Reviews (13)

I like this
The Crystal Method have become an elite force in techno music. My intro to them was many years ago. They are still going strong. They are from Los Angeles. They make me proud. Five years ago I got burned out on these remix CDs. There were just too many of them. But The Crystal Method have made the format interesting again. PMT "Gyromancer" is a great opening track. Most people will be digging "The Crystal Method Vs. The Doors." The LA ties are strong. Other tracks by Uberzone, New Order, UNKLE, and Smashing Pumpkins make this record unique and diverse. Most of these songs are remixed and tweaked. Most of the tunes are totally reworked. The music sounds like a totally new experience. "Bizarre Love Triangle" is a track that has rocked the dancefloor for almost twenty years. This new Hyper Mix is solid. The Crystal Method rules. They are pure genius.

A mixed bag
I really don't go for the remixes of Doors, Evil Nine, Dylan Rhymes, New Order, or Smashing Pumpkins.For one thing, I'm not really a fan of that music, to begin with.Beyond that, I really think most of those mixes just didn't come out very well.I'm also not big on tracks 13 or 14, or some of the vocal samples scattered throughout the other tracks (especially the otherwise impressive track 10).

As a point of reference, I'd rate Vegas (the only other TCM album I own) a 4.In electronic music, my tastes range from older Chem Bros, older Orbital, and Kruder & Dorfmeister, to RJD2 and Dieselboy.I only mention that, because the large number of 5-star reviews mislead me, slightly.So, maybe it will be of some use to someone in determining why my reaction differs from so many others.

Anyhow, balancing out this album are some good beats and some very infectious riffs.In fact, a few of the tracks do work quite well.

They've done their "Community Service" well
The Los Angeles DJ duo, the Crystal Method, have just released a follow up to their 2002 mixed album, "Community Service."Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan's latest album, "Community Service II," is boss!It has great mixing, awesome beats, and a nice selection of club tunes.I'm never embarassed to play this out in public.

There are 16 tracks on this mixed compilation (including an intro track).Songs include Uberzone's "Octopus."I like how this track sounds like an undersea laboratory song.I wish it were longer though.It's only less than three minutes long.There's also Evil Nine's "We Have the Energy."It's one of my favorites on here.It's wicked!I could work out to this song and go non-stop.Even if it were an hour long song instead of five minutes, the length of the track on this CD, I still won't stop.I should request this song to be played at the local gym I go to.The New Originals' 1799 Remix of the Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" is also in this mix.I used to listen to the original "1979" from 1996 very often.I loved this track.Looking at the tracklist, I didn't know what to expect from this remade version till I listened to it.The middle of the track had the lyrics, "Shakedown 1979," sung over and over nine times.It doesn't beat the original, but it's still a nice track overall.There are other remade tracks on this compilation like New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle," and The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues."The new version of "Roadhouse Blues" is referred to as "The Crystal Method vs. The Doors (Roadhouse Blues Remix)" by The Doors.When I go over to the RV lot at the New Hampshire International Speedway this July, I'm going to play this track at full blast!I have the very urge to do it because this tune gets me pumped, and I wanna be pumped for the Nextel Cup's New England 300 up there."SpeedFreak" by Koma + Bones could also work for the race that weekend."The question is not 'When he's gonna stop.'But 'Who's gonna stop him?'"Other tracks featured in the mix are "Come With Me" by Hyper, "Ghetto Fabulous" by Elite Force, the Crystal Method's "Kalifornia," and "Keep Hope Alive," U.N.K.L.E.'s "Reign (False Prophet Mix)," and more.

This album is just what I needed to get me through summer.This CD's excellent!I should see what "CSIII" would be like if it ever comes into existance.

Crystal Method is back: A must have
If you are a fan of techno/trance/dance, this music will not disappoint you. The first track sets the pace and you are taken on a journey that culminates with one of the best tracks on the album, 1979. There are 1-2 selections in the middle that I thought were boring but, overall, this album is a gem.
Buy it and you will keep it playing as I do. Never mind the neighbours--Its crystal method!!!!

If there is such a method, it IS the Crystal Method....
How surprised was I to see a new release for TCM when browsing amazon!Went right out and bought it that night and has not left my CD player since.I first thought it was slow in picking up, but once track 5 hit (The Doors), it caught me.....and then track 6 was just sick.....one of my favorite tracks on this album.After that, the rest flowed consistently running thru track 16 (pumpkins) which is a very nice remix of 1979!There isn't really much I can tell you except to get the album. It is a GREAT compilation and especially following the great Community Service 1 album, it won't disappoint.Also, if you ever get a chance to see these guys on tour, by all means, get a ticket.I went to the Legion of Boom tour last year and the remixes of Busy Child and Keep Hope Alive was unlike anything I can put into words.Needless to say, the energy was felt!!!! Can't wait for TCM's new album to hit again!Keep it up guys! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

An album even the technophobic couldn't ignore, The Fat of the Land made Prodigy one of the first U.K. rave acts to infiltrate pop culture. Hard-core hip-hop-derived breakbeats, layers of unabashed (but creative) sampling, and meaningless shouted lyrics struck a chord beyond the electronic-music community. The inclusion of "Firestarter" and "Breathe" (both previously released hit singles) certainly aided the disc's widespread success, but it was the ferocity (and controversy) of "Smack My Bitch Up" that caught the world's attention. Guest Shahin Bada's Indian vocalizations convey the sense that dance music has come a long way from "Pump Up the Volume"! "Diesel Power," featuring Kool Keith, and "Funky Shit" set a wicked groove; the cover of L7's "Fuel My Fire" recalls the energy of the Sex Pistols. In fact, the dark aggression of The Fat of the Land bears closer resemblance to both rap and punk than the hedonism of techno. Leader Liam Howett simply gives up 10 solid songs with bombastic production values, transforming dance music into the art of noise. --Lisa Ladouceur ... Read more

Reviews (181)

Intense and Hypnotic
I listen to all different genres of music, but I have found that, honestly, "Fat of the Land" is one of my favourite albums of all time, and certainly the best Prodigy album there is (Jilted Generation certainly gives it a run for its money, and is probably more experimental; but the genius of Fat lies in the fact that it has a very coherant theme running throughout the tracks, and most of the musical ideas work very well). Naturally, however, some tracks are better than others.

