This site has simply become the extension of someones marketing department. Think about that.
This site has simply become the extension of someones marketing department. Think about that.
Member since:15.11.2000
Reviews:101
Members who trust:63
I can't help thinking that Leftfield could have just released 74 minutes of white noise as their second album and it would still have been hailed as genius after the techno/dub monster that was 'Leftism'.
The main problem with this album is that it's just not original enough anymore. Unfortunatly for Leftfield, they waited so long between albums and their first album was so influential, that there are now plenty of other people doing this kind of music who do it a lot better. Taken in isolation this album is pretty good but even tunes like 'Phat Planet' (that one from the guiness advert with the surfers) just sound like an over produced Aphex Twin B-side. Don't get me wrong, i think it's a good tune but i can't help thinking that the only reason that people go on about it all the time is because 90% of those who bought Leftism have never really heard any other grinding experimental electronic music.
Rhythm&Stealth still has all the classic Leftfield electronic dub sounds but i would say that it's a much darker album than Leftism. Whether this is a deliberate thing or it's just been over produced until it sounds big and empty i don't know but there does seem to be a certain lack of incidental wibbling and sounds to keep the tunes interesting. As a result i tend to get pretty bored of listening to this after about 6 tracks.
The standout tunes on the album are the previously mentioned Phat Planet, Afrika Shok (the other single from the album) and 6/8 War. Afrika Shok is a driving slab of breakbeat techno with amazing question and answer vocoder vocals while 6/8 War isn't really anything very special but i love the way that the chunky percussion seems to fall over itself with some kind of wierd groove. Unfortunatly thats all that happens in the tune so it's a blessing that it's fairly short.
These standout tunes are placed between some very average breakbeat/dub tracks that are really nothing special. People like Alter Ego and Andy Weatheral have been doing this kind of stuff for years and Leftfield haven't taken it any further.
All in all this was a disappointing album for me but i suppose it was inevitable in some respects after Leftism. If you want to listen to this kind of stuff then this album is an above average release but i would recommend going elsewhere first.
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Commendably brief and to the point. I’ve drowned in the ops of some writers who insist on coming as close as possible to the 5k word count while having little of interest to say. In this case the album is in the main unremarkable and thus not really worthy of a detailed review of every track so I’m more than happy with your decision to give an overview of the sleep inducing ones.
Rabidsquirrel 27.09.2001 23:23
What can I say? I personally find it hard to agree with your op at all. Yes, it is a darker album than Leftism. Yes, it isn't quite as good as Leftism. But then, what is? Perhaps the reason that you dislike this album so much is because of the lack of melodies in it. But that simply shows a change in direction, not necessarily a deterioration in quality. Leftfield were clearly not attempting to create a commercial record for their 2nd album, and that is probably what makes it not quite as accessible as their first album. But give it time, and the album does grow on you.
VincentM-M 05.09.2001 00:09
Sounds like a classic case of not being able to live up to your own hype. I love Leftism, but i probably won't buy this now. thanks mate, VMm
Advantages: An astonishingly diverse album, expanding their genre in fascinating new ways. Disadvantages: Releasing "One More Time" as the first single has made their audience a little cynical.
SkyscraperFanClub 23.03.2001 ·
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Jun 19th, 2001
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