Reviews (page 6 of 7)
Influential but not exactly my style.
It's good, but a bit much to listen to a whole hour of it. I prefer 'it takes a nation..'
not bad
I quite enjoyed this one. Fun, energetic, slightly chaotic hip-hop.
Ganske gode greier, men ikke 100%
Enjoyed listening to this more than expected. Didn't make it to the end of the album though
Enjoyed this one more than the album with hella horns, whistles, and sirens and that’s about all I can say about that right now
Good meaningful album, just not really my style.
Tony hawk vibes
Didn't enjoy this as much as It takes a nation.... but still solid. Bring the Noize is immense
Aggressive, powerful, lairy hip hop. Absolutely enjoyed it! Loved it? No, enjoyed it? Oh hell yes. But then, I like hip hop. It’s fun to hear the original hip hop masters and I hope to hear more like this. I’ve got “A Nation of Millions” and have probably listened to it maybe twice in ten years! Need to get back to it! This is great! Definitely won’t be for everyone though! Very polarising record I would expect! A three star album, but a BIG three stars!
Solid album. You can totally see the roots of hip hop.
Somehow I never warmed up to Public Enemy.. a shame but listening again still didn't change the fact
You could've grabbed any of the first few PE records for this list. Bring Tha Noize with Anthrax tho, a solid track that was also featured on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game, cementing the legacy of Public Enemy in skate culture, video game culture, and music history.
It is music with a lot of rhythm, but not for all occasions. I think I would listen to this album when I need a lot of energy or when I don't have to be very focused.
feels a bit black panther movement, but some of the clips criticizing black people are interesting generally not that interesting musically mainly a political statement
I know I mentioned that I like public enemy except for the vocals but this album was almost the opposite. I liked everything except for the beats which started out cool then got grating by the end of the song. Can’t truss it is the worst example of this while by the time I get to Arizona is the best example. Still good hip hop all around but starting to make me wonder if the issue I had with this was what I really had with the last one. Btw listened to this during a big fight with Chloe so that might’ve skewed my opinion idk.
might be more enjoyable if I listen to this album while looking at the lyrics. That's what I always think when listening to hiphop/rap. Read a bit about the background. Seems like the main theme is about American politics and media.
I enjoyed this quite a bit, I kind of wish I could go back to 12 year old me and try again, this time actually giving rap a red hot go.
Ah good they got one without professor griff lmao Over solid early 90s rap album and a very public enemy sound
very good, just a specific genre that i wasn’t 100% vibing w in the moment
I don't know what to say anymore. It wasn't bad. How's that?
I gave this album 3 or 4 pretty decent listen and I found it quite consistent and not much to complain about. But none of the songs stand out to me. The album is strong but the individual songs have blended in to one another for me. Without at least on standout track I have to give it 3 stars
90's Hip Hop in its purest form. Man, these dudes had something to say! Bonus for Bring tha Noize being featured on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
You can always tell if you’re listening to Public Enemy, but sometimes I wonder if that’s a good thing. Still, I love Chuck D & I love the band’s politics, which are on full display here. And any band who can name a song Get The Fuck Outta Dodge deserves huge credit in my book. Not their best album, but worth the trouble, all the same.
Some funny shit. 3/5 hoppers
Awesome record! I saw this tour!!
YEEEEEEAH BOYYYYYYEEEEEE! 3.5 stars
I can definitely see how this is an important album to rap as a whole, and I did enjoy it, though I think the beats and sonic aspects are a bit outdated.
I preferred the first Public Enemy album that I found on this list.
Fav song was by the time I get to Arizona, cool fuzzed out riff and choir sample. I don’t wanna be your n*** had a sort of cool guitar sample. Some kind of cool production on this album but a lot of the songs sounded the same and it was kind of repetitive/forgettable. Probably won’t listen again
I enjoyed this album slightly more than It Takes a Nation but that's not saying much since I wasn't a fan of that album. I think the production on this album is a lot more enjoyable. The lyrical content is basically the same on both albums. The production on this was reminiscent of all of the fun boom bap that came out in that era however not much of that boom bap era has aged very well. Public Enemy are culturally significant for the time they were in but I don't understand the need to put more then one Public Enemy album in this list, or maybe i'm just mad that i've gotten Public Enemy albums two days in a row. My enjoyment: 6/10 Need to be on this list: 5/10
Some old school hip-hop that seems appropriate to be on this list and you can't deny the influence and importance of this release, but I can't say I blown away. It was good and I enjoyed most of it, it's just that I can't see myself listening to this regularly. ***1/2
30 years later and I still don’t understand Flavor Flav’s giant clock necklace. To be fair, I have never really looked into it. And he is a great hype man. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the word Nigger. About how it is a horrible word and shouldn’t be said. About how it has been taken back by Black people and used as a representation of power. And about how that is all well and good but if you are going to put it in a song that millions of people listen to you shouldn’t be surprised or angry if that word gets said/sung/shouted by non-black people. I don’t know if any of the members of public enemy have expressed anger over this, maybe I am just thinking about Jay Z. It is quite the conundrum. The album was solid. I would’ve thought that It Takes a Nation… (Rebel Without a Pause) or even Fear of a Black Planet (911 is a Joke) would have been the PE album chosen, but as I have not investigated all of the albums that are on this list they very well may be on there, too!