Ranked from (1) to (10) (1 is the best track and 10 is the worst

Smack my B-- up: Very urban and gritty, the only drawback of this song is that it takes overly long to get off the ground. The Indipop vocal bridge thing is awesome, though.(7)

Breathe: Perhaps the most popular song on the album, but not really my favourite. Keith Flint's vocals don't work so well, nor does the rock-fusion effort. Serial Thrilla is a much better track in that regard.(8)

Diesel Power: Might've been nice if it weren't for the lame guest rapper.(9)

Funky S--: Awesome song; very fast-paced and aggressive, extensive sampling but all the samples work real well.(4)

Serial Thrilla: Perfect metal/techno fusion track. The guitar part is great, and the vocals fit real well into the song (though I'm not sure that they mean anything). Definately this is the heaviest and most aggressive song on the album, as well as one of the best. The overall sound is very dark and gritty.(2)

Mindfields: Another great track. Mindfields is based on a very simple theme, but it has a very earthy feel to it.(3)

Narayan: Really mystical; this track best captures the trippiness of the latter part of the album in general. It would've been an awesome song, but unfortunately it's not as coherant as it might've been and could use a bit more cleaning up. The lyrics are disturbing and cryptic - they add alot to the overall feel of this track; and the Sanskritish vocal thing in the middle is also great.(6)

Firestarter: Another techno/metal fusion track. Works very well overall; not quite as good as Serial Thrilla, but much better than Breathe. I saw the music video for this and it's also pretty cool.(5)

Climbatize: All in all, I'd say this is by far the best track on the album. This song is very coherant musically, and it has all the elements that make the album great: it's trippy, mystical, exotic, dark, agressive, earthy... (1)

Fuel my Fire: Probably the weakest overall. Fuel my Fire is a cover, adn it shows. The vocals are edgy and sorta irritating, similar to Breathe in alot of respects.(10)

Heartpounding Hardcore Techno
Prodigy's "The Fat of the Land" is one of the best hardcore techno albums recorded. Their combination of guitar rock, rap, club dance, and sampling gives this album some of the most unique techno sounds. Such quality rightfully made them the first rave band to make mainstream in the US. Prodigy has inspired many dance/electronica acts since the release. Its edgy lyrics and edgy beats keeps every listener anxiously awaiting for what'll happen next, regardless of who's singing lead vocals. Every beat keeps many on the dance floor. Such controversy, especially on "Smack My B**** Up", keeps this album interesting. Their top 40 hit single "Firestarter" capitalizes the theme. After six years of release, "The Fat of the Land" continues its hardhitting impact. This is the ultimate album for the ultimate techno fan. Even many non-techno fans will enjoy this. Those who love it, which surely many will, should watch for their new album to be released in 2004.

A Prodigy Indeed
Prodigy has always been a great band. Mixing several genres and coming up with something that is not crap. I love this album from beginning to end. Prodigy's "The Fat of the Land" is to Electronica what "Nevermind" is to Rock. Favorite tracks on this album are "Smack my Bitch Up", Breathe", "Mindfields", "Narayan", "Firestarter", and "Climbatize".

Prodigy made it - it's that simple
Most people are idiots - many people understand this fact, and that it applies to them - however, under partiucular circumstances the average man can forget that he is a complete idiot for a brief period of time, during this time he may look even more idiotic than at other intervals, but on the inside he feels only sheer adrenaline pumping excitement - this album combined with some big speakers and a couple of shots of tequila, can definitely provide the average idiot with a simple means of escape from his own lunacy - One Love -

A unique and terrific album
Some albums stand out from the pack either because they are unique or outstanding.

"The Fat of the Land" by The Prodigy stands out for both reasons. As any good dance album should, "The Fat of the Land" provides a raucous good time from start to finish. It is full of energy and inculcates the listener with that energy -- I think it's impossible to not feel like moving when this album is playing. Moreover, I really don't think that there is even one remotely weak song on this album.

However, what differentiates this album from others of its kind is that it is an odd dichotomy of dark and forboding and yet pounding and fast at the same time. I think that it serves up a different sound that I really haven't heard since.

"Breathe" and "Firestarter" are the two songs that people would be most familiar with -- and they weren't hits for nothing; they are contagiously feral and to this day their sound holds up. In addition to those two, I really like the songs "Smack My Bi*ch Up" (the song is just flat out pure energy -- you become its b*tch as it smacks you upside the head and exhorts you to dance, to move, to do anything but just sit there on your hands), "Funky Sh*t" (my favorite on the album due to its slightly eerie sound), and "Narayan".

If I feel the need to pump up the stereo with something that is fast-paced and energetic, I usually reach first for "The Fat of the Land." If you are a little tired of what the 2000s have served up so far and want to go back in time and explore the 90s, this is definitely one worth checking out. I'd be very surprised if "The Fat of the Land" didn't grab you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland started distributing homemade singles around Los Angeles at the beginning of the '90s, their bass-fortified, hard-rolling techno concoctions perked up the ears of industry impresarios and local scenesters alike. Vegas, their affectionately-titled major label debut, refines the formula. Thick with layers of pounding beats and rock dynamics, it takes the typical club fare and beefs it up with a uniquely western slant. The detectable influences range from the power chords of AC/DC to old school hip-hop patterns to the smooth melodies of Stevie Wonder. On blistering tracks like "Trip Like I Do" and "Keep Hope Alive," the Crystal Method confirm that America has become a force of contention in the electronica field. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Own this CD at all costs
This album by the crystal method is one of the smartest pieces of techno that I have encountered. From the deep, growling "trip like I do"to the wickedly electric "busy child", this CD will leave you breathless and reeling. Whether it be at home on the headphones, driving fast through a big city at night, or a full scale aural assault at a nightclub, the sheer quality of these tunes will make your hair tingle as your favourite bassline drops in. My personal favourite has got to be the phenomenal "keep hope alive" which features at the beginning of the film replacement killers, and was my original inspiration for tracking down the album. Since I first got this CD, everyone who has heard it has bought a copy, and if you truly love dance music you should too. In Britain we hardly ever hear the crystal method, only on certain videos, and certainly never on the radio or TV. When it is heard unexpectedly, those in the know exchange a knowing look, and the grinning begins.

excellent
I bought this cd thinking I may get one, maybe two good cuts. I was happy to find that ALL the cuts are good. "trip like I do" starts off the album and eases into a electro-funk beat then just explodes into a "kick you in the face" jam that totally kicks."busy child" is next and is everything a techno song should be as is "cherry twist" My personal favorite on the cd is "high roller" this song is absolutely amazing. buy this cd just for it alone my one complaint is that I wish I lasted a bit longer. "comin' back" is good but unfortunately they decided to go to the stock techno formula and throw in the cookie cutter female vocals. but who cares, the track is solid despite this. they get right back on track with "keep hope alive" this track just sweeps in and freakin' rocks! the energy stays up for "vapor trail" then "she's My pusher" hits you with some of the most interesting progams on the entire album. "jaded" more stock female vocal (more annoying than 'comin'back' I might add)but once again they wrap the song with excellent beats and programs so you dont mind the little girl voice. the whole thing wraps up with "bad stone" which for me is the next best track on the cd. if you like chemical bros., propellerheads ,delerium, sounds from the ground, etc. you will like .. I like ...dance pool boy!

Four Stars
I know very little about this kind of music, but I do know this, this is awesome! There are a couple of songs here that I skip, but this one is in my cd player at least once a month. Read some of the reviews below for more helpful info on this, like I said, I'm not all that familiar with this style. P.S. if you like this, you'll love "decksanddrumsandrockandroll" by Propellerheads, that disc is truly out of this world!

The transcendental electronic album.
The Crystal Method's debut album Vegas is without a doubt their strongest. It's also arguably the best electronica ever to be made in the USA, and undeniably one of the top electronic albums of all time. Tracks like Trip Like I Do and Keep Hope Alive have become classics, the former softly guiding you towards its frantic climax, the latter a bass-heavy, almost epic, breakbeat anthem. But don't think buying Vegas only gives you two 5 star cuts. The entire album is top-notch, remarkably diverse, and unflinching. It's an intense but artistic journey in "techno," and one of those few great CDs that makes up for all the crap electronica that gives the genre its awful reputation. From the opening Trip Like I Do to the closing Bad Stone, Vegas is a fast-paced, flashy, and kinetic masterpiece, and one of the few "must own" CDs for any electronic music fan. If you don't love this album, you need new ears, or at least better taste in techno. It's really that simple.

