Hi to your all!
Love my books, love my movies and I look forward to writing more reviews on them!
Hi to your all!
Love my books, love my movies and I look forward to writing more reviews on them!
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:11
This is a much more satisfying record than Fatboy Slim's previous album. Whereas about a third of the songs on 'You've come a long way baby' simply sounded loud and repetitive, every track on 'Halfway between the gutter and the stars' is good.
The loudness is still there, but a manifest hip-hop influence gives this album a much more relaxed over all groove. Reviews in magazines and at other web sites cite Norman Cook's marriage and fatherhood as the reason for this more 'mature' sound. It certainly does seem that he has calmed down somewhat since his last offering.
All songs stand up well on their own, but this album is much better enjoyed if played all the way through since the tracks are blended together nicely. The strong piano introduction and almost screaming vocals of 'Talking bout my baby' gets things off to an attention grabbing start.
It is interesting that the Jim Morrison sample 'Bird of Prey' was the first single to be released because I actually think it’s the weakest track on the album! My favourite songs are the two collaborations with Macy Gray - the wonderfully gospel-like 'Demons' (another single of course) and the funky and laid back 'Love life'.
Another of the tracks that I was taken with on the first few playings was the infectious 'Weapon of choice'. This will be the next song from the album to be released as a single - watch out for the excellent video (directed by Spike Jonze, responsible for the movie 'Being John Malkovich' and, famously, a previous Fatboy Slim video 'Praise you') featuring a jiving Christopher Walken!
Those who loved 'You've come a long way baby' might find 'Halfway between the gutter and the stars' with its slightly more refined sound, something of an acquired taste. Nevertheless, I'm sure they would enjoy 'Ya Mama' and 'Mad Flava' - two songs that deserve to be played loud! A more impressive album than its predecessor, containing an appealing variety of beats and tempos, I recommend this as one of the more original and alternative offerings available at the moment.
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Good review, I migth copy this CD off someone. I doubt if I'll like the collaborations with Marge Simpson though.
ClangerWrangler 13.04.2001 12:18
A great op. I didn't buy this album because I found "You've Come a Long Way Baby" to be an annoying, loud and repetitive album, with "Praise You" being the only song I really enjoyed. It sounds as though this album is far more laid back though, so I might well give it a try. Thanks, Jonny.
Fatboy Slim has come a long way since his debut album,Better Living Through Chemistry, saw ... more
him bring big beat to the masses. His first offering of the new millennium,Halfway Between the Gutter and the Starswas his most ambitious project to date. Marrie...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Fatboy Slim has come a long way since his debut album, Better Living Through Chemistry, ... more
saw him bring big beat to the masses. His first offering of the new millennium, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars was his most ambitious project to date. Mar...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Fatboy Slim has come a long way since his debut album,Better Living Through Chemistry, saw ... more
him bring big beat to the masses. His first offering of the new millennium,Halfway Between the Gutter and the Starswas his most ambitious project to date. Marrie...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Fatboy Slim has come a long way since his debut album, Better Living Through Chemistry, ... more
saw him bring big beat to the masses. His first offering of the new millennium, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars was his most ambitious project to date. Mar...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Fatboy Slim has come a long way since his debut album, Better Living Through Chemistry, ... more
saw him bring big beat to the masses. His first offering of the new millennium, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars was his most ambitious project to date. Mar...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...