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Album Details

• Artist: Fine Arts Militia
• Album: We Are Gathered Here
• Label: Slam Jamz / Koch
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-06-11

You know you're in for a political ride when Chuck D starts off the album with a rant about Men not being able to handle Women's periods. His sister stated that Men do have periods, they're called wars. He then goes on talking about September 11 and all other political generalists about war. Chuck D is joined by Brian Hardgroove who has worked with Chuck's Public Enemy as well as Bootsy Collins. Chuck D thought it would be fun to work closer to spoken word than straight on rapping. To the uninitiated you may think that all Chuck does on here is rap but it's a little closer to beat poetry than anything. He rhymes about rap, race, reality, technology and the post-9/11 political landscape. He utilizes many of the lectures he has delivered to college students over the past couple of years. There is so much more to Fine Arts Militia than rap. There are elements of rap, rock, funk, and even jazz making this a smart release. I would have to write an essay if I was to get into the messages that Chuck D delivers here but rest assured they are mind-opening. Hardgroove does a great job working on music to go around the lyrics that are delivered. It's not near as hard hitting as a Public Enemy release. Think more along the lines of Bootsy Collins or even George Clinton. We Are Gathered Here is a very interesting and informative album.

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