The ONE!
This is the ONE TCM cd to own. This is one of my favorite electronica CDs of all time, along with mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession". From the opening track, to the close, "Vegas" delivers the beats in massive amounts! "Trip Like I Do" should be considered a blueprint for all big-beat dance tracks to follow, it's just a perfect song that will shake the foundations as you play it in your car. "Busy Child", "Cherry Twist", these are classics. Unfortunately all the Crystal Method CDs since have been a downhill journey when compared to "Vegas". So there's no reason to gamble on another TCM CD, this is the one to own...let it ride. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Crystal Method's Legion of Boom lives up to its title, dropping blasts of thumping samples, catchy riffs, and dependable grooves. But as with previous records like 2001's Tweekend, a chaotic, industrial darkness lurks around the edges that has little in common with the sheen of commercial dance. Many still compare Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland to the Chemical Brothers and their Big Beat, arena-pleaser cousins. But Boom sounds more like Nitzer Ebb in a good mood, or an angst-free Front 242. The duo has invited another batch of touchy-feely artists to contribute, like those noted softies Wes Borland and John Garcia, formerly of Limp Bizkit and Kyuss, respectively. Don't think for a second they aren't all having a blast, mixing in big, dumb hair metal with abandon. Most fun of all is the boost singer/actress Milla Jovovich gives to "I Know It's You," weaving her tweaked voice through a forest of tangled keyboards. With its bombastic techno-jams, Legion of Boom definitely makes for a tasty party record. Just keep the lights down as low as the bass end if you really want to capture the mood. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (93)

"Legion" is pure Method
"Legion of Boom" is pure Crystal Method. the Method is exploring and finding new layers. They're not as smooth as they were in "Vegas" but they're taking risks that pay off.

The Highs - The first track "Starting Over" has a slow techno start that evolves into a dynamic "zing grind" that gives me the chills! The single "Born Too Slow" alone is worth getting the CD! I love Wes Borland guitar with the awesome spin-back riffs. The amusing video is included for a "rich CD experience". "True Grit" feels more like the classic "High Roller" from "Vegas" with it's pulsing echoey depth. "The American Way" has an terrific industrial anthem feel. The slap bass of "High and Low" evolves into a real adrenaline burst.

The Lows - The jangly "Acetone" and "Bound Too Long" with its stretched rubberband feel and goofy vocals are not includable on my first compilation. "Broken Glass" and "Weapons of Mass Distortion" don't have the hooks for dance and are too disjoined for atmosphere.

The Mid - "Realizer" is a good vocal-based dance number. "I Know It's You" with the vocal's provided by on/off star Milla Jovovich is atmospheric with some recycled algorythms from "Vegas"

"Legion of Boom" has more highs than "Tweekend" and could be my favorite Method. Only time will tell. I do love the Method. I try to explain my affinity for the Crystal Method to my older friends and am at a loss for words. I guess "BigBeat/Dance/Electronica" is those who've grown up in the video game generation. I love to workout to these tunes, I push myself harder and go longer with these driving beats at my back.

Nothing gets my pulse pounding and my brain sharpened like The Crystal Method, masters of the "audio-vibro-thrill."

Great, consistent body of work
That's what TCM is moving toward at this moment. It boggles my mind how a lot of magazine i.e. blender, rolling stone and spin gave this cd bad reviews saying that it sounded "outdated" and like something from the 90's whereas rock bands like the Strokes, the Darkness or whomever else blatantly rip off previous bands work and get there fellated in the press. American media has it out for dance music in general especially any artists from our own country, when Basement Jaxx or Daft Punk or whoever else comes out with an album they're called heroes because they're from Europe. Meanwhile we have a group here in the US he keeps giving us amazing albums but is slowly becoming ignored in the press, AFTER GOING PLATINUM WITH VEGAS!!! obviously no one knows how to market these bands so the bigwigs are happy so they're put on the shelf and hopefully they sell. Well anyway get this album you'll enjoy it, it's completely danceable and listenable when just relaxing as well.
P.S. I don't dislike any of the bands mentioned in this review I'm just using them as examples, but the Vines and the Hives do suck though.

Made my mind tingle
This disc was suggested to me, and was I ever glad I looked into it. From the first track to the last, I never found myself skipping anything, and more often than not, I hit the replay button when I reached the end. LEGION OF BOOM kept me company while I worked for more than two weeks, and I still revisit when I need something to get my blood moving and my thoughts jumping. Sharp and crisp, with enough confident strength to catch and hold my interest. Favorites on the disc: "The American Way," "I Know It's You," and "Wide Open."

Boring
I was hooked the first time I heard their first LP, Vegas, about 5 years ago or so. When Tweakend came out, I thought, decent album, but doesn't touch Vegas.

Legion of Boom is a very boring album. Everytime I try to put it in I give it the benefit of a doubt. I figure maybe the last time I listened to it I was just tired, or I wasn't open to a new sound.

Wrong.

This album is just boring as hell. There is nothing in this album that keeps my attention. For anyone who thinks they are just growing musically, well, just keep thinking that I guess. They sound bored. Maybe they've made too much money with their songs appearing in commercials and movies, and they have just gotten lazy.

Come on guys, light a fire under you so we can be wowed again.

Uneven.
Legion Of Boom doesn't have bass. Legion Of Boom IS bass. The Crystal Method's third album is a loud, in-your-face blowout of basslines and guitars. I said Tweekend was the evil little brother of Vegas; this time around, Legion is the evil little brother of Tweekend, if that's at all possible.

The album starts strong, with the great opening track Starting Over. The big single off this album Born Too Slow follows, though frankly it's my least favorite number on the album. Unfortunately, after this point, the album seems to lose focus. True Grit and The American Way feel very much like "filler" tracks. I Know It's You starts incredibly well, but unfortunately climaxes in a harsh medley of high-pitch screeching noises; disappointing, to say the least. Realizer is immediately forgettable, though Broken Glass has a great beat and style that echoes of some of Tweekend's better aspects. Thankfully, the album picks up some momentum here. Weapons Of Mass Distortion is intense and clearly the successor to the great Name Of The Game. Bound Too Long isn't bad at all, and from here the album gets decidely more electronic, with less focus on guitars. Acetone is stellar, and sounds more like a grown-up track from their debut album, Vegas. The two closing tracks, High And Low and Wide Open, also seem more Vegas inspired than Tweekend, and do a great job of finishing the CD pleasantly.

Vegas was all about flash. Tweekend was attitude. Legion is bass. It's unfortunately the weakest of the Method's three CDs, its high moments marred by the uninspired and boring filler. While it refines both the Tweekend and Vegas sounds, it brings nothing new of its own to the table. Worth a listen, but not a "must have." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Norman Cook's bubble-gum techno songs--put out under a variety of guises over the years, including Pizzaman and Freak Power--are essential staples on any international dance floor. Fatboy Slim, however, is the former Housemartin's most successful incarnation, launching a Top 40 crossover hit and popular advertising jingle with last year's "Going out of My Head." You've Come a Long Way, Baby picks up where the smash single left off, cheekily pairing acidic synthesizers and drum machines with big, dumb vocal samples. It takes considerable effort sitting through an entire album of these energized tunes, but taken in small doses, songs like "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Soul Surfing" are like rays of sunshine. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (281)

*I* am the funk soul brother!
Holy macroni. 253 people before me have reviewed this in-every-way-pleasing work. What on earth can I say that has not already been said? Probably nothing, but I'll be on top of the list for a couple of weeks maybe, so it worth saying this:

This album makes you feel cool.