Not as bombastic as their previous two, which is what I love of about PE. Plus, anytime Flav is rapping I'm tuning out. Still Chuck D's lyrics are (sadly) relevant, even if he's not as gifted of an MC as some of the guys who followed in his wake. Personally, I'd chop this album chop off the list.
3+
Strong statements about black people stigmatization.
Not my favourite of theirs but overall it's very solid
Not as gripping as "Fear of a Black Planet" but still a good album.
Voelt wel alsof het veel invloed heeft gehad, maar voor de rest niet heel super. Die track met Anthrax was wel een goeie
I actually enjoyed this (not being a great fan of hip-hop)! Harder and more varied than Gangstarr from the same era. Chuck D’s voice is deep and authoritative, the Bomb Squad are good on the production and turntables. The message is socially conscious and free from gun toting and too much unnecessary swearing.
I like that Tony Hawk song
legal
Great 1990s vibes.
Good stuff
Good for singalong with the kids.
90’s rap
I enjoyed this album and the themes Public Enemy tackles are so much better than a LOT of their contemporaries. In the end I've never been incredibly into their delivery.
Bring the Noise! with Anthrax. Nice. Great sounds throughout. 3/5
Really strong start but fell off a bit
Le style de musique préhistorique-rap confirme qu'il est l'un des ennemis publics du générateur.
Look, it's still good. But it ain't no Fear Of A Black Planet.
Some funky shit
Not my thing but good
Good
How many PE albums are on here? I think this is the third one for me. They’re all pretty good but it’s really hard to distinguish between them.
Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.
Classic. I love the flow and delivery on this. Just smacks u in the ass. Aldo I thought Flav was just a hype man but he spits some bars too. Sick. Bring the noise with anthrax is so insane to me. Turned out great. It's like when run dmc dropped a track with Aerosmith but 100000% cooler.
Surprised how much I liked this. Will listen again and to other PubliC Enemy albums
Classic hip hop. Great beats. Great bars.
Favourite track(s): How To Kill A Radio Consultant; More News At 11 The only way in which I had previously been confronted with this kind of Hip-Hop was with music by the Beastie Boys. Did not ever sort the genre out after that. Not because I could not vibe with some of the beats and harsh words drilled into your ear - there are times when I could see myself listening to these tracks again. But the problems discussed are just a little too far detached from my own social sphere and experience. And, on repeat, I do find these beats a little exhausting. Still interesting what Flavor Flav got famous for. Apparently it was not Flavor of Love.
First half was really good, last half was mediocre and a bit much.
Несильно альбом запоминается, хотя он очень атмосферный. Семплы классные.
The few gems in this album are really great. The overall album feels both dated and ahead of its time. 5/10
It was alright - wouldn't listen to it again.
sounds like it'll be intense.
Solid album. A few filler tracks it feels. Bring Tha Noize, Shut em Down are fantastic. By The Time I Get to Arizona has a great vibe.
The bars were kinda hitting and the production was a lot better than I thought it would be. Don’t know if I’d listen to any songs individually though
These old hip hop albums were’t as focused on the songwriting, in terms of choruses and structure, the way the genre does today, but the lyricism is unparalleled, something seriously lacking in today’s mainstream hip hop. That is the album’s biggest selling point on top of interesting sample production throughout and a unique ending collaboration with Anthrax.
An album that sounds very crowded and at time a bit overwhelming due to so many rappers at the same time. Despite that, the album left me fairly neutral, nothing really positive or negative to point out
bom rap dos anos 90, 3/5
Riktigt feta breakbeats, men mixen lämnar mycket att önska. En trea tack vare visionen.
Not bad. Not my style of hip hop, however.
Decent album! Fine to listen to, probs don’t need to go too much deeper though.
I can see how this is a seminal album in the hip hop genre, but its not my favorite. There is a style of hip hop just after this in the later 90's that I like more. The beats are simpler and more jazz influenced and the rap has a little more rhythm. Shut em down was my favorite on the album. 3.5 / 5
When this album ended I immediately put on rage against the machine. Public enemy obviously was a huge influence on some of the bands I love now however I didn’t love this album. At one point I checked to see how many songs were left which is never good. Still lost at birth, I don’t wanna be called, and shut em down we’re great songs. Also bring tha noize is an all time classic and started a trend in hard music whether or not that was a good thing is probably up for debate. Sooooo 3/5 liked a lot of it but would rather listen to other albums that are similar.
Hressilegt stöff. Mig langar alltaf pínu til að hrista hnefann í áttina að yfirvöldum þegar ég hlusta á Public Enemy.
Lyssnade i Gif-Sur-Yvette
Good listen. Great production. Content is still relevant today.
Classic 90s political and social activism rap. Not one my favorite of the rap groups, but I'm definitely wanting to explore their discography and learn more about them.
