It's easy for some people to talk endlessly about 1988's It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back and forget how incredibly well Public Enemy followed up in 1990 with Fear Of A Black Planet.

At the time of the album's release, PE was already at the height of its notoriety, with controversy finding the band daily in papers and radio broadcasts all across America. Given the same circumstances, any other group might just as soon tone down its views and cash in with a few radio-friendly tracks.

Instead, Public Enemy bounced back harder, meaner and even more full of ready-made controversy. Besides the dismissal of Professor Griff, Fear Of A Black Planet gives listeners everything Millions promised and more, booming out the speakers in full shocking, mezmerizing force.