Customer Reviews

Fat of the Land

5 star:		(138)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Anyone who experienced the music scene of the Nineties can surely remember The Prodigy as one of the most vivid acts of that decade. After releasing critically-acclaimed albums in the early 1990's such as "Music For The Jilted Generation," the British group went global with 1997's "Fat Of The Land." The hype and build-up for this album was absolutely incredible, having been preceded the year previously with two massive dance anthems which both hit No.1 in the UK and set new records.

The Fat Of The Land arrived in July 1997 like a tidal wave as a staggering 320,000 copies were sold in the UK in its first week (this would be around 1,600,000 if it had sold the same ratio in the US because America's population is five times that of the UK). This figure does pale somewhat in comparison to Oasis' "Be Here Now" which sold 700,000 in 72 hours in the UK alone a month later, but the statistics are still extraordinary; the music scene in the 1990's was like nothing seen since the 1960's, because here was a new generation, open, free, expressing themselves, and buying music in droves. The Prodigy were a part of that most definitely.

The Fat Of The Land boasts ten tracks of fast-paced, hyper, adrenaline-fuelled anthems; a mish mash of Techno, Heavy Metal, Dance and Electronica. Critics were not quite sure what to make of this album, because it was unlike anything that preceded it. Definitely ground-breaking, but not quite a perfect album.

It opens with the deliberately controversial "Smack My Bitch Up." This song had women's rights groups up in arms, and rightly so. The lyrical content is not something I agree with, but the song itself is a masterpiece of hard-hitting techno-driven beats, and the female vocal section in the middle is incredible. The video is also very interesting, with a twist that makes you think about your preconceived notion of men as being evil and greedy pigs. "Breathe" became the band's second UK No.1 in November 1996. This is an amazing song with a hardcore beat and a very heavy chorus. The beats are raw and rough, almost steely with a whip-like rhythm section that scars itself along the intro. "Diesel Power" is a great song that has a foot-stomping beat that crashes through your headphones. With industrial beats crashing all over the bass, this is a very memorable song due to the hip-hop raps. "Funky S**t" is another great song that just blows me away every time I hear it. A lot of people don't seem to like this song, but I really like the way the deep bass is mixed with the static beats that pulsate along, all the way through.

"Serial Thriller" is an amazing song with very industrial beats that sound like sirens at a power plant. This is quite a heavy song that reminds me more of hardcore rock bands than anything, and the vocals are quite brilliant. "Mindfields" is probably my least favourite song on the album, but it's also probably the most electronic song on the album. The beats are rather fuzzy and scattered here which gives this effect. "Narayan" is the longest song on the album at just over nine minutes. The song is very different to anything else on the album because it has a clear and bright beat that just flows through your brain. The song actually features an ancient Hindu prayer towards the end, which is so unusual; to see this hardcore techno-rock song mixed with such a religious statement. Towards the end, the song becomes all mixed up until you can hardly pick it apart, before the beat rises to a climax, and then...

Ah, then comes the real star of the album. It is of course "Firestarter," and it is without a doubt one of the most popular songs in the UK of all time. This song stormed to No.1 in the UK in early 1996 and put the band at the forefront of the British music scene. This song scared grannies, infuriated protective parents, and made millions of teenagers all over the country go crazy with joy! The video to this song has to be seen to be believe, a true classic' the song is dirty, gritty and so anthemic. "Climbatize" is one of my favourite songs on the album, but it doesn't seem to get much recognition. I'm not sure why this is, maybe because it's an instrumental track, but this shouldn't distract from how brilliant it is. The song opens gently with a distant beat that grows heavier and louder until a full rhythm section is dancing and darting its way all over the set. Imagine watching the sun rise as you listen to this, it's amazing. The album closes with "Fuel My Fire," which is a cover version of the L7 original. This song is very heavy and dark and reminds more of the Sex Pistols.

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

And there you have it, an album that was intended for the dance floor, but completely transcends the genre. The music on this album will always be remembered for being completely original and unique, like nothing before it and, because it also now sounds slightly dated, like nothing in the future. Keith Flint would take a further seven years to release the follow-up to this album. Maybe he just couldn't get it right, who knows. This album isn't perfect, and it's certainly not my favourite of 1997; Radiohead's "OK Computer" and Bjork's "Homogenic" run circles around it. It is, still, a great album and one that I feel is worthy of a place on any music lover's shelf, if not for the nostalgia.

Prodigy's music in The Fat of the Land portrays several scapes of electronica wrapped with traces of heavy metal and hip hop breakbeats. This CD shows just how talented Prodigy can really be. It is a complete representation of the mind, body, and soul that can be found in Electronic music.

My personal favorite track on this CD is Climbatize. The song still remains as one of my all time favorites. Climbatize is some INCREDIBLE ambience with luscious melodies that will completely stir all your deepest emotions. Other great songs, such as Smack My Bitch Up, Breathe, and Firestarter are purely meant for the dancing crowd.