Ok, if I had gotten it three years ago when if first came out, I would have felt a great deal cooler, but when you are into the music you know what? Those three years just don't matter. ....

The rhythms, the grooves, the timing. Yeah, it's mostly about the timing on this thing. He has it right. He'll push a loud electronic whine just to the point where it holds your attention and you'll say, hmm, that's a bit loud I wonder if I am pissing off my neighbors, but then he breaks it down, and screw the neighbors, that was perfectly done! That was just right! It's not like they don't play their Hawaii Five Oh soundtrack a little too loud, after all.

I buy a lot of electronica these days, and some of it grows a bit stale a bit fast. I have regretted some high-star reviews I have given in the past. Not this one. I waited. I listened to it a hundred times -- no, not in a row, I may like the stuff, but I am not a psycho -- and here's the conclusion:

This stuff makes you feel happy. It makes you feel hip. It's got great energy, great texture, and absolutely perfect timing. Over and over again.

Are you on the fence? Go on, hit the button. I promise: you won't regret it.

Here, tell you what, if you buy it, and you think it's lame, you can blame it on me.

HE's THE ONE...FATBOY SLIM IS THE MAN!
This review is for the newcomers to electronica like myself: I am a hip hop/pop/R&B cat, but lately, songs by Sonique, Alice Deejay, Paul Van Dyk, ATB, Groove Armada (shall I go on?) as well as my first rave in LA have turned me on to the more electronic side of things...and while this universe is huge with many underground DJs, no other DJ/artist has impressed me more than Mr. Norman Cook, aka Scanty Sandwhich, most commonly known as the one and only, Fatboy Slim.

There are three major cuts on this album. The "Rockafeller Skank" is probably the most popular (check it out now...) and it's impossible not to dance when you hear this song. I like the way it updates the 'surfer' sound to the year 2000. Then there's my favorite, "Gangster Tripping" - it sounds a lot like Fatboy Slim's remix of the Beastie Boys' "Body Movin". Both "Body Movin" and "Ganster Tripping" will have you bobbing your head and shaking your rump. Then, there's the very MTV friendly "Praise You". I actually like this song a lot...it's a relaxing, mellow song that's great for driving, especially on long road trips. The rest of the album is good too, but the three songs I just mentioned are indeed, true sonic gems.

But wait...you say 'three songs isn't enough to be sold on Fatboy Slim'...well, you're right. But do you like Groove Armada's "I See You Baby" (shakin that...)? Well, it was mixed by Fatboy Slim. How about "Because of You" by Scanty Sandwhich? That was Fatboy Slim too. Basically, FB Slim's trademark is making music that is truly FUNKY, with frantic, playful drum beats...and I think that's so cool. He's not afraid to appeal to headz like myself who appreciate hearing a familiar tune every now and then. I loved the way he played with young Michael Jackson's voice on "Because Of You".

This particular genre of techno/electronica is called 'Big Beat'. If you liked "Block Rockin Beats" by the Chemical Brothers (too phat...), or songs by Prodigy (remember "Breathe?) your ears will be Fatboy Slim-compatible. Music can be WAY TOO EXPENSIVE these days...so you've got to be extra choosy when buying whole albums. Be sure the album (or artist) that you invest into is worth your hard earned currency. I think Fatboy Slim is great, and he's definitely not a one hit wonder. I'm impressed enough to buy his music, and as an emerging journalist in the music industry, I'd have to say that along with Paul Okenfold, Fatboy Slim is a true pioneer of electronica, making him an instant legend in the genre of techno/electronica. Newcomers...(i.e. 'I like Alice Deejay' - which is actually trance) start with this one. Then proceed with some more dance compilations to find out who else you're into...otherwise you might get stuck with a CD with one good song, and by then you can't get your money back - but there's no chance of that with this album...

Knyte (Trust Me)

The big beat classic!
This is one of my favorite techno CDs, along with mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession".
Here it is, the big beat classic by which all others are judged. Fatboy's signature style of building up a song, tearing it down and quickly exploding it in the listeners face is present on serval of these tracks. "Praise You" and "T.R.S." will get the casual listeners attention, but tracks like "Acid 8000", "Soul Surfing" and "Gangster Tripping" will make them fans for life.
This CD came out in 98, so if it's not in your dance collection by now...you need to pick it up today!!!

PRAISE HIM LIKE YOU SHOULD!!!
Six years after it's initial release, I've finally gotten around to getting Fatboy Slim's "You've Come Along Way, Baby!"--although I'm ashamed to say from one of those used CD bins. HEY! One man's trash is another man's treasure! The reason for my tardiness is I'm usually turned off by artists, groups, CDs or songs that get too much attention or airplay! In fact, I usually stray away from them! Fatboy Slim was/is definitely one of those artists. All that said, I was thouroughly impressed with this guy's skills as a DJ/mixer, although at times some of FBS' music becomes repetitive, nerve-racking and down right noisy. That notwithstanding, songs like "Right Here, Right Now", "You're Not From Brighton" and "Acid 8000" are winners (IMO)! Is "You've Come A Long Way, Baby!" a classic?...depends on who you ask...but without a doubt it should be in every club heads's CD collection.

A Solid Party Album
When I first heard this, I thought it was a masterpiece and a classic dance record. It truly impresses at first, given that it has a lot of catchy and appealing tunes. However, the more I listened to it the more repetitive and boring it became. Yes, Fatboy Slim (or Norman Cook if you prefer) realy knows what he`s doing, and he certainly is one of the best in the big beat genre, but most of these songs are way too formulaic to deserve classic status, even if they truly impress at first. Sure, this is an enjoyable record with some stunning moments ("Right Here, Right Now", "Love Island", "You`re Not From Brighton") and it`s a great choice for a party, still for a home listening it`s a bit too much, becoming annoying and irritating at parts. For a mainstream electronica album it`s quite a strong effort, containing plenty of impressive and addictive samples, but it`s not as great as some claim it to be.
Fun and entertaining. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Working with Blur on their Think Tank album clearly made an impact on Norman Cook. Palookaville, his fourth outing as cartoon dance hero Fatboy Slim, has a distinctly beatnik theme running through it. It also relies more on real instruments and proper songs, rather than Cook's laptop and fun floor fillers, swapping instant thrills for something longer lasting. That said it's unmistakably a Fatboy Slim record, and a pretty phenomenal one at that.

The trademark beach party anthems are still there. The Latino shake of "Wonderful Night," "El Bebe Masoquista"'s electro-funk, and single "Slash Dot Dash" with its snarling surf guitar all prove that there's life in Bigbeat yet. But it's the mellower tracks that stand-up to constant rewinds. "North West Three," a dreamy twilight tune dedicated to wife Zoe Ball, is a gorgeously romantic swayer and plinky hobo ditty "Put It Back Together" delivers a ramshackle shot of optimism in the Think Tank style, complete with a drowsy Damon Albarn. Meanwhile, the moody sub-bass rumble of "Long Way From Home" and road movie rocker "Push and Shove" find the middle ground and demonstrate that Cook's imagination is as active as ever.

