| Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 3, 1992 | |||
| Genre | Industrial hip hop[1] | |||
| Length | 62:32 | |||
| Label | 4th & B'way, Island, PolyGram | |||
| Producer | Michael Franti | |||
| The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy chronology | ||||
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Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury is the debut album by alternative hip hop crew The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, released in 1992. Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury was met with critical acclaim.
"Television, the Drug of the Nation" was released as a single. It was recorded previously by Michael Franti's first band, the Beatnigs.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Chicago Tribune | [3] |
| Drowned in Sound | 10/10[4] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [5] |
| Los Angeles Times | [6] |
| Q | [7] |
| Rolling Stone |  [8] |
| Select | 4/5[9] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 8/10[10] |
| The Village Voice | A−[11] |
In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau said that, although some of the ideas and metaphors are unconvincing, Michael Franti's "intellectual grasp thrusts him immediately into pop's front rank". He also praised DJ Rono Tse as "a one-man hip hop band" who, with the help of percussionist Mark Pistel, "creates more music than he samples, stretching Bomb Squad parameters to carry the tracks whenever Franti falters."[11] Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury finished number 19 in The Village Voice'sPazz & Jop critics' poll.[12] Christgau, the poll's creator, ranked it number 14 in his own list.[13]
In a retrospective review, AllMusic's Ned Raggett said that the group "tackled every last big issue possible with one of 1992's most underrated efforts." He felt that, while its mix of "Bomb Squad and industrial music approaches" make it an appealing album, Franti's thematic breadth and "rich voice" are highlights.[2]
All tracks are written by Michael Franti, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Satanic Reverses" | 4:45 | |
| 2. | "Famous and Dandy (Like Amos and Andy)" | 6:34 | |
| 3. | "Television, the Drug of the Nation" | 6:38 | |
| 4. | "Language of Violence" | 6:15 | |
| 5. | "The Winter of the Long Hot Summer" | 7:59 | |
| 6. | "Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury" | 3:47 | |
| 7. | "Everyday Life Has Become a Health Risk" | 4:54 | |
| 8. | "INS Greencard A-19 191 500" | 1:36 | |
| 9. | "Socio-Genetic Experiment" | 4:19 | |
| 10. | "Music and Politics" | 4:01 | |
| 11. | "Financial Leprosy" | 5:30 | |
| 12. | "California über alles" | Jello Biafra & John Greenway | 4:13 |
| 13. | "Water Pistol Man" | 5:55 |
| Chart (1992/93) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian (ARIA Charts) | 59[14] |
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