Review Summary: Viva la revolution
As a figurehead for political hip hop, Immortal Technique has put a gargantuan amount of effort into imbuing all of his releases with an integrity that reflects the mindset and views of the outspoken critic he is at heart. Perhaps somewhat unfairly, Tech became best known for his political standing and his devastating ode to a gangster's remorse, 'Dance With The Devil'. As powerful and important as the track is, however, it is not the best representation of the artist's body of work. Although it does point to inner city issues and is a superb example of the rapper's ability at classically-constructed rhymes and storytelling ability, it is also transgressive and engineered to shock in a somewhat cheap way, particularly when compared to his usual output which dives into real, topical issues to create the same, if not a surpassing, level of disquiet. Yet here the track sits, nestled in amongst a collection of hardboiled and reverent hip hop vignettes that tackle a spectrum of issues in caustic and spectacular fashion. Despite this, the album is served tremendously well by the infamous cut, which accentuates the explored ideas here in unexpected ways- but more on that later. Although Vol. 2 of the Revolutionary duology is possibly a more accessible and generally more traditionally 'enjoyable' classic hip hop experience, Vol. 1 displays a grimy, unpleasant base level to a lot of the concerns explored on its sister piece; a verbose and troubling exercise in hip hop that urgently demands engagement, even as it grinds you under its boot heel.
Opener 'Creation and Destruction' is a wonderfully controlled traditionalist piece of hip hop, from the booming rhythm to intricate yet still classic lyricism. Political metaphor is woven about the construct, even when Tech is bragging about his own prowess ("I cause more casualties that sunken slave ships..."), in addition to mention of various political figures and ideologies. The track serves as a mission statement of sorts for what lies ahead, in style and expectancy, if not purely thematically. A large number of these themes carry over to the following tracks, and although some of the content lacks focus as an entire piece, they are linked throughout by intrinsic callbacks and relevant topics. 'Positive Balance' is a hauntingly effective moment, with a restrained delivery and an eerie chiming motif utilised amidst the typical beat. It is also one of the album's most thoughtful ventures; a lament on wasted life/ youth/ existence, particularly in relation to religion, disillusionment, industry and education ("I give a fiend a good book, instead of the crack..."). Revolutionary also features a smattering of interludes that see Tech flirting with spoken word delivery, such as 'Poverty Of Philosophy' and 'Beef & Broccoli'. They are diatribes at their core but provide further insight into the artist's views, and lend the album some extra variety throughout. 'Poverty Of Philosophy' has a catchy hook and is home to a resonant proclamation that ideology alone is simply not enough- and this complements the outspoken nature of the release very well.
Adding more fuel to the fiery rhetoric are tracks such as 'Revolutionary', 'Top Of The Food Chain' and 'No Mercy'- the latter undoubtedly an album standout. Opening with an excerpt from Malcolm X, the piece is strikingly minimalistic and yet also one of the album's heaviest excursions, with throbbing bass and a contorting flow from Tech. The lyrics are saturated top to bottom with allusions to politics, education, abortion, spirituality and cautionary references to drug abuse. It is superbly menacing and wonderfully aggressive in a carefully orchestrated manner. Therefore, it is curious an album so loaded with political barbs and cynicism should be home to such a track as 'Dance With The Devil'. It certainly equals the content for bile and sheer vitriol, but seems to lack nuance and serves as a storytime piece for the rest of the album's heady discourse. Nonetheless, Revolutionary Vol. 1 feels appropriately served by the track- almost an example or analogy for the analytical content that surrounds it. In situating the song in the album's later stages, the effect feels almost educational; a confrontational and bitter segue that emphasis and even distils a lot of the key points brought out by the main body of the album. It is a twisted parable to serve the keynote speaker's symposium; inelegant, ugly, yet conscious of the weight of its ideas. Although it may seem a slight non-sequitar from the piece overall, it is a river to the album's ocean; fed by the same violent waves and its almost cataclysmic tidal force.
There has been a good amount of discussion relating to Immortal Technique's political standpoint, and with good reason considering it is the prime directive of his artistic content. There is certainly an argument to be made regarding bias and criticism of his own views, but purely as an exercise in underground hip hop, the first volume of Revolutionary is incendiary and uncompromisingly intelligent . It burns clear with a vibrant and angry passion that Tech has yet to match, the clarity of his vision almost flawlessly transferred across to the medium of beats and rhymes. There are occasional dry spells peppered throughout, mostly in relation to slightly longer-than-necessary track lengths, and sometimes the content is a little tactless and wants for taste, but these moments are fleeting and the overall experience is tremendously engaging, fierce and carried with the sharpness that Tech has become known for. As an origin story as well as a bona fide classic of underground hip hop, Revolutionary Vol. 1 deserves to be heard by everyone with even a passing enthusiasm for the genre.
