Even after 15 years a Public Enemy record still sounds like nothing else in hip-hop. A punch in the face from an arm stretching right back to the heyday of revolutionary producers the Bomb Squad, this is about as far away from commercial hip-hop's current Irv Gotti-induced slumber as imaginable. To celebrate this step halfway to the second decade, 'Revolverlution' offers not only new material but live tracks and remixes as well.
PE have always sounded dense, always kept the ears busier than an incessant funk loop. Album opener 'Gotta Give The Peeps What They Need' makes it clear from the outset that they've lost none of that urge to bring complexity to their chosen sport. This isn't confined to the mixing boards - Chuck D still rages with a righteous indignation that has anything but mellowed with age.
Typically coherent in both sonic innovation and political objectives, rather than simply rant about the institutional iniquities of major labels, PE again take the situation into their own hands. By posting acappella versions of classic tracks like 'By The Time I Get To Arizona' and 'Shut 'Em Down' on their website they've invited producers to remix and upload their versions. Some figure on this album with the producers credited and signed up for their share of the royalties. It's one thing to still sound revolutionary but to be this far ahead of the game in practical terms is a true credit to this act's continued relevance.
Confusingly, the album is effectively three things at the same time: a new PE record; a live album; and a daring step into unchartered collaborative production. And that's not to mention 'Revolverlution's least successful moments: Professor Griff's deeply dubious experiments in rap-rock with fret-bothering rockers, 7th Octave. Predictably, this doesn't all hang together quite as we'd like it to and it's a shame that this record isn't a more concise statement about the sound of Public Enemy right here and now.
Still, with 15 years of history under the belt, it seems there's always more to say, more to give. This album's triumph is to simultaneously place PE in their colossal historical lineage and reinstate their utter relevance. Hope hip-hop's watching, there's much to learn.
