop/metal crossover maybe ever.
not for me
Very nice
Fantastic album from beginning to end
Un autre album hip-hop correct à cocher de cette liste
3.5/5
I like the energy on this despite at times feeling like I was too white to be allowed to listen to it.
Loved this album - it's so high tempo and the energy never quits over the entire runtime. The production is dazzling and the rapping is just as good, energetic, urgent, current, and so forward-moving in hip hop. Best Track: Nighttrain Worst Track: Bring Tha Noize
Oldschool.
Lyrics are incredible. I don't usually like being lectured to when I'm listening to music but I seem to always be able to make an exception for Chuck D. Only downside is how repetitive it can be
Just not my type of music
Not really listened to Rap so looking forward to the introduction. Lost at Birth was fun. Nighttrain is a fucking banger. Fav. Half way through haven’t heard any of this before but thourghly enjoying my first real experience with 90s Rap/Hip-Hop. Hadn’t heard any of it before but very enjoyable 7/10
Love it.
Not a rap fan
Some great beats and mighty rapping
Avec irrévérence et une bonne dose d'humour noir, Public Enemy aborde les questions du racisme et de la condition afroaméricaine d'une façon qui demeure (malheureusement) toujours pertinente et incisive plus de 30 ans plus tard
Is Flav arguing that the NYPost shouldn’t have written a story about him beating his wife? Wth?
A powerful album full of great story telling and writing with a few exceptions. Samples hit hard, vocals hit harder. This is an angry album that almost hits like a metal album, ironically culminating in a crossover track with Anthrax. Had to turn down the *N word song. Outside of that, great album.
Good politically charged listen.
I can see the historical importance, but the rap feels very outdated. The metal/rap version of being the noise with Anthrax is the cherry on top
Liked the smooth drum samples
Positively surprised by this one. The political themes and the 90s beats got to me. Had a lot more time for this than I thought I would. And this gets extra points for contributing to the tony hawk‘s soundtrack.
Throwback to a time where - saying "yo", - rhyming "yo" with "dough", - AABB rhyme schemes in general (e.g., "I was watching the TV screen; Can't believe what I seen; Three guys tried to rob a store; Got more than what they bargained for") were very cool. Frosted-tips-cool. All in all, the beats are too repetitive and stripped back for me and the rap style feels a bit clumsy and dated, but this album serves as an insightful link between funk and soul, and rap as we've come to know it since. PS: OOOH YEAH Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2!
Nighttrain Can't Truss It By the Time I Get to Arizona Shut 'Em Down Bring tha Noize
Average, last song was the best
Stands up quite well
It was intriguing and entertaining. I would listen again, but it's not something I'd want to listen to on a loop. Three stars for my own personal preferences, but bumping up to four because I hear how it influenced so much for its genre.
Giving it a 3.5 - 4, it's Public Enemy, and it's good
Bring Tha Noize
music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
This must mean there are three Public Enemy records on this list, right? What a world! Like this one quite a lot, just not as much as Fear, or Nation (which I imagine is the third). Closing track absolutely rocks but everyone knows that.
Aptly aggressive Calling out fat injustice While repping culture
This was a fun album. I certainly wasn’t expecting that finisher track which was Anthrax featuring Public Enemy. It went super hard and was a song that I wouldn’t expect to be good. It seems like metal and hip hop coming together could only really make the silliness that was most nu-metal, but this felt stronger. Anyway, aside from just that one track, I still enjoyed this. This is going to be up there with my preferred hiphop albums.
God, I can’t stand this. It will be a blessed day when I discover an album that opens my ears to American hip hop in a positive way. It's certainly not going to come from Public Enemy.
“By the Time I Get to Arizona” was something of a revelation. What a fucking track! Great writing overall, but the rest of it musically doesn’t do much for me. 3/5
Rocky hip hop beats, aggressive lyrics, good energy
Non-stop bombastic rap with rock influence. It's hard, sharp, rhythmic and powerful. Cool stuff
Not really my thing. Musically better than the earlier albums, but that's not really the point.