De va helt cheeeling
Best Song: Can't Truss It. Chuck D's performance here is the best on the album. Worst Song: I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Niga. Why? Flavor Flav. Overall: I fucking hate Flavor Flav. I know it's not exactly a hot take, but his presence diminishes the value of everything he touches. I get that's he's supposed to be like a comedic counterpoint to Chuck D, but that would require him being funny.
Yet another that maybe I would 'get' if I listened to the lyrics
Love the energy. The N word is used quite liberally. Like Django Unchained, would it carry as much heft if it was left out? It's definitely a statement album.
Still holds up well... very focused and cohesive. Bring tha Noize is an interesting experiment, but seems to be the least successful here. Solid.
It wasn't long since I heard "Fear of a Black Planet". The mentioned album is driven by a rich multilayered array of samples. Released right after that, "Apocalypse 91" creates an immediate impression that Public Enemy used much less sampling here. It wasn't intentional probably, because they apparently lost a bunch of tapes that they've been working on for years. The stripped-down sound reveals Public Enemy in it's purer, angrier form. They still delivered complex and timeless political commentaries, most of the time looking inwards into the violence and other problems in America's black community. As a listen, it's not as exhausting as their previous, but personally, it's less enjoyable. Very '90s gangsta rap despite the social consciousness not usually incorporated in the subgenre. But again, it's Public Enemy and they put political awareness in the usual gangsta rap fad of their time.
I didn't like so much how I expected, but is OK.
Not much I can say here, as I'm really not well-versed in hip-hop music. However, I think this album is fantastic! There's a lot of really biting political lyrics on the songs, and I think it all works well together as a full album. Favorite song was probably Bring Tha Noize, because I really love the guitars behind the vocals, but as a whole this was a really good dip into the genre for me I think.
It's fine but doesn't hit as hard as "It Takes A Nation" or "Fear Of A Black Planet".
As I wrote in review of an N.W.A. album: A lot of anger and pain went into making this. Lived, real, and if neither, the art is greater for their ability to convey the imagined. In the case of this album I felt less shouted at, as it seems more conversational and theatrical, perhaps in part to the levity brought to the mix by Flavor Flav.
An ok album. Love Chuck D
Un sound troppo esasperato e violento.
like it
Bring the noise carries this album for me
the last song goes hard
Some good classic hip-hop! A cool album concept, though became a little repetitive sounding as the songs went on
Great old school hip hop album. Not my usual genre but it's was a good listen.
Höll på att stänga av vid första låten. Mad obnoxious. Sen blev det bättre
åter igen old school hip hop är the shissle
Zelfde vibe als vorige album, ook dikke prima dus
Not heard PE for ages. Loved the movie quotes. Decent.
Chuck D why did you Start hanging with flava flav? You didn’t need him
I don't super know how to break this one down. It's a decent political commentary about issues that still persist today. Then Flav comes in with some homophobic bars and makes light of beating his partner. At the time maybe it was a really heavy hitting album, however listening to it now. Hasn't aged well at all.
I think probably the best hip-hop I've had on this so far. Still not my genre of choice, but very listenable
The message: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The music: ⭐️⭐️ The social commentary is biting and on point, but the rapping and beats are hit and miss. There are a few three or four star songs, and less random yelling from Flava Flav (see my “Fear of a Black Planet” review), but this still falls short of its potential. But, damn, they pulled no punches, especially at the end of “Shut Em Down.”
They turned up the political and social commentary ("I Don't Wanna be Called Yo Nigga" is particularly interesting considering the pervasive use of the word in later hip hop). I actually like this better than It Takes A Nation.
Good classic rap album. Not their best but it’s hard to top one of the best rap albums ever. This album has some great songs and chuck d always brings great bars. I think the thing that keeps this album down is some of the lackluster beats and some of the songs aren’t as catchy. Still solid. 7.3/10
Good but old
Not as good as the debut but still vital and fascinating
I admit I’m probably not the intended audience, and I can see how it was important in context, but I don’t think I’ll want to listen to this one again
Eine Mischung aus vielem und auch ein bestimmt sehr solides und für die Zeit auch wichtiges Hip Hop-Projekt, aber es macht mir einfach nicht wirklich viel. Solche Alben sind eben textlich auch sehr aus der Zeit heraus. Positiv sehe ich die Produktion, die ziemlich frisch ist für über 30 Jahre alt. 6/10
Besser als die letzten paar auf der Liste, paar coole Beats aber halt auch echt schlecht gealtert irgendwie, da gibts schon geileren scheiss aus der Zeit 🤔
Viel Killer, viel Filler.
Solide aber hab mich textlich nicht drauf einlassen können. Der Anthrax Song hat mich richtig geflasht irgendwie auch wenn raprock oft cringe ist.
Kann zum Inhaltlichen wenig sagen, weil ichs gestern echt nicht mehr aufmerksam gehört habe. Man muss auf jeden Fall positiv hervorheben, dass dieses Album im gleichen Jahr wie Cypress Hill Self-Titled released wurde, aber dem Album einfach um Längen vorraus ist. Die Instrumentals abwechslungsreich und einfach gut zusammengebaut, sie rumpeln unaufhaltsam vor sich hin — wie ein Elefant in der Abstellkammer von einem Musikgeschäft.