All the usual cut'n'paste musical bric-a-brac's there. All the wackiness and cool grooves remain. It's just that this time they sound just as good in the living room as they do on the dance-floor. --Dan Gennoe ... Read more

Album Description

The soundtrack to this motion picture features new music from The RZA (Wu Tang Clan) with Lil' Flip, Ol' Dirty Bastard, WC and E-40, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, The Crystal Method, and much more. There are three editions: regular, clean, and deluxe. The deluxe edition includes a 12-page comic by Takashi Okazaki and a bonus DVD with an animated short, a story board animatic and making-of footage, character designs, Blade Manga art, a weapons gallery, behind the scenes footage of The RZA scoring the film, and more. Exclusive liner notes from director David Goyer. PARENTAL ADVISORY. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

help
what is the song that is played when blade jumps out of the building after being rescued and the three of them jump into the vehicle and drive away with the fourth guy? Sounds kinda like a reggae/hip hop mix.

Blade Trinity
The song that plays during Abby's target practice is The Crystal Method's "Starting Over."

What song is this?
What is the song that they play in Blade Trinity when Abby takes out her bow for the first time at the police station when they rescue Blade? They also play it when Blade, Abby, and King pass through the security inspection right before they get to Drake thinking that it was Dr. Vance? Also what song is it when Abby is taking target practice with her bow? If you know, please please e-mail me at Ruffnole55@aol.com

RZA - Fatal sample
the song sampled in RZA - Fatal track is by Velvet Underground and is called 'Venus In Furs' from their debut album 'Velvet Underground & Nico' released in 1969. In case anyone wants to know.

help me?
does anybody know the song which is played in the background of the blade 3 movie trailer because its not on the soundtrack album and i like the song ... Read more

Amazon.com

To remain relevant after a decade in the music industry is rare indeed; for a dance act, it's virtually unique. Singles 93-03 ably demonstrates how the Chemical Brothers have managed it. Having first carved a reputation as DJs the Dust Brothers in the early 1990s, the two history graduates narrowly avoided calling themselves the London Dust Explosion before spearheading big beat, becoming a huge live draw, collaborating with Noel Gallagher and having Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis play "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" at his wedding. It's been 10 years of fun, frolics, and gigantean left-field beats for Ed Simmons and Tom Rowland and, as this faultless singles collection testifies, continual reinvention.

From the seething siren, pounding breaks, breathy vocals and spellbinding post-acid electronica of album opener "Song to the Siren" to the ingenious collaboration with the Flaming Lips, "The Golden Path," Tom 'n' Ed have somehow managed to carve tracks that appeal equally to radio, clubs, and the live arena. Alongside the cement-cracking bass of "Leave Home" and "Block Rockin' Beats" comes the high-inducing sonic debauchery of "The Private Psychedelic Reel" and dancefloor filler "Star Guitar," to name but a few of the many highlights. Ingenious, boundary-baffling stuff, this compilation offers a hypnotic historical tour of one of the most creative careers in dance music. --Christopher Barrett ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Great CD that's missing a few tracks....
I agree with a lot of the other reviewers of this CD, it's lacking some key tracks. "Music Response" & "Under the Influence" are CB classics!!! Yet, they aren't here. I only recommend this collection for new listeners and die hard fans (like myself) that want to hear the new tracks included. Don't get me wrong by the 3 star rating, this is killer music! But, my score would have been higher if the track selection would have been better. I guess they didn't want to give away ALL their best stuff on one collection.
If you're looking for new techno and this collection doesn't offer enough new material for you, then I HIGHLY recommend mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession". Any fan of the Chemical Brothers will dig his music!

Excellent sounds from on high!
This CD collection is one of the best electronica albums out right now, it ranks right up there with Air's "Talkie Walkie" and mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession". With this collection, you'll see why the Chemical Brothers rule electronica with an iron fist. All the best tracks are here, sure some greats are missing, but you can't please everyone. Plus, the new tracks are worth the purchase price alone. The Golden Path, for example, is one of the best Chemical Brother tracks I've ever heard!!!!
If you're a new fan of electronica or dance music, this is the holy grail that you've been searching for!!!!!!! A must buy!

Best tracks are missing, but...
A lot of people have said in other reviews of this collection, that the Brothers have left the best tracks off of this collection. This is true. Also, there really aren't enough new tracks or remixes to get longtime fans interested in this collection. With that said, I think this is an excellent CD set for new listeners to hear what the Chemical Brothers are all about. This collection serves as nothing more, in my opinion, then as a way to get new listeners hooked on the Brothers and convince them to buy some of the old CDs.
The only thing I think longtime fans would dig about this collection is the very detailed history of the band in the CD's liner notes. The CD booklet is loaded with rare photos and info about this reclusive group.
The only track I haven't found on another Chemical Brothers disc is the Mix 2 of Under the Influence which is really cool. For this track, the Brothers combined some of the sounds from Out of Control and used them in a creative way during Under the Influence, not bad.
New fans will love this and will get an education on the greatest innovators of dance/techno music. However, longtime fans will find the collection lacking and will just keep playing the Chemical Brothers CDs they already have, but may find the CD booklet very interesting.
PS - I also agree with another reviewer here that recommended mr.deviant's "Techno Obsession", that's a killer disc and Chem' fans should dig his material too.

The brothers work it out.
I absolutely LOVE the chemical brothers. So I'm a little bit biased, but oh well. Even though this is a singles collection, it doesn't feel like it. I'd say it's a great introduction to the chems, and for the fans it's a great disc to have, especially for the 2nd disc, which contains "The Duke" which is wicked, and the excellent "Delik." The thing that I love about the chemical brothers is how passionate they are about music. They love what they do, and it shows. To me they are just on another level all together, making other similar dance artists seem as if they are just churning out mediocre tracks, just blending in with the rest of them. But when you listen to the chems...you immediately sense something different. The music stands out, the tracks carry a certain strength. "The Golden Path" is easily a contender for track of the year, representing everything they are about in one psychedelic house track. Just how do they get some of the sounds they use??? Brilliant. As far as the chosen tracks for the collection, I would've added "It Began In Afrika." To me that is one of the most forward thinking dance tracks ever. Sounds absolutely HUGE in a club. I find myself listening to the chemical brothers more after purchasing this, going back to "dig your own hole" and "surrender" quite a bit as well. I highly recommend this collection, Plaid "Parts In The Post" as well as Sean Fry "For The Good Of All Concerned" if you're more adventurous and looking for other great electronic music. Cheers

My drug diary
Listening to the singles of the Chemical Brothers is like trying to remember a party years ago when you were on drugs and you lost your mind. The is like a soundtrack to all my drug abuse in the past. "Leave Home" reminds me of staying up all night many times. "Block Rocking Beats" reminds me of hanging out at a roof party in Williamsburg in 1996. "Hey Girl Hey Boy" reminds me of the time I went to Cyberfest 1999 in San Jose. "Star Guitar" reminds me of the last time I went to London. All these songs catch a moment in time: you always are thinking where were you when you first heard it. They have a few new songs here with K-OS and Wayne Coyne. They are famous for their collaborations with Schooly D, Noel Gallagher, Jonathan Donahue, Bernard Sumner, Richard Ashcroft and others. In one way, the Chemical Brothers were a singles band. These are the songs that had the impact. As a full-length album band they are great too. It's all about remembering good times and good nights out. Just get yourself high. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Since the Chemical Brothers explosion, new big-beat acts from the U.K. are greeted with skepticism, but Propellerheads are no copycats. Alex Gifford and Will White did the usual groundwork by releasing singles and EPs before giving up a full album. The groovy single "History Repeating," featuring '60s cabaret vocalist Shirley Bassey, plays slightly into the lounge revival of the late '90s but with a James Bond-esque style that grabs attention similar to Portishead's "Sour Times." The recurring spy film theme makes this a perfect soundtrack for Austin Powers's first rave--"On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is actually a Bond remake. Propellerheads also slip in full-on "rock" jams ("Bang On!") and slick urban cut-ups reminiscent of De La Soul, who appear on "360° (Oh Yeah?)." Shifting tempos from laidback to lightning-fast with exceptional ease, Decksandrumsandrockandroll is a solid collection of funky, jazzy, hip-hop-influenced dance music that has earned its mainstream acceptance by delivering the goods. --Liisa Ladouceur ... Read more

Reviews (109)

Outstanding CD.
After seeing Propellerheads on my recommended list several times, I finally gave in and bought the Decksandrumsandrockandroll CD. Terrific choice! I loved the album from the opening song. Propellerheads are amazingly versatile and the range of styles and moods exhibited on this disc are astounding. The covers "History Repeating" (Featuring Shirley Bassey) and "On Her Magesty's Secret Service" are absolutely first rate. Other wonderful tracks include "Take California," "Velvet Pants," "Bigger ?," "Cominagetcha" and "You Want It Back" (Featuring Jungle Brothers). Lesser tracks, but still quite good, include "360 / Oh Yeah" (Featuring De La Soul), "Winning Style," "Bang On!," "Better ?" and "Spy Break." I find no merit in "A Number of Microphones" and I wish I could get it off the CD.

I've now listened to this CD about 20 times and I thoroughly enjoy it. Some of the songs provide excellent dance music. However, the humorous banter and the aforementioned "Microphones" track don't stand up to repeated listenings and I'm left with the urge to edit the disc. Alas, this is a minor complaint and some listeners may actually enjoy this stuff. All in all, this is an outstanding disc and I'll be looking forward to their next offering.

An awesome mix of many styles of music
I bought Decksanddrumsandrockandroll for Take California, but after hearing the other tracks I forgot about it. The Propellerheads have done a great job of mixing backbeat, techno, jazz, ambient(?) and some other styles that I can't think of names for. This CD is definately a genre-bender, almost all the songs just plain sound cool. My favourites are Better?, 360°, History Repeating (great vocals!), Winning Style, Cominagetcha, Spybreak, OHMSS, Band On!, and Bigger?. However, if you're more into 'hard' techno, (or whatever it's called) for example, the newer Prodigy stuff, this may not be for you. It's cool for dancing, and listening, but don't slam it into your CD player and wait for something exciting to happen, because most songs aren't very dramatic and are sometimes a bit repetitive. But they're good. -+SrCosmo

Propellerheads straddle rock and Big Beat
Is it rock or is it Memorex? The Propellerheads have the trademark Big Beat aesthetic, thumping trancelike rhythms, along with a level of rock intensity. Overall 'Decksandrumsandrockandroll' combines thick heavy backbeats with guitar-vitriol, creatively chosen samples/overdubs, making for a fast-paced relentless sound. This CD stands above the rest of the Big Beat genre, with the same type of free-spirited abandon reminiscent of 70's rock, plucking strands from a wide range of musical elements in typical electronica fashion. Yet this is not some hastily put together computer driven beat-fest, it's musically challenging, exceptional production, demonstrating artistic integrity all in the spirit to create. Exhilerating, hypnotic and rhythmic. Born to run, born to dance, and feel free to imagine the wind blowing against your face.

Makes my day better... EVERYTIME!
This is gooooood music! I have been listening to this for years and it never gets old!
It gets you going and makes you happy! (warning: if you don't like driving fast don't put this in your car - it's a much better workout/morning alarm/be happy thing)
You might have heard some of this from the Matrix movie in those slow/fluid/powerful/raw action scenes.
I like many kinds of good music, from Ella Fitzgerald to Alice in Chains (Dirt), to Evanessence, and back around to Gershwin, so whatever your taste is just close your eyes, buy this, take that leap and you'll never look back.

Awesome
I just bought this cd and it has not left my cd player. I can't believe I didn't get this long ago. It's got a great beat, it's funky, you've gotta move while you listen. It's a classic. It's one of the best cd's i own now! if you dig The Chemical Bros, The Streets, FatBoy Slim, etc. you will love this cd. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For the fourth release in his acclaimed Mushroom Jazz series, DJ Mark Farina lets the urban dance and hip-hop roll while staying true to the downtempo, rainy-day-jazz mode that inspired the series title. Farina has left a trail of devoted jazz-house fans in his wake, from Chicago to San Francisco. Some might not follow the path he walks on this record, which even more than Jazz 3 finds inspiration in the DJ flava of rappers like Mr. Lif and Fat Jon. Others will appreciate the easy, smooth vibe of the record, not to mention Farina's always dependable taste in selections and contrasts. Benny Blanko's "Listen" empties into the funky din of Bernal Boogie's "Phone Tap" with nary a ripple, while tracks from Scienz of Life and People Under the Stairs hypnotize and pleasantly disorient the listener with a sweaty serenity. By cradling rougher styles in smooth trip textures, Farina successfully expands his palette and keeps the series crispy fresh. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Farina does it again! :-D
Having followed the Mushroom Jazz series from my preorder on Volume One, I can tell you this CD is fantastic. Definitely one of the best ones in the series, if not *the* best one to date. Definitely the CD to chill to, play in the background, or just relax to. Certainly a smokers' CD. This thing jams. For me personally, the disc just opens up very jazzy, and immediately peaks with the long smooth mix of track 2 into 3 and the alternating beats of 3 into 4 (from Puts "Suite for Beaver Pt. 1" to Trankilou's "Chicago Babe"). Another nice touch is the well placed scattering of vintage sounding public service announcements and informative video narrative, along with the obligatory hip hop samples of course)

All in all, a very tight disc. I would highly recommend it will be listening to it, along with 1, 2, and 3, until the next installment is out!

Thanks Mark, can't wait to catch a show next time you swing through Boston! ;)

Another Masterpiece!!
In my opinion, Mark Farina ranks among the world's greatest
DJs. Anyone who has heard "United DJs of America"/"Connect"
etc.. or seen him live knows that he can lay out the funky
house grooves like no one else. His Mushroom Jazz albums are
pure artistry with a seamless mix of downtempo jazzy tracks
enhanced by his personal touch. The great thing about Mark
Farina is that these albums are not just a collection of great
records, they are tracks woven together into a single entity
that is fresh and unique to his style. Vol.4 definitely does
not disappoint, being funky and cool--just what you would
expect. This album fits perfectly within the whole series, yet
it sounds original and upto date. Enough said--Just buy it and
listen for yourself, this record is guaranteed to find its way
into your high rotation CDs

Farina has out done himself again
Just like the intro says "make sure you have your own personal copy to play again and again when you feel yourself getting off the track." Never before have I heard an album that can guide you through such a relaxing experience. No matter how horrible your day may have been or how bad you may be feeling, one spin of this cd and you will forget about all your troubles. With the smooth jazzy beats that seamlessly transition from tract to tract, Farina has produced another classic in the Mushroom Jazz series. If you are a fan or if you are just begining to discover the Mushroom Jazz series, this is must have in any collection.

