Review Summary: Good "show" very good show indeed.
Critical Responses:
Allmusic: 4.5/5
Robert Christagu: B+
NME: 9/10
Q: 4/5
Rolling Stone: 4.5/5
Virgin Encyclopedia: 4/5
This is the album, that started Public Enemy. Now, many people may think, that their phenomenal masterpiece of an album, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back", is their first album, but they are wrong, because THIS is their first album.
Now if you HAVE heard "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" (you aren't a hip hop fan if you haven't), and you haven't heard this, then you will be confused, because this sounds NOTHING like their 2nd album. You could tell, that they had low quality sound equipment, but the music is phenomenal.
At the time (1987), the likes of Run-D.M.C, and other pioneers were around, and when Public Enemy came, it was different, it was political. Now for the track by track review.
1. You're Gonna Get Yours: This song starts with a quick intro, and then Chuck D's awesome vocals kick in. Great intro. Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "Egg Man" by Beastie Boys, and other songs. 5/5
2. Sophisticated Bitch: Classic song, with Chuck D rhyming about what you think it would be about with a title like this. 5/5
3. Miuzi Weighs a Ton: Chuck D rhyming about how he doesn't use guns. Classic. This song samples, "Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow, and other songs. This song has been sampled in, "Our Most Requested Record" by Ice-T, and plenty of other songs. 5/5
4. Timebomb: Chuck D using his phenomenal rhyme skills. Classic. This song has been sampled in, "Funky Piano" by EPMD, "The Vibes" by EPMD, and other songs. 5/5
5. Too Much Posse: More of Chuck D using his excellent rhyme skills. Classic. This song has been sampled in, "8 Ball" by N.W.A, and other songs. 5/5
6. Rightstarter (Message to a Black Man): Classic song. This song samples, "Here We Go" by Run-D.M.C, and other songs. This song has been sampled in the song, "Mind Over Matter" by Ice-T. 5/5
7. Public Enemy No.1: Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "So Wat Cha Sayin" by EPMD, "Funky Piano" by EPMD, "The Next Movement" by The Roots, "The One" by Kanye West, and other songs. 5/5
8. M.P.E.: Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "The Day the Niggaz Took Over" by Dr Dre, and other songs. 5/5
9. Yo! Bum Rush the Show: Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "Beats to the Rhyme" by Run-D.M.C, "The Big Payback" by EPMD, "Oodles of O's" by De La Soul, "Tell Me" by Pete Rock and CL Smooth, and other songs. 5/5
10. Raise the Roof: Classic song. 5/5
11. Megablast: Classic song. 5/5
12. Terminator X Speaks With His Hands: A Terminator X solo scratch track. This song has been sampled in, "8 Ball" by N.W.A, "Eazy-Duz-It" by Eazy-E, "Ole School ***" by Eazy-E, "Amplified" by Cypress Hill, and other songs.
Overall, I give this a perfect rating.
3 Best Songs:
1. Miuzi Weighs a Ton
2. Public Enemy No.1
3. Yo! Bum Rush the Show
3 Weakest Sons (Not including the Terminator X solo scratch song):
1. Too Much Posse
2. Megablast
3. Timebomb