Flavor FLAV!!! This album has a swag and level of menace that may be overlooked, but it really shouldn't be. Aside from the OG Hype Man spitting some great bars, this album has a lot to say on the state of the urban community at this point in time.
Powerful as ever.
Very political and cool album but no individual song standouts for me
2/10/21 Very politically charged. Less cohesive as an entire album. I appreciate it but don’t love the hip hop genre as a whole. The N word song really threw me for a loop at first! Favorite: Shut Em Down
It's a solid album, Public Enemy couldn't miss in these days, but definitely the weakest of their early albums.
Was good 90s hip hop, liked the anthrax track
3,5! Really good one, interesting dirty vibe, really interesting collab of the thrash metal and 90's hip hop in the last song with the Anthrax; good east coast shit
Average early 90s rap
As rap goes, this is a cut above. Not my thing, but I can see how it probably shook things up a bit at the time.
You can't can't pigeon hole this as hip hop. PE sound like nothing else that has gone before. It's pure noise with a ferocious rhythm holding it all together. And that's before you even pay attention to the militant lyrics that are decades ahead of their time. Thirty years old. Blimey.
Très bon By the time I get to Arizona Shut em down I don't wanna called Yo Nigga
I don't listen to a great deal of old school hip hop, it's basically NWA I listen to. This is fine though, I've head some Public Enemy before, and definitely Bring Da Noise, due to being a metal head. You could argue that song was the precursor of Nu Metal. I might give this another spin in the future.
Still bringing the energy on this.
RAP fundamental que chegou até no rock.
Quite a bit of funky and strong energy here, especially in the first handful of tracks. A bit frenetic and noisy for my personal taste, but some solid rhythms in the delivery of the lyrics kept my attention on some of the songs. Got a little repetitive sound-wise for me, though.
I enjoyed. Classic.
Not for me, but still some good music
UN CLASICO DE LA INFANCIA
Solid but no standouts
Pretty classic Public Enemy Noteworthy track: How To Kill A Radio Consultant (only becuase it samples Run DMC's Beats to the Rhyme)
Great album classic
This album was pretty intense - as expected. It's not bad though.
Pretty good. Very busy, but overall enjoyable.
Surprised Fear of a Black Planet wasn’t in the list instead of this album. But this is good none the less
*insert di si bio 91 joke here*
Fav Songs: - By The Time I Get To Arizona
Another notable album from a very influential band, paved the way for so much great music in the coming years such as RATM and more rock oriented hip-hop etc
Got the feeling from listening to this (then reading about it) that this is a good rather than a great Public Enemy album. The very 90s production is a bit relentless - makes it hard to pick any standouts after the first couple of listens. Also, some of Chuck D's verses seem to go on for about 3 minutes... which is impressive, but again, a lot to take in in one day.
It was pretty good but didn't grab me in the same way a lot of 90s hip hop does. Their Spotify description makes it sound as though the 80s albums are the real records to get into so I'll give them a go at some point. Also, that clock is far too big to be worn as a necklace. What is he thinking?!
90'er hop
Bring Tha Noize!
Our second from Public Enemy. Solid, but lacks the spark that made me love Fear of a Black Planet. I think the production overall was less interesting. I was also trying to listen while dealing with some work stuff and the combination made this a bit stressful; not a good energy match today. But there's certainly value here, and I love that the Anthrax version of Bring the Noise appears on this album. I suspect once we get their debut (which is also on the list), this one will seem like a fairly unnecessary inclusion. All due respect to PE, but do we need three albums from them, when there are less than 5 post-2010 hip hop albums on this list? Favorite tracks: I Don't Wanna Be Called..., Shut Em Down, Bring the Noise. Album art: Pretty cool. Again, the bold stencil font is part tough and part funny. The picture is really cool though, especially what appears to be a cyborg Flav. Busy in a good way, but not as enjoyable for me as Fear of a Black Planet. 3.5/5
influential
240921 16:45 3.5
Lepposa levy ja helppo kuunnella. Toni Haukasta tuttu klassikko kruunasi kokonaisuuden.
Hyvä ja tasanen kokonaisuus
It hasn't held up that great over the years.
Me eh…
6/10, there were some solid bars but it was often grating and I don’t think it has held up to time very well
PE albums are so long! But I did enjoy this one
Besser wird es in der hiphop Ecke nicht
Sure. Fine. Another album from Public Enemy. I don't think I've heard any of the songs before. It was okay. I probably should have given their previous album 3 stars too.
Embarrassed to say, but (mostly) new to me. The first half alone is a 5, but the 2nd half just brings it down with inconsistency. Deserves to be on the list.