Public Em is fantastic here. I use to think Flava Flav was joke but dude has some pretty good lyrics and drops some good beats. This album has some great tracks and their message stays on point throughout.
Allora, non sono riuscita a terminarlo, dopo un po' diventa ripetitivo e mi ha stancata. Peccato, ero partita carica a alla fine più di tanto non posso dargli (sarebbe 2,5).
questo album ha il problema di tutti gli album rap old school: dopo un po' sono tutte, tutte, uguali. ma comunque molto orecchiabile.
Ho sentito che nel nostro gruppo sta serpeggiando un po’ di rock fatigue. Ecco, io invece penso proprio di avere la hip-hop fatigue.
Sono felice l’album sia arrivato secondo al Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll, ma se ci fossi stato io tra i giudici del Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll dubito si sarebbe piazzato al secondo posto del Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
This is the sound of ADHD.
Not bad at all. Pretty ground breaking back in the day. I will definitely listen to this again or at least listen to the hits on the album.
Ñie
My God they were incredible. 30 years later the issues still remain…
It’s like that y’all.
I can definitely hear the politics on this record. "Political hiphop" is definitely an accurate label here lol. The production is great, but there are some weaker tracks. The rhymes are great, and some hooks are definitely catchy. Overall, not essential, but really good hiphop. If you like biggie, wu-tang and gangsta rap in general, this will likely be up your alley. 3 important tracks: Bring Tha Noize, Move! and By The Time I Get To Arizona.
I’d be lying if I didn’t find this a little samey right up to the point Bring Tha Noize blew my ears off
Hard hitting hip hop from a golden era of the genre. While I’m more familiar with their hits and first album this one was a fantastic album through and through. Creative beats and samples, lyrics that go hard and bring the message home. So much to love here.
Loved it, classic sounds of the early 90s!
Nice upbeat songs! Classic sound, liked the vibes 4 ⭐️
Brilliant production, explosive lyrics, dizzying use of samples, contemporary relevance, absolutely wonderful
PUBLIC ENEMY FOREVER
Held up much better than many of the late 80's or early 90's hip hop albums. Some of the beats on here are immaculate and Chuck D is doing what he does best. 3.5/5
This was cool. Chuck D's voice is so tough. Closing out the album with a metal song featuring Anthrax is nuts, I'd imagine especially in 91'. Very rad, probably my favourite old school hip hop album so far. Flava Flav is boring - bordering annoying, but whatever.
A classic.
Day116 - it’s a shame that the same problems that chuck d wrote about 30+ years ago still apply. by the time i got to arizona is a fantastic song
first listen. usually i love old school rap but this list made me realize that i do not like Public Enemy like at all.
It was good, I didn’t like it as much as fear of a black planet though.
Liked it. Sometimes Public Enemy can be very one dimensional, but their message is good and it still works overall. 3.5/5 Might listen again
A revolutionary album with powerful lyrics that hits at the racial divides with authority.
Another PE album! Wasn't too familiar with the titles on thos one except 'Shut 'em Down'. Was expecting to find it a bit 'more of the same' to the ground-breaking early albums. But really they are still in full swing now and seem to have a new target in Gangsta-rap. Made me laugh out loud in a couple of places. It does continue the feel of the other ones, sampling maelstrom, shouty polemic and Flav as slightly soulful sounding court jester. It's good.
This album has lots of great beats. There's also some good verses. It's not the best rap album especially compared to A Tribe Named Quest's work. That Anthrax feature at the end was cool. I've reviewed a lot of albums now. 3 stars for a good effort.
Sorry i dont think I like it, its too much nooooise
Really good songs. Really good beats. Definitely feels like the early 90's rap era. Worth another listen. Fav song is I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Niga
I'm not much of a hip-hop fan, but of all the hip-hop that I'm not really a fan of, I'm most a fan of this sort of hip-hop. It's OK.
