Fear of a Black Planet finds the Bomb Squad at the height of their powers, assembling deeply intricate grooves out of infinitesimal building blocks.
Hip-hop has a habit of moving at such a pace that records date in a matter of years, but Fear Of A Black Planet is utterly timeless. Musically, it's funky, avant-garde, dense, and original (and it uses live instrumentation, as if that matters). Lyrically, it's inspired, intelligent, emotive, and angry as hell.
Fear of a Black Planet isn’t Public Enemy’s masterpiece. But it’s a formidable piece of work, and the one pop album released so far this year that no one interested in the current state of American culture can afford to ignore.
The group's determination and realism, its devotion to activism and booty shaking, make Fear of a Black Planet a welcome, bracing triumph.
#8 | / | Spin |