- Unambitious rhyme schemes with some standouts (By the time I get to Arizona) - Interesting samples, nailing it occasionally (Can't Truss It) - Dated but stands up but is no Enter The Wu Tang - Strong variety of paces and beats
Old school hip-hop från några av de absolut största! Alltid välkomponerade beats, alltid politiska och flytande rapverser från Chuck D. Första spåret, Lost at Birth, tar dig med storm om du inte är beredd, med sin experimentella produktion och sampling. By The Time I Get To Arizona är en replik från Chuck D på hur Arizona röstade nej till att införa Martin Luther King's day som en helgdag, och har ett helt fantastiskt och unikt beat. Shut 'Em Down en höjdpunkt, har tydligen blivit mer av en hit efter Pete Rocks remix, men även originalversionen är bra. Bring The Noise är en klassisk Public Enemy-låt från 1987. En cover/samarbete gjordes av metalbandet Anthrax(!) och det är den versionen som avslutar detta album, som Bring Tha Noize. Föredrar originalversionen, men Anthraxversionen är en föregångare till många senare metal/hip-hop mashups. Chuck D:s andra vers är magisk. Sammantaget ett bra album, varje låt behandlar ett nytt viktigt sociopolitiskt ämne, mest om svartas kamp i USA. Flavor Flav är en hype-man som man själv önskar man hade med sig i vardagen. Låtarna som han själv rappar på blir inte lika bra, men det är också svårt att jämföras mot Chuck D. Bästa låt: By The Time I Get To Arizona
3/5 it was alright. They were the first band I ever saw. The album was not worthy as a four as nothing stood out to me.
A good solid hip-hop album. Very representative of the time and still very relevant today.
really fun to listen to, not their best album but still loved it.
It’s probably because I grew up in the era of Flavor Flav on VH1 but his voice annoys me so much! I still enjoyed this but it would have been so much better without him.
This shit goes hard as FUCK.
Clocks for necklaces was nearly as big as the jumpers for goalposts movement. People often mistook me for a gangbanger thanks to the claw shape I made when I waved at them. I was a pretty good crip so I was told.
Great 90s hip hop
In conclusione: dalla prima traccia pensavo sarebbe stata dura, invece poi sono entrato un po' nel sound ed è stato sorprendentemente piacevole. Ho apprezzato abbastanza i beat pure se super anni 90 ma ho apprezzato più di tutti i testi che finalmente parlano di questioni socio politiche come mi aspettavo piuttosto, che quanto ce l'hai più grosso di tutti (sì devo fare un'invettiva a notorious big a disco). In alcuni pezzi ho trovato idee interessanti, come il fatto che il governo usi l'alcool e la droga per soggiogare la popolazione povera o la critica al New York Post. Ho letto su Wikipedia di varie controversie tra cui un membro in particolare accanito con l'omofobia e l'antisemitismo e qualche uscita infelice col video di by the time I get to Arizona ma in ogni caso secondo me almeno sto rap/hip hop c'ha senso.
A solid rap album with some great lyrics, although lacking a solid hook on some songs. 7.8/10
good sound, lyrics were a bit crude.
"The future holds nothing but confrontation" Oh how right they were 😆 Powerful vocal delivery, great beat production. But nothing catchy, all I can tell is that these are some dudes who are either pissed off or have a lot of energy for their music. I Don't Wanna Be Called definitely would not go out of place on an NWA record. The instrumentals are good, but the flow of the lyrics always bring the music down. All of the songs sound so similar to one another. The only variation comes from their heavy carrying singles and rare beat switches and skits. I'd give this 3 stars.
I enjoyed the topics and the social/political commentary on it but wouldn't return to it for the music.
2nd time in two days? Give us a break. I'm just going to assume it was similar to the other one. Fine, I'll listen to a bit.... ... It's similar to the other one. Fun fact: Robert Plant's favourites from this are Rebirth and Lost at Birth.
Sorry to disappoint Mystic Meg's shite cousin Quaylo but this one's only getting a 3. To me it feels a bit tired and phoned in musically in comparison to the first three albums. But note to the mystic meff, Fear Of A Black Planet will join It Takes A Nation... on a 5 when it comes up.
pretty old and slightly grating, yet strangely timeless. Appreciate the political commentary and aggressiveness. flows are generally aiite
Samen met mijn broer op zijn 'stereo-set' veel gedraaid! Cool, maar inmiddels toch wat minder krachtig.
Lekkere 'flow' en 'energy', boyyyyyyyy!
This album is pretty sweet for what it is - but Fear of a Black Planet is better.
Ich sag mal wie‘s läuft: „It Takes A Nation ..“ bekommt 4, „Fear of A Black Planet“ 5, und die hier 3. Weil: hier wird das Erfolgsrezept der anderen beiden nochmal aufgewärmt - seht viel mehr auch nicht. Ok, Chuck D rappt jetzt smoother, aber der Bomb Squad Sound war auch schon dichter, und insgesamt wird sehr viel sich selbst zitiert. (Not so) Fun Fact: konnten sie kaum für; man hatte die Nutzungsrechte für fremde Samples deutlich komplizierter/teurer gemacht - gut, nimmt man halt die eigenen. Leider aber eben zulasten der fetten Fülle, die mein 15jähriges ich so geliebt hatte (und bis heute liebt), auch mehr als Anthrax-Kollabos. Naja, trotzdem: 3. Und Grüße gehen raus an Clawfinger!
Did not expect Anthrax
Better than I expected
Pretty solid, Bring the Noise is a great little time capsule to the beginning of rap/rock.
It’s no Fear Of A Black Planet, but still a great album by PE.
Hard hitting production and Chuck D's socially relevant writing is kind of compromised by FLAVA FLAVS direct references to his own personal wife beating and (almost extreme) homophobic undertakings outlined in A Letter to The New York Post. Seems like this is FLAVA FLAV'S only real contribution to the record which totally decimates any sincere attempts at addressing broader social issues. I thought Chuck D's delivery was 5/5 though, there are a couple of songs where you can really prominently here is breathing techniques which was interesting. I'm conflicted on my rating, FLAVA FLAV deserves a 1/5 but Chuck deserves a 5 so I'm landing on 3.
Yo
Chuck d is a legend. Good album but not there best. 3.5 stars
Conflicted with this one. One one hand, I love the sound of this era of hip hop. Always have, even the weird rap/rock Anthrax mashup at the end. Politically charged, lots of lyrics about race relations. On the other hand, some of the lyrics are terribly homophobic and anti-Semitic. Flavor Flav also sounds like a total asshole (convicted of beating his partner, and then complains about the New York Post writing about the story).
This might actually be my favorite Public Enemy album? It's still super overwhelming and some of the lyrics haven't aged super well but I can dig it.
+
Strong message, not a fan of the style
I thought I’d need to be in the mood but I enjoyed it anyway
It's a Flava Flav heavy album, which makes it lesser Public Enemy for me. Best track: By the Time I Get to Arizona
Interesting
Valoro el aporte, pero no me gustó tanto. un 3 que en realidad es un 2 1/2
Some real solid tracks.
I still struggle with a lot of 80s hip-hop, as much of it feels quite dated to my ears now, but Public Enemy have always been one of the exceptions. This is now the third of their albums I’ve reviewed during this challenge, and I gave the previous two a very respectable 4/5, so I went into Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black with fairly high expectations. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the same heights for me. The beats are still strong and there’s plenty of energy throughout, but they become repetitive after a while and the album lacks some of the freshness and urgency I found in their earlier work. The lyrics also felt more dated than on the previous albums, and some of the themes and references don't land in quite the same way today. That said, it’s still an easy enough listen and there are moments where you’re reminded why Public Enemy were so influential and important. Even when the material isn’t at its strongest, there’s an intensity and confidence to their music that keeps it engaging. Overall, this is definitely the weakest of the three Public Enemy albums I’ve heard so far, but it’s still a perfectly enjoyable listen. Favourite track: “Bring the Noise” is an entertaining track and the clear standout for me Least favourite track: “Lost at Birth” isn’t the strongest opener and I found myself waiting for it to end Album artwork: Standard hip-hop album cover
#993. Flavor Flav is fine in small doses, but 51 minutes is just too much, man. 2/5: meh
Bring The Noize
Thank god I was alone listening to this one. The only thing that stood out was the over use of the N word. There is far better rap albums from that era.
Bring tj Boise last track w Anthrax was the only hit …super dated lyrics
I'm just not really feeling it. Interesting concept for an album, but I just don't like old school hiphop I guess. 2/5
It was ok. It was apparently influential but I couldn’t fully appreciate how repetitive it could get at times
3 albums of theirs and still the Anthrax song is the best they can offer!
I feel like if this was earlier in the list I probably would of enjoyed it but I feel like I listen to a lot better albums than this
It was good.
Old school rap not my style
I'm not going to give it a one, purely because it implies I understand the genre on a level I don't... but dear God this feels in this day and age like a form of populist bull that hasn't got much original or defining going for it.
Poor lyrics
public enemy just isn’t my jam.
3 albums of perpetual victimhood on this godforsaken list. Thankfully, this is the last one I need to listen to -- they finally ran out of keyboard presets to spit over!
Blir som vanligt tröttsamt i längden.
sredniaczek jak dlamnie
2,5
It gets points for being one of the first great hiphop albums, great lyricism and solid theming, so i’ll rate it (somewhat) fairly because i can see why hiphop fans would adore this, but its just not my genre so i don’t love it.
Not my thing.
Not their best and kinda long
Something is keeping me from really getting full-on into Public Enemy, and to be honest, I'm not sure what it is. I like their message and the lyrics. I like the beats and how they don't relent (maybe that's part of it? Maybe I need a little bit of dynamics?). I like Chuck D's flow, Flava Flav's a little less but I'm still okay with it. Maybe it's just too much, too big all of the time. Of course, what with their mission and the evergreen garbage condition of the United States, I really can't blame them for being so upfront and demanding attention.
Ultimately I didn't like this - I think it's due to Flavor Flav - I mean how many times does he have to repeat his name on a song! Sheesh.... Get rid of him and the album would get at least one star back.
One of the more listenable offerings from this genre but like most of these albums high on the mutha fuckers and nigga count. Really not my cup of tes
It's good but I'm not a massive Public Enemy fan, says the white dude. I'm not much of a hardcore rap guy and would turn to something like A Tribe Called Quest during this time.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the other public enemy album on here but it’s ok
repniški repnige nanovo repniški repniguju, a pritom ne bi da ih se tako naziva (5. pjesma). eh
This was really dated, and not in a fun way
Not sure what it is, just never could enjoy these guys. Something to do with the track and artists volume level maybe. Also the main rapper sounds almost yelling like.
