Bring the Noise 2000, Vol. 1 - Public Enemy

After spending nearly four years in semi-retirement, Public Enemy planned 1998 as the year they would come back strong, but to some fans, it was a little disconcerting that the first record they released was a mega-mix album entitled Bring the Noise 2000, Vol. 1. Boasting hits, album tracks, B-sides, Terminator X solo cuts and previously unreleased tracks, the disc runs through 27 truncated tracks in a fury. Fortunately, the mixes are inventive and invigorating -- anything less would be sacrilege to the Bomb Squad, the most creative production team in hip-hop history. Even so, Bring the Noise 2000 isn't for every Public Enemy fan -- its sonic deluge will primarily be of interest to fans who are into the claustrophobic sampling and scratching of their best records, not the raging rhymes of Chuck D, which are considerably downplayed here. And while it isn't a triumphant comeback, it's strong enough to set the stage for the He Got Game and Resurrection albums, which appeared a month later. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide