Customer Reviews

Experience Expanded

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a new Prodigy release but it is by NO means new material. The nerve of some people to write such lengthy evaluations of something they are obviously clueless about. Anyway, this is a re-release of Prodigy's first album, which is actually my favorite. It's an excellent representation of British 'ardkore rave in the early nineties, in particular the chart-topping crossover stuff that still managed to live up to the 'hardcore' tag. It's a classic sound, far superior to all the overhyped trance/progressive drivel that's currently in vogue, and also represents the Prodigy at their most hedonistic and euphoric. This was what they were best at, and Experience is one of the *only* full-length collections, not to mention artist albums, of this stuff that's totally worth listening to. All good reasons to purchase this album, but for existing Prodigy fans, the real treat is the second cd of b-sides and remixes, almost all of which have only been available on full-priced import singles. Also, the whole album's been remastered. Go for it. Knowing Liam, the new album won't be out for a good while.

I was late getting onto The Prodigy. While I got hooked onto their later work, I went back and grabbed their older works, starting with Music for the Jilted Generation, and now The Prodigy Experience. I'd have to say they've actually gotten worse over time. This is one of my favorite albums ever, of any genre. There's just too much to like - great beats, high energy, and bonus content thanks to the Expanded version. I wish Prodigy made music today like they did back then.

I've had "Fat of the Land" since about 1998 and always thought it was a good album but it never held my attention that much. Just on a whim the other day I saw this CD, and thought it might be a good purchase.

I was so right. The album is absolutely incredible - so different to Fat of the Land it's untrue. It's so much more drum'n'bass/breakbeat oriented - the band sounded so much different in the early 90's to the way they did later on.

I've not heard Music for the Jilted Generation, but I can assure it's going to be on the list for trial now I've heard this. If you like your D'n'B and you don't get this album, you want your head testing.

It amazes me how many people are so out of the loop, thinking that this is a "new release" and comparing it to "Fat of the Land" (Prodigy's lamest effort). The Prodigy Experience is one of the greatest and most forward looking albums in the genre, considering that its songs were released in 1991 (making this release, boys and girls, a remastered "re-release"). It is a true classic and a must have for anyone into banging beats who love to get down and dance! If you've been a Prodigy fan for a while, you'll definitely apprecite the 2nd CD which includes some fine remixes!

I'll admit that I got "Experience" expecting something along the lines of "The Fat Of The Land", and although it's completely different it's still very good. This is the kind of album that will grow on you - I didn't like it at all at first (because I was expecting another "Firestarter" or "Breathe"), but after a while you it grows on you. You start to appreciate the complexity and energy of the music, and it definitely has much of both. It's a rave album first and foremost, but they add so many other interesting elements to the mix that make the songs worthy of both analyzation and of your club or party mix. Rave music that's both fun and creative is indeed a rarity. Every song here is great, but none of them are necessarily memorable or strike you as instantly great like most of the songs on "The Fat Of The Land", but patient listeners won't mind. As is usual with these kinds of albums the electronic blips and bleeps defy description and thus one must simply hear it to get the picture. Overall I think it's a fascinating album that most won't like at first, but if they give it time then it will probably become one of their favorites! Absolutely recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

This is The Prodigy's first album, originally released in 1992. So, it's bound to sound different to those of you used to Fat of the Land. The bonus CD features remixes and tracks that are available on the singles, so if you have been an avid follower of The Prodigy from the begginning and have the singles (like me) then you would have no reason to buy this. However, if you lack the singles, and/or you do not have the Experience album, then this is a must buy. I give this four stars because, at the end of the day, it's a fantastic album, and the bonus CD is a must-have for anyone who has only just jumped onto the Prodigy bandwagon.

After entering the electro. music scene in mid 97" one of my first musical endevors was Prodigy. I remember going to my local music store to buy "Fat of the land", as luck would have it they were sold out. The cute little Kandy raver chic behind the counter was kind enough to inform me that "The Experience" was a much better album, two hours later I was able to take her word for it. Liam is one of the most underated producers in the elctronic music scene. His use of keyboards has a way of giving each track a more human touch, giving the music much more soul then unwavering machine loops can create. "Out of space" IMHO is one of the best Techno tracks in existance, Its a classic and reason enough to get this CD. The synth bass and drum loops sound a bit dated and the whole CD seems a bit more low fidelity the most of todays studio albums. Prodigy bass is harsh and always distorted to some degree. The gain on the amp. driving the two 10" subs in my car requires a lot of attention. Constant adjustment is needed to keep the already clipped bass signals from ripping my speakers apart. Small SQ. gripes aside this is a esential CD for anyone into all different genres of Electronic Music.

I was surprised to find a couple of very good songs by The Prodigy on an Urbal Beats Compilation. I immediately bought this double CD and it's one of my favorite rave CDs I own. This isn't the more industrial punk sounding stuff that they became famous for. This is the first album and an excellent remix CD. The music is energetic, brilliant and the only CD I'm aware of that they did before changing their style. They became famous for their hard style of music. This music is just as hard but with almost no vocals. Just hard charging energy. If your looking for their stuff that's more in the vein of Ministry or the Revolting Cocks, then you should buy anything by them except this album. If you are looking for some very good, very energetic, hard techno, this album will be one of your favorites.All the power and energy of DJ Irene but with a totally different style.

I had bought Fat of the Land back when it first came out and loved it, but I never really got to buying the rest of the Prodigy's albums. Finally, Amazon.com had this reissue as one of its featured recommendations, and I decided to give it a try. All I have to say is that was a really good move on my part.

This first thing I thought when listening to this disk was, "Wow, the instruments on this album haven't aged well at all." And that is true...a lot of the sound seems dated. But the second thing I thought when listening to this album was that the beats sound just as good, if not better, than anything being put out today. Talk about some crazy dance beats. Everything about this album is supercharged. Let's just say that this album hasn't strayed far from my cd player since I bought it.

Of course, what's new about this reissue is that there is a bonus disk featuring B-sides and remixes not on the original album. Expanded is just about as great as the Experience disk, with the only problem being that the songs don't flow together like on Experience. Otherwise, there is some great stuff on that disk.

All and all, a five star purchase. I could see some of these songs being played on the club floor today, and no one would be the wiser because they would be too busy trying to keep up with the killer beat. Yes, the instruments sound a little dated, but the music shall remain timeless. If you are a Prodigy fan, you already know this. I you think you might be a Prodigy fan, pick up this album and you will know you are a Prodigy fan. Great stuff!

The music on this CD was the most raw, energetic and exciting music I had ever heard when these tracks were first released some 10 years ago! This music completely altered my taste in music and opened me up to a whole new genre that would inspire everything from Happy Hardcore to Drum 'n' Bass to Big Beat (even Florida Breaks). These tracks, along with the early releases from Reinforced, Suburban Base, Production House, Kickin', Moving Shadow and Shut Up & Dance represent the most exciting period in UK rave music in my opinion. Every one of them was an anthem on the UK rave circuit in 1991-1992!

Although I have the original Everybody in the Place 12" EP and every other song on this double CD, I still plan to buy the album. Simply put, this is a must have for all fans of early UK Hardcore Breakbeat. I only wish that Prodigy's first XL Recordings EP (What Evil Lurks) was included on this compilation.