Save your money...
First off, I am a huge Mark Farina fan and have most of his works. This collection is a bit disappointing for someone with Mark's talent. The tracks do have a "smooth-jazzy" feel, but there is a lack of cohesiveness and direction on this CD. In addition, there is too much repitition in many of the beats and he doesn't take you on that typical Mark Farina ride of diverse variety. If you want better Mark Farina recommendations, I would start with United DJs, SF Sessions or Connect.

Waking up or winding down was never so sweet
Om is a label that lately can do no wrong. I've been listening to this and Kaskade every morning since I've gotten them, vibing off their low key but inspiring energy. Om's Winter Music party in Miami was packed wall to wall with the best vibe of the conference, a feeling that seems to flows right into their music. Mushroom Jazz actually started as a weekly club night in Chicago - perhaps getting a nod with "Chicago Babe" - then a mixtape series, finally finding a home at Om. This fourth installment with Mark Farina (he's done one, two and three too) is a smooth compilation of sweet earthy, jazzy mid to downtempo grooves. There's a sexy hip hop thing going on at the same time... you know what this music would be good for, right?? Opening up with Pete Rock "A Little Soul" a minimalist beat and high hat are punctuated with old instructional record samples, horns and claps. Standouts include DJ Spinna's remix of Tek 8 "Seven Days" and the soulful vocals on Laurnea "Keep Your Head Up." Waking up or winding down was never so sweet. ... Read more

Album Description

The soundtrack to this motion picture features new music from The RZA (Wu Tang Clan) with Lil' Flip, Ol' Dirty Bastard, WC and E-40, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, The Crystal Method, and much more. There are three editions: regular, clean, and deluxe. The deluxe edition includes a 12-page comic by Takashi Okazaki and a bonus DVD with an animated short, a story board animatic and making-of footage, character designs, Blade Manga art, a weapons gallery, behind the scenes footage of The RZA scoring the film, and more. Exclusive liner notes from director David Goyer. PARENTAL ADVISORY. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Couldn't have been better...
Unlike what some may think who are opposed to hip hop, this soundtrack features one of the co-composers' for some of the most well known tracks from the movie- The RZA. Plus a couple more good hip hop tracks and some killer techno and metal. "Fatal" being the best track, and everything else superb. If you liked the movie you will love the soundtrack!

Awesome
As expected for an action movie, the soundtrack is fast-paced and all the music gets you pumped. I love it and the range of music on it, all of it is simply awesome. There is plenty of electronic and rap on there for everyone to enjoy

Can we please get over this hip-hop phase?
As usual, for a horror action movie, the soundtrack the is the predictable mix of dance/techno/whatever you call it tracks and hip-hop/rap/whatever you call it tracks. The dance/techno tracks on this album are excellent. The Crystal Method track is a stand out, as is the Black Lab track, but the rest are also impressive, and best experienced at high volume just as they were in the movie. Why people insist on pushing this hip-hop/rap garbage on us is still a mystery. It's terrible music, and when the dance/techno music fits the mood so well it's a wonder they don't just fill the soundtrack/movie with that style and ignore the try-hard home boys. If nothing else at least out of the 12 tracks on the album, only the first 4 are unbearable hip-hop "music", and the rest is excellent. Still, as long as you are happy with paying for an album that is a third garbage, then the rest of the tracks are worth the purchase.

Wow.
It has somthing for everybody. Dance, acoustic, rap, and heavy metal. Buy it. What?? Quit looking at me and go buy it!! ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A collection of three EPs released in limited quantities by this London duo (Nick Franglen and Fred Deakin), Lemonjelly.ky is what happens when you mix electronic psychedelia with downtempo beats, a selection of warm and organic sounds, a splash of sunshine, and a big dose of smiles. Coming across like a series of electronic fairy tales designed for warm, hazy afternoons in the park, Lemon Jelly are all about a good time, chill style. Kruder & Dorfmeister would approve, as would the Orb, but LemonJelly also have a stoner's sense of humor to accompany their warmly chaotic mixes. Take "A Tune for Jack," with its big sea elephants and smooth high-synth sound that evokes the Parisian duo Air, and then trythe amusingly instructional voiceover during "The Staunton Lick." Both illustrate clearly that for Lemon Jelly there are no rules other than to let your imagination (fueled as it might be) wander where it must. Indeed, one of the most delightful things about this album, as you meander through stunningly lush pastures like "Homage to Patagonia" and the melancholic romance of "Kneel Before Your God," is its ability to marry great music with a genuine sense of goodwill and happy disorder. If Alice ever did manage to hear some tunes as she tripped about Wonderland, Lemonjelly.ky must have been the soundtrack she enjoyed. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Enchanting
Lots of eloquent praises have already been sung on this page about the gleeful and utterly entrancing album that is "lemonjelly.ky", but I have to put my two cents in since I find it to be one of the most delightful and relaxing albums I have heard recently. The opener, "In the Bath", is in my opinion the strongest point on the album. It skips through fairly familiar territory for most fans of downtempo or IDM but it is a catchy tune that makes great party music. The rest of the album has an overall slower pace, which makes it more suited perhaps for being played in the background when you have a few friends over for cocktails and board games. "Homage to Patagonia" combines a soothing melody and ambient feel with a unique Eastern theme that makes it my candidate for second-best song on the album. The samples scattered throughout the rest of the song make for amusing listening, such as the guitar instruction intertwined with the beats of "The Staunton Lick", or "Nervous Tension"'s appropriation of what sounds like samples fron a mainstream "How to Meditate" record from 1963. Overall a solid buy if you are into the likes of Tipsy, Thievery Corporation, or Noonday Underground's instrumental work.

gorgeous artwork AND gorgeous sounds
As a new listener of "electronic" music, I wasn't sure what to expect from this album (which I had purchased based on the reviews here.) Being pleasantly surprised is a bit of an understatement! I was wowed, not only because of this album's accessibility, but because of the way it sucks you in and creates an atmosphere. That is vague, sorry... each song is different but similar enough to the others that a definite mood is created. There are bleeps and blips and drum loops and snippets of people talking, but they're all blended in such a way that isn't annoying and forced. Everything flows - due primarily to the catchy rhythms and clever melodies.

I've listened to this album while cleaning the house and at bedtime because at a lower volume, lemonjelly.ky is very relaxing. But just yesterday I was listening to it while speeding along the highway and the album was much more exciting, which surprised me. I thought it would warrant a nice, relaxing car trip, but instead it just made me want to drive faster! So I guess Lemon Jelly figured out a way to create an album that would suit any mood. That's success in my book!

