I really like the Prodigy and was looking forward to this album when it came out... what could follow the quality sounds of Firestarter and Breathe?
Sadly I was disappointed. This album does contain those two tunes, along with the over-hyped Smack My Bitch Up and a great bit of rapping from Keith out of the Ultramagnetics on Diesel Power.
The rest of the album doesn't live up to these. Serial Thrilla is just annoying, it isn't a patch on any of the tracks on Music For The Jilted Generation. Funky Sh*t is Sh*t, but not funky. Fuel my fire doesn't really, and is as good as the rest of the rubbish that Republica spout. Narayan is alright, especially considering it has Crispian Mills out of Kula Shaker on it, however it is over long. but the rest of the album is nowhere near as good as the singles. I much prefer "Music For The Jilted Generation", which is a far better album. The Fat Of The Land represents a change of direction for the Prodigy, but I don't know if it is for better or for worse. The whole album has the same continuous style to it, which none of the others do. The album is also shorter than all of the others.
The best songs on the album are the singles, Firestarter, Breathe and Smack My Bitch Up. Mindfields is good, but the remix on the Smack My Bitch Up single is much better. Climbatize is a great tune, but again, it starts to drag a bit at the end, although not as badly as Narayan.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I probably would have gone 4*, but a good op. Cheers,
Steve PS. Can you suggest some better Prodigy I should check out?
timmyotoole 29.06.2001 21:51
A very good first opinion. More info. on similar groups and this album in realtion to them might get it up to "Very Helpful". Try reading lots of ops to get your name around and get a feel for writing ops. Cheers, Timmy.
alflavor 29.06.2001 20:58
Good op, not my fave Prod album either, Jilted is the best for me too. New material soon I understand.... Cheers, AL.