Immortal Technique Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Fans of the Peruvian-born rapper have waited five long years for the third installment in Immortal Technique's iconic Revolutionary series, and by the sound of mixtape-cum-LP The 3rd World, the wait may yet go on. Though marketed as the New York MC's third solo full-length, The 3rd World is more or less a straight collaboration with longtime DJ Green Lantern, who handles most of the production and mixing on the album. Lyrically and vocally, it's more fiery and intense than his previous work -- no mean feat as his fans will attest -- directing ire at his favorite enemies: politicians, capitalism, and big business. Beginning with the post-apocalyptic opener "Death March," Technique draws parallels between the developing world and the poverty-ridden underclass in America, pointing out the irony in U.S. foreign policy effectively forcing families like his to migrate to America: "Invasion, a ramp of monetary inflation/That brought us all to the footsteps of this nation." He cleverly paraphrases Bill Clinton on the title track, noting, "they might even have a black president/But he's useless/Because he doesn't control the economy, stupid!" Yet, at 69 minutes in length, Technique's shtick wears increasingly thin as the album progresses and the frenetic pace with which he delivers his rhymes becomes tiresome, negating much of the emotional weight behind his deeply felt rhymes. By no means a bad record, fans will expect a more well-rounded affair when the third chapter in the Revolutionary story finally drops. ~ Dave Donnelly, All Music Guide
'Revolutionary, Vol. 2'
Release Date 1/1/2003
Tracks 18
Label Viper Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Revolutionary, Vol. 1'
Release Date 1/1/2001
Tracks 16
Label Viper Records
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Originally self-released in 2002 in an edition of only 3,000 copies, the plain-spoken politics (the title of this album is not to be taken lightly) and bare-bones production of Revolutionary, Vol. 1 missed MTV and Rap City entirely, surprise surprise. However, the album built enough underground buzz, helped by the more widely distributed Revolutionary, Vol. 2 the following year, that it was reissued in 2004, sounding as up-to-date as ever. Immortal Technique works the same political side of the street as Dead Prez and the Coup, but much like Chuck D, the godfather of the political rap scene, the Peruvian-born rapper never lets his ideas get in the way of his flow, and manages to express complex and reasoned opinions, only occasionally devolving into simple sloganeering. Those who found the beats on Revolutionary, Vol. 2 too skeletal for their likes, however, will likely find its predecessor even tougher sledding; however, the homemade-sounding production is perfectly suitable for the noncorporate sentiments of Immortal Technique's lyrics, and has a similar rough-edged charm. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