What a quirky band!!
Lemon Jelly is one of the most unique style's of music that I've heard. They combine speech recordings with looped samples from various sources and manage to create beautiful music. "A tune for Jack" has a nice jazz piano lick, a baby saying "oom-baby, ba-bum-ba-bum ooom-baby," and and a laid-back beat. At the beginning a man is in South America capturing a sea elephant and there are these barking noises that sound gross. It's hilarious!! These guys have a great sense of humor and it really shows on this collection of ep's. This album can be very thought-provoking on some tracks such as "page one." It's not like really deep metaphoric poetry like on most pop or rock albums because it is a voice recording probably taken from some book on evolution or something. But, the combination of the vocals and the sampled pianos, bass, guitar, and what not create an atmoshpere or mood that draws you into a different world as you ponder what the man is saying. A few of the tracks don't have any words, but they are also excellent. "Come" is such a dreamy, laid-back, and simple, song - a perfect closer. The harmonica meanderings on that song are so great. They take the song to a new level. It is hard to pick a favorite from such a diverse, yet equally good album, but "the Staunton lick," and "page one" are two of my personal favorites. But, seriously, this album maintains it's excellence from track one all the way to nine! It will take you on a rollercoaster of thoughts, and feelings that will surely leave you gaping and drooling for more sweet lemon jelly!

KY That feels good
Another groovy disc from the chillmeisters. One cannot be sad at all listening to these happy peppy people producing positively
wunderful wundertunes. Put on and float on a cloud.

The Super Sunshine Plastified Jelly Treatment
oh yeah! hoorah everybody, it is lemon jelly in their debut cd, lemonjelly.ky / whether the title be a clever jab at what most of the internet is, or relating to a life of super swanky gratification or whatever- I choose to view this album in a way similar to Boards of Canada's Music Has the Right To Children. This is aural healing, as spiritual as it is material. As another reviewer put it, "Aural Elation." yah. It is. Fresh, relaxing, visionary, utopian stuff. Rinse off yr dirt and worldly cares in a bathtub full of lemon jelly. hoorah. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Exciting, edgy, and energetic, Community Service, the Crystal Method's debut DJ mix release, is an instant success. Method men Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan have molded 15 cuts from the likes of Orbital, Rage Against the Machine, and Evil 9 into their own futureshock soundscape, with a result that sounds like an after-hours electronic speed-romp through a postapocalyptic Playstation mega city. At times, Community Service sounds like the sister of German techno-chase film Run Lola Run, nowhere more so than during Koma & Bones' pulsating "Morpheus (Meat Katie and Dylan Rhymes Mix)" and Force Mass Motion vs. Dylan Rhymes's "Hold Back." Add some nice funky flashes to the overall techno-based energy, and Community Service is an entertaining reminder that these boys still know their way around decks as well as desktops. --Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Not what I thought it would be
The reason I purchased this album was the mix of "Wild, Sweet & Cool". Which in retrospect was a mistake. That song is the only song on the album which reminds me that this a Crystal Method CD. I liked Vegas & Tweakend but they are not "Dance Mix CD's". This album is pretty much only a dance mix, very repetitive and boring unless you are actually dancing.

Not for the commercialized fan..
This cd is not for fans who listen to Crystal Method on the radio! It is for the fans who go to raves and are into the electronic scene. I for one am quite happy with this cd, since there are no other dj's that I have found that capture this style. I have seen them live twice, once playing a dj set, the other their own music and this cd comes quite close to a real dj set show. Hell they even played red pill at the show I was at. Anyways if you are into the scene and like breakbeats, drum & bass etc... you will absolutely love this album, which I do. The reason I rated it 4 stars instead of 5 is because they did a much better job live, in-terms of song selection and overall feel. This album is a teaser to the real thing, it wets the appetite but never really draws you in fully, something that they are more than capable of. So the moral of the story is: GO SEE THEM LIVE!

...But It's Not Ken & Jordan...
CAUTION!
THIS ISN'T A TRUE TCM CD!

this is a mix cd, and everything a mix cd should be.

it starts out spookily with "No Soul" and doesn't start to get upbeat until the third track, "Breakin' On the Streets". then it drops down again for "Morpheus" and continues to rise and fall throughout.
but once you've heard "...how deep the rabbit-hole goes" for the final time, you know it's solid.

recommended if you like techno (that's a rather big prerequesite), and you should be ready to fall in love with the Method again.

UBER-PHAT DANCE GROOVES
Crystal Method takes up where Prodigy or Orbital left of. This album has the sort of trance/technofunk that one'd love to hear at raves -- gut-quiveringly powerful yet garnished with enough voice and surprises to suggest a spirit in the machine. Stuffed with variety and changes in tempo and dynamics, I expect at least 100 listens before I remove it from my player (assuming that my ears can last that long attached to my head). Shut your eyes, look into the flashing lights, let your body move and hold onto your ears. Great stuff.

Better than TWEAKEND.
Cool disc if you like TCM. Better than TWEAKEND though not as wicked as VEGAS, COMMUNITY SERVICE is a continuous mix of great electronic music with very little vocal disruptions. These guys create the best remixes and are top of the heap in techno. Cool, cool stuff. ... Read more

Amazon.com

To follow up their bombastic 1995 album Exit Planet Dust, the Chemical Brothers fine-tuned their bombastic beats and produced a rock-solid pop album (pun intended). Dig Your Own Hole finds the common ground between rock & roll and techno, both in spirit and substance. Singles like "Block Rockin' Beats," "Elektrobank," and "Setting Sun" (featuring vocals by Oasis's Noel Gallagher) may lack the big hair and pomposity of rock music, but they make up for it in spades, with sampled and real guitars battling for space with sirens and distorted hip-hop drums. The album reeks of pure enthusiasm and energy, evoking a crowd-pleasing exuberance that makes Dig Your Own Hole a Back in Black for the late 1990s. Pure stadium techno. --Matthew Corwine ... Read more

Reviews (107)

Where do I begin?
I enjoy the music on this CD very much. It is primarily a rock 'n roll album featuring repetitive rhythms with a heavy beat supporting tape loops, distorted sounds and occasionally vocals, either natural or modified. A common complaint from those unfamiliar with a genre is that, "all the songs sound the same." Perhaps, your parents were more enlightened, but this is often what mine told me. ;) While this may apply to other CDs of the techno-dance-acid-whatever genre, that generalization is without substance for the Chemical Brothers, in general, and specifically, DIG YOUR OWN HOLE. Please allow me to direct your attention to the first and last tracks. BLOCK ROCKIN' BEATS and THE PRIVATE PSYCHEDELIC REEL are each distinctive and unique from each other, regardless of how similar the basic rhythm structure may appear. BRB is a dynamite dance number driven by the bottom end. The drum carries the beat front and center while the bass provides the requisite bridge between rhythm and melody. The entertaining sounds drive the song forward by maintaining interest. TPPR, on the other hand, is "tripey" piece. The beat is in the upper registers, now, as a synthesized metallic melody works its mesmerizing influence until it is joined by snare and cymbol. TPPR also showcases an interesting treatment on a clarinet played by Jonathan Donahue. Lastly, BRB has lyrics and TPPR doesn't. ;D Comparing the title track with WHERE DO I BEGIN also reveals the range of composition. DYOH is, again, a dancehall number driven by the bottom end. This time, a synthesizer replaces the bass guitar. Interest and tension are maintained by adding and postponing the introduction of new phrases and/or sounds. While DYOH is an aggressive song, WDIB is a delicate, ethereal song. WDIB features Beth Orton, who was awarded the title of Best British Female Vocal for the year 2000, si