It is a good hip-hop album, very politically charged and with some iconic moments. However, I do still prefer their two other albums in here. 7/10 [DROP]
I liked it takes a Nation of Millions better. This one started strong and got meh as it went on.
It was fine, no stand out songs
I don't really know what to think of it. I know that it's probably one of the pioneers of hip hop but idk. It has a lot of strongs topics in it but only from the music it wasn't that great for me
I can see it is probably important but it isn’t my thing. Not sure it has aged well either.
Should be ok. But not in the mood for hip hop today unfortunately. Nothing too special stands out. Beats feel repetitive with almost identical bpm throughout the entire album. And it’s looping like there is no tomorrow.
Look at the album cover... whatever you expect this to sound like is exactly what it sounds like... Just 90s rap, not the worst thing ever, but not great. 2/5
Played it twice and was never able to carefully listen to it or extract anything that I'd like to listen in the future. 2.5
Once again, Public Enemy demonstrates that sounding rebellious does not mean it sounds good. Sometimes musical molds are good to break away from. Other times, when the melody is ignored in favour of complaining about how much your life sucks while swimming in cash from your previous album releases, I think you should stick to convention. This kind of 90s hip-hop sound is very dated and I'm convinced the 5-star ratings are primarily nostalgia based rather than how good the music sounds. Apocalypse 91 is even worse than It Takes a Nation of Millions and Fear of a Black Planet, because there's a lack of radio friendly tracks. Instead, the listener experiences 51 minutes of noise and near identical beats with a few moments of fresh air to remind the listener that this group is capable of making good music. They just don't want to. I wish Public Enemy would experiment more with a rock sound, maybe add some interesting melodies to replace the agonising loops. Because, despite their obvious influence in the 90s, they've got very little going for them. Public Enemy just does nothing for me. Did I need to hear this before I die? No, but apparently some did.
How To Kill A Radio Consultant and Bring Tha Noise were catchy, but the rest didn't land for me. I prefer Public Image, but only marginally. Lead chap has solid voice, can hear the groundwork for later groups, just not my cup of tea.
I’ve never enjoyed this group
Kind of a downgrade after great of a black planet. Still pretty sick production. Steve keeps calling me and singing track 5 which makes me uncomfortable.
To me just more average Rap. 2 stars or D+.
I am becoming increasingly cynical about hip-hop, which is too bad because there's some good stuff in there. But I need to be honest with myself and admit that my least favorite part about rap songs is almost always the rapping itself. Here we have one that is not even the biggest offender, but how many albums like this one do we really need? It sounds pretty much like the other two Public Enemy records on the list, but not as good. Key tracks: Lost at Birth
Not my thing. Not why I listen to music. I get why it works for others.
Again, not for me
Didn't love it.
un po’ troppo rumoroso
качает, но я не особо любитель такого репа.
Kinda too much
Not something I ever want to listen to again.
Good beats fucked away by all which surrounds.
I'm sure it was good for it's time, just doesn't quite hold up for me
just cant get into d or flav’s voices man…
Listening to this album, I realized what I like about songs. It's the development of a song in a certain direction. In some case to any direction. This genre doesn't really offer that at all. Despite this, the first part of the album was a good feeling until boredom hit.
After wading through a truly heroic amount of BS earlier on the list, this was… refreshing. I like hip hop, but Public Enemy has never really worked for me. The genuinely great songs are rare, buried under a very loud, aggressively ’90s sound that just doesn’t do me any favors.
I wanted to like this. I get that it was influential and that Flavor Flav is iconic, but this has got to be the most irritating collection of beats I’ve heard on a hip hop record. The first track was almost unbearable, but nearly every song had some element that made me irrationally angry. It was like attending a bbq with your spouse’s coworkers, where it’s absolutely swarmed with mosquitos. Like, I know these people are important for you, but I’m getting eaten alive here!
I'm sure this album was pivotal at its time. Love the mix of samples and the messages in the songs. The collab with Anthrax was a surprise.
Didn't enjoy it.
Pretty fun album. Very classic, but not my thing. 4.2/10
Not a favourite for me 2-3
Flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaav
This brings the noize. I can get with the bringing aspect of it, however, I am not so happy about the actual noise. 2.5/5
I just don't like East Coast hip hop. Nothing against it as an art form. It's definitely made a huge impact on American music, but it doesn't do anything for me personally.
Actually some of the lyrics on here aren't that bad. Ok so there’s a lot of whining, but I think that generally comes with the hiphop territory. ‘Letter to the New York Post’ was a particularly memorable whine. But where this let me down was the sonics. With a lot of hiphop I hate the lyrics but can dig the beats; the lyrics on here were ok, but the music was just monotonously repetitive. Pity.
Hard charging rap. Strong message. Not the best ear candy.
Maybe I had too high of expectations but this was a let down. Felt too all over the place and didn’t feel cohesive.