Having listened to the two albums preceding this by Public Enemy and throughly enjoying them, I went into this with high hopes and it's safe to say that my expectations were exceeded. Things sound a bit less noisy than before which does take away some of the punch, but that is more than made up for by each track just being a real jam to listen to.
Awesome album to caulk a tub to.
Interesting
Not a whole lotta variety in terms of vibe n tempo but the vibe n tempo it hits are on the mark …. GOOD stuff …
Was somewhat familiar with Public Enemy’s game, and thought “Apocalypse 91” was just fine… Their style is their style, and it did get a bit repetitive after a while – but I’m okay with that… Going to say that “Shut Em Down” was the best track IMO, as I’d give that song 4-stars out of 7-stars in my little rating system… Nothing mind-blowingly awesome on this album – but nothing all that awful either, so going to slot it in at a solid 2.50 stars – but just can’t get it to a 3, so a 2 it is…
2.7/5 Best Track: idk
Not my cup of java.
not for me
Smart, unapologetically strident message, spiked with humor and righteous anger. The lyrics hit hard, because they still ring true today. Tough as nails vibe, but beautifully crafted flow from track to track. Fave songs: Bring tha Noize, How to Kill a Radio Consultant, Can't Truss It, By the Time I Get to Arizona, Shut 'Em Down, Nighttrain, 1 Million Bottlebags
Solid
Protest rap. Good production and authoritative delivery
Hip hop ist nicht so meins aber Public Enemy und dann diese kritischen Texte, das ist schon gut
it just sucks. never heard that many n-words in a hiphop album before either NNN
Brilliant. Makes me want to watch re-runs of flava of love - the best reality show ever created. Why isn’t it back on tv? 4.5
Old school rap is great but this one wasnt a favourite of mine from their albums
I don’t like rap. It’s repetitive
No
Should have been 2.5. Some good stuff but not their best
I tuned out PE after their second album and realize now I was missing out. Doesn't cover much new ground musically but Chuck D and Flavor are on point and their messages are still relevant today, unfortunately.
Since first hearing them in "Do the Right Thing", I've enjoyed most of what I've heard from Public Enemy (although it's mainly been Chuck D's voice and lyrics, and I've never really enjoyed Flavor Flav nearly as much). Since this album *isn't* "Fear of a Black Planet", I'm happy to think that there are likely two PE albums in the 1001 collection, or at least I hope so, since this is a good album but not as good or classic as "Fear of a Black Planet" (or "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" for that matter). That said, I enjoyed a fair number of songs on this album, and was surprised I'd heard several of them before (long ago). And of course it had that (to me) instant classic mash-up "Bring tha Noize (with Anthrax)", which blew my mind when I first heard it (apparently a few years before this album, although my conviction that I'd heard it on a school bus in high school must have been the original and not the co-Anthrax version). A lot of good stuff on this album, and fun to hear a familiar-sounding band playing tunes I haven't heard. And impressive to know that they cranked out this album after losing all their tracks/"data" from the past 5 years.
Got off to a great start with lots of references to the amazing It Takes a Nation of Millions... but then it didn't deliver much beyond a reworking of their earlier stuff. I enjoyed it but it's not great the way A Nation of Millions is.
A bit brilliant, a bit long. I think there is a five star shorter version of this but you could cut it down to about 12 tracks. By the time I got to Arizona is amazing 4
Absurdo de bom, beats incriveis e todos os versos são fantásticos. Só não é maior a nota pq a agressividade do álbum cansa depois de um tempo, são relativamente parecidas as músicas Fav tracks: Lost At Birth, Nighttrain, Can't Truss It, I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Niga, How To Kill A Radio Consultant, Shut Em Down, A Letter To The New York Post Least fav track: Bring Tha Noize
Yeah good, enjoyed this. When rap was about anger and dissatisfaction instead of Bentley's money and misogyny. Early 90s rap really was the spirit of punk reborn in the American inner cities.
Surprisingly enjoyed this, never listened to public enemy before, expected to dislike this.