Public Enemy

Fifteen years after their classic debut, Public Enemy return with their seventh LP, building on their legacy while delivering the fiery lyricism and blistering beats that have become their trademark. Revolverlution features all of the original members, and combines new tracks, remixed hits, and live performances.

It was no coincidence that Chuck D and comrades started falling off when Democrats took
the White House. But with the Middle East at war, the economy in turmoil and another Bush
in the driver's seat, America once again needs its Public Enemy. For "Son of a Bush," a
Professor Griff-produced slow jam between grinding metal guitars and what sounds like a
car alarm, Chuck spews pissed-off puns, ill alliteration and wrathful rhymes such... More >

Chuck D has always thought fresh beats were for pussies--keeping up with the times is a job for communications technology. So the four remixes were organized over the Internet by hardcore PE fans, who like semipop audiences everywhere accentuate what's most extreme and inaccessible about their faves, and never mind the Bomb Squad's r&b shake-and-bake on He Got Game. Fortunately, the old sound is hard in new ways, from the slow-and-snaky synth DJ Functionalist lays below "Shut Em Down" to "What Good Is a Bomb" raging against the machine. With the preacherly rotundity aged out of Chuck D's larynx and live drums just making "Put It Up" leaner, PE's music has never been so unforgiving. With a son-of-a-Bush leading us to perdition, what's to forgive? You know times are desperate when Griff starts making sense. (Grade - A-)