Customer Reviews

Revolutionary 1

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not since hip-hop pioneer Chuck D, has there been politically fueled lyrics displayed with such truth, consciousness, and vulgarity as the latest and greatest thing to hit the underground rap/hip-hop scene. Immortal Technique delivers his message so effectively, that you are forced to reckon with his thoughts. Regardless of whether you believe what he says, his lyrics contain a fundamental value of truth that most people should be aware of. After listening to the album, it is obvious that he is a very smart individual. He spews out opinions, sometimes brash and hard to swallow, but he always comes back with a solid platform to justify his anger and concern with the U.S. government, black and Latinos, self-righteous vegetarians, his ignorant peers, and the harsh reality of street life.

Aside from the mind blowing lyrical content, Immortal Technique throws together some killer beats. Several of the loops contain music from the classical genre, sampling many string instruments. The symphonic/hip-hop beats provide a suitable pallet for his densely constructed word flow. Despite it's low production costs, the beats and lyrics on "Revolutionary, Vol. 1" are nothing short of revolutionary.

The album flows together very well, never allowing room for filler. One of the most riveting tracks on the album is "The Poverty of Philosophy". He doesn't actually "rap" here at all. It is more of a social commentary that he uses to expose lies of the U.S. government, third world countries, and his black and Latino heritage. The Peruvian-born rapper even states that he has more in common with working, middle class white people, than he does with rich black and Latino people. The 10 minute epic "Dance With the Devil" is the most disturbing track on the album, conveying true vulgarity of gang related subject matter. Immortal Technique tackles other issues on "Beef & Broccoli". He attacks self-righteous vegetarians that force their opinions of animal rights on others, in a humorous way.

In the age of MTV and the radio filling the air waves with re-hashed crap, especially where rap is concerned, underground hip-hop deserves our attention more then ever before. Artists like Immortal Technique are what keeps this genre alive, not groups like G-Unit and 50 Cent. We need more social consciousness in the political hip-hop world. If you like this CD, you will probably like "Revolutionary, Vol. 2" even more. There is a breathtaking step-up in the production value that listeners may enjoy more if the beats were to skeletal for their liking on "Vol. 1". I have no doubt that if you listen to the lyrics on this album, you too will find it revolutionary as well.

Again, as I say about Dead Prez. This is the roots of the traditional Hip-Hop as laid out by The Last Poets and Gil Scott Heron in 1970, and carried on by KRS, Public Enemy, amongst others.
Everything this guy says is VERy well thought out and well researched, perhaps the BEST of the new meat, and perhaps one of the best of all time!

I heard Revolutionary Vol. 2 first and was so impressed by that album that I had to hear what his debut was about. After listening to it for several months, I must say its a very good cd. The only reason that it is not as good as Vol. 2 is because there is some choppiness to it, where it just doesn't flow easily. This was probably because he wrote the entire album locked up with no music and he had to piece it together to make it fit. There are only a few instances where this is notable, but the rest is worth the price. Some of the songs are so good I just wanna throw it in right now while writing about it. If you've listened to and liked Revolutionary Vol. 2, than this is a MUST have, I'm not kidding.

I am not what you would call a hip-hop head. I do listen to and enjoy hip-hop periodically, but all the crap I hear on radio just makes me sick of the entire genre of music. I had little faith in this sort of music....until i heard this. My friend, who breathes hip-hop played this for me one day, and I'm thankful for it. The venom in his voice is downright sickening. He's rawer than raw and tells everything like it is. Not to mention an incredible storyteller. And, whether you agree or disagree with some of his views, you cannot deny that this man is true to himself at all times and sticks by his guns. I hope he continues at this level, as this is simply amazing. Check out Rev Vol 2 as well.