This is my second Public Enemy album, and to be honest, although the beats are awesome, it is easily to get annoyed with the sirens sometimes. I understand it should be their big album but...not for me 2/5
This album did not age well.
too grating on my ears, but there's something about it
I didn't like this album as much as the previous Public Enemy that was rated / reviewed. I feel like the production feels a bit more rushed. There was so much repetition thought each track and not enough variability from track to track. I still find Public Enemy super "effective" in making strong social commentary but this album was a little to "on the nose" for me. Also, the Anthrax feature at the end of the album feels a bit scripted, more like an MTV moment than an authentic musical collaboration.
Was better than I thought it was going to be. Everytime I’ve heard a public enemy song, I’ve felt that it was the kind of hip hop that translates well to the mainstream audiences, although it’s clear you cannot say that about the majority of tracks within this album. But there are a few within. There’s also a few I never want to hear again. Seen people mention the social commentary within, but it’s quite hard to gauge when it’s wrapped up in swearing and words the majority of the population cannot say themselves. Middle of the road for me
Not my style
Started out strong but really wore out its welcome by the end. Toward the high end of 90s era rap for me - closer to 2.5 than 2.
This was a bit of a mixed bag, with some decent tracks and some with quite obnoxious samples. 'I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Niga' was a quite groovy track, and 'By The Time I Get To Arizone' had a real phat distorted bass or guitar that was cool. 'Lost At Birth' was annoying though, and I didn't like 'Bring Tha Noize' which was more of a hardrock track, completely going outside of the boundaries of the album. Overall I'm not exactly why, but I didn't enjoy it that much when listening to it. Definitely feels like an album that could fit me, but maybe it's one of those that you need to get into more to appreciate. For now a strong 2.
ChatGPE. I was there for this. After banging out three of the best rap albums of all time, I think the PE-o-sphere got disillusioned with the success, which inevitably involved their fan base shifting to white suburban kids like me, and they phoned in this album before evolving into their next phase. I don’t remember albums of theirs after this, which there clearly was, which was probably the way Chuck wanted it. Love PE, but this is not their best work.
Pas mon style mais des morceaux sympas
I love 90's hip hop. I do not love Public Enemy. Sorry not sorry.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 🪖😎🤢 Production: 👊🐢👍 Music: 🚨📣✊🏿 Rating: 💥💥(💥)/5
Highlight: Nighttrain, Can’t Truss It. In a nutshell: fight the power It didn't do anything for me compared to "It Takes A Nation of Millions..." but it maintains the quality one would expect from Public Enemy- some good loops, scathing political commentary, etc. Overall: 3/10
I found it a bit long and possibly needed more variety, I want to give a three because I have lots of affection for Public Enemy but I'm going for a two. I think they've done much better records and can hit harder.
I have heard Public Enemy but was not previously familiar with this album. This is not something I would normally listen to, and I did not really get any sort of feeling listening to it. Would not listen again.
Wasn't feeling it.
⏱️
Strong but not for me.
I like a lot of Public Enemy though strangely I did not like this album.
i appreciate public enemy, but man listening to a whole album is very abrasive and fatiguing. i’ll stick to the hits probably.
A little way too repetitive beats, grated on me
Not the worst.
Not sure how Flavor Flav had a career after this, but Chuck D's flow is fabulous. I Don't Wanna Be Yo Niga is probably the worst song ever written and recorded, even though I completely understand what they were attempting to do.
2 out of 5. I liked this one more than their "Nation" album.
I definitely need to revisited ITANOMTHUB sometime soon There are a few good bops on this thing, but it doesn't work great altogether. There's also a few songs I think are just kind of mediocre which sucks because the vocals are awesome sauce :( Still a solid album all around though. Favs: Lost at Birth, Can't Truss It, 1 Million Bottlebags Least fav: More News at 11
It's the standard for the hip hop albums on this list - way too long for no good reason. -1 star for the Anthrax collab.
Album 730 of 1001 Public Enemy - Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black (1991) Rating : 2 / 5 Blah Blah Blah. Better than many but not my thing. Extra point because Flavor Flav is sometimes a hoot.
90-tals hip hop
Maso
Each album by Public Enemy provided by the list has gotten better consecutively (and by date). This 3rd list installment presents the further refinement of the group, better production/mixing and lyrical content although with the same topics of political injustice, social unrest, crooked cops, and drug problems the black community faces. Flava still pretty lame but slightly more tolerable. I hope we are done with PE but I'm afraid we will be getting their debut. The enemy strikes back on this album with 2 stars.
I've enjoyed the prior Public Enemy albums to decent reviews. Something about this one didn't stick. With 3 entries on the list already perhaps they have overstayed their welcome for me. While it felt mostly like another hour of similar Public Enemy fare, something about this one felt a little more watered down. The production felt like generic beats surrounded by an annoying noises to take you out of it. While Flava carries another aspect of annoyance I still find his Public Enemy hype man additions somewhat endearing for some reason. Either way, this was the weakest of the Public Enemy albums I've heard so far and I'm getting ready to close the book on them for the most part. 2.04 stars
It's cool and political but feels dated.
2/5
uncs cant make bounce
Ahead of its time. Didnt love it.
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.
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.
Not my thing really, feel bad about the score but It’s just not!
An okay album, not really my style.