There are several reasons to listen to Immortal Technique: His rhymes are the best I've ever heard, his rhymes have a purpose, and he doesn't care what the big labels think.
This guy can rhyme and rhyme and rhyme. This is apparent in all of his songs; and he doesn't have to stretch for them like a lot of rappers do, they just come out and sound good, and at a good pace.
His lyrics are all meaningful, whether they are about the dangers of the drug industry, the uselessness and dangers of democracy and capitalism, or how the mainstream rap industry is corrupt and useless. I like this line, "what the f** happened to real rhyme sayers/these days everyone is trying to be a thug or a player/where did all the real motherf***ers go in the game/bring back the break-dances, agrofeed, and writers with fame"
I like the artwork on the cover, too. His beats could use some work, but this kink is worked out for the most part in Vol 2, and it just shows how he isn't dependant on the beat like many rappers.
The best rap I've ever heard.

Immortal Technique is one of the most eloquent, conscious, and intense MCs in the game. He may be Hip Hop's best pure lyricist, and is definitely one of its biggest critics. His revolutionary rhetoric hits close to home for too many people, so you'll never hear him on pop radio. If you aren't closed-minded or overly sensitive, you need to listen to this album. Hell, Tech wants to hurt your feelings if you are anyways, so I guess EVERYONE should listen to it.

Volume 2 certainly is Tech's best work to date, but his debut, Volume 1, is substantially solid. While there are quite a few gems here (peep "Positive Balance" and "Dance With the Devil"), the album's flow does suffer from a degree of choppiness. Some of these tracks feel misplaced and underproduced, which is understandable given the way Tech is said to have collected these tracks. Overall, however, this release is quite dope and will bump really well in your stereo. Make sure you don't sleep on Immortal Technique--the jump in quality from Volume 1 to Volume 2 is incredible, and he's only going to get better.

I'll admit that I heard of Immortal Technique through a certain reviewer(you know who you are! Thanks a million). Immortal Technique not only has an impressive flow but he also is a conscious lyricist. He has the sickest metaphors I've heard since Canibus and its evidenced in Creation & Destruction(the beat sounds like Biggie's Long Kiss Goodnight), Positive Balance(featuring Big Zoo), the Jean Grae produced Revolutionary etc. He flips it in Spanish and English on No Me Importa. Even though Poverty Of Philosophy is not a song, the truths he spoke on it make it a standout track. Dance With The Devil is vividly told story of a kid who tries to be accepted by an older crowd but the twist is shocking to say the least. The Illest with Jean Grae and Pumpkinhead is just that. As far as skip material goes.. I wasnt feeling Poison Pen's verses on Top Of The Food Chain(Remix) and Beef & Broccoli is just him venting about people who criticize other people's dietary habits. Bottom Line: Immortal Technique's Revolutionary Vol.1 is the best underground release of 2001. Immortal Technique not only has skills, he's giving you gems in the music. Something that commercial rap wont do. Plus the production was not bad. Also recommended: Revolutionary Vol.2. Standout Tracks: CREATIN & DESTRUCTION, DOMINANT SPECIES, POSITIVE BALANCE, NO ME IMPORTA, POVERTY OF PHILOSOPHY, REVOLUTIONARY(my favorite), DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, PROPHECY, NO MERCY, THE ILLEST and SPEAK YOUR MIND.

Immortal Technique is the best rapper I've heard in years. It's almost like Rage Against the Machine on hip hop beats. He is intelligent, entertaining, humorous, and meaningful at the same time. There isn't a single track on the CD that I don't absolutely love.
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Let me just start by saying (and by discrediting myself to all of you reading this) that I am not a fan of Rap, but of Hip Hop... usually I refrain from Rap because of its irreverant fascination of material crap (i like Punk and Rock). But Immortal Technique is definetly a display of Thought rather than of things. IT is mos def credible since he comes across as a man of his own and is not dictated by corporate overlords that hold a bling bling commercial lifestyle as the holy grail of lyrics. More than anything else, I love IT for his down right honest portrayal of The bush (lower case B) Administration and Fox News... That being said, if you've heard of him but not heard him, than you are missing out on one of the few last remaining lyricists that actually still retains sense of pride and dignity on saying what he thinks and feels... (...) So buy Immortal Technique, you're soul will be richer for it.