Overall, this CD is amazing. You will never find anything like this, ever.

Don't forget to look for the other two Prodigy CDs, Experience and Music For The Jilted Generation. Both CDs are very different styles from Fat of the Land, but still good.

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.

Just when you think an artist can't get any better...they do. Prodigy's music has grown since their time in England's underground techno scene, during which their first album, "Experience", was released. Afterwards, they followed up with "Music For The Jilted Generation", with some of the greatest techno songs ever released on there. This album shows how far Prodigy has come though, and how truly refined their music is. The whole album has the amazing feature of blending so many different styles of music. Hard rock and heavy guitars bring out the energy in "Breathe" and "Fuel My Fire", more defined techno tracks like "Climbatize" and "Mindfields" are present, as well as "Diesel Power", featuring the hip-hop vocals of rapper Kool Keith.

The purer techno sounds make up only a portion of the album, as said before, showing up in "Climbatize" and "Mindfields". "Narayan" is also a wonderfully crafted song, with some great vocals by Crispian Mills adding to the effect. All three of them show the genius writing and mixing of Liam Howlett, the genius behind The Prodigy.

This album also goes to prove that house and dance music isn't dead and still has some hope. "Smack My B**** Up" is a fast-paced, amazingly crafted song with an Indian vocalist by the name of Shahin Bada contributing to the song's stellar performance. Also, "Funky S***", with samples taken from a Beastie Boys song, is a great, faster techno or dance song.

As said before, "Diesel Power" is an amazing song which shows music that Prodigy hasn't dealt with on this level before, which is hip-hop. This song is just proof of how wide Prodigy's music range stretches, as this is a great rap and techno song at the same time.

The two singles from the album, "Breathe" and "Firestarter" are unforgettable. The lyrics are loud, dramatic, and well-written and just go hand-in-hand with the amazing music. This goes for "Serial Thrilla" and the cover of "Fuel My Fire", which features some amazing guitars by Jim Davies.

All in all, this album is nothing short of amazing and is the best techno can really get. I can only hope that Prodigy releases their rumored new album soon, and hope it will be as brilliant as this one.

alot of people bash on techno at my high school and while it bugs me, i find lots of people listening to this album. everyone knows its and loves it. from "smack my bitch up" to "firestarter", the rockers to the rappers love this album as i perosnally like "breathe", "mindfields" and "climatize". this album has not a bad song. while some are better than others, none are bad or worth skipping after the first listen. buy this album and enjoy the dark melodies. its a great album for techno-newbs, because its not so dance music-like and more rock or darker than your average mix. i find it also to not be very repetive as most mainstream techno such as like "fat boy slim". buy this album and you should like it.

I first heard Prodigy in Chicago last year. My buddy and I were going to see Meat Beat Manifesto and we arrivied late. We saw Prodigy. That was the loudest, heaviest, head banging music I have ever heard. My ears were ringing for daze! I loved it! I just recently bought the cd because I have not been getting enough techno in my diet. I bought several cd's and Fat of the Land is by far the deepest bass that will rock your neighborhood. Turn it up and your friends will hear you coming from miles away! I've been told that this music kills more brain cells then mushrooms but has less calories than a Guniess!

I heard one of the songs in a store and *had* to buy the CD. It took a while to find it...but it was so worth it. I immediately recognized a few of them as my regular favorites (I had no idea I was a Prodigy fan) and took to the CD right away.

It's packed with energy and driving beats. It's melodic at sometimes, it's consistant but it's varying, it's just amazing. I find it great for climbing sessions or preparing for a competition (or even tests...whatever happens to be the stressor at the time).

Of all the Prodigy CDs I've now heard, this one is my favorite. I'd strongly recommend it into the repetoire of any techno fan.

Before we begin the review, let's get one thing straight - Liam Howlett is a genius. A genius! Okay, now that we've said that, let's get on with the review.
The Fat of the Land is the title for Prodigy's third album. What we have here is an incredible array of sound and walls of noise from none other than synth master Liam Howlett himself. This man has got rythm down. He knows how to make you move. This is the record that will have you bouncing off the walls. However, this time around, Liam has been wise enough to utilize talents from other people. This means a more vocal, dare we say "rock" oriented approach on several of the songs.
This album sold a lot of copies. It is, to my knowledge, the fastest-selling record of all time.
Why, one might ask, did the record sell so much? Because it's good. Plain and simple. Let's look at some of the songs.
First off, this album, while good musically, has some songs that were controversial. These include the first track, "Smack," and "Firestarter." Say what you will on these songs. "Smack" uses a rap sample from the group Ultramagnetic MC's. "Firestarter" is about Keith Flint and his manic zaniness.
The first track, "Smack," features a propulsive beat, nice bass, nice sound, it's all nice. It's hard and in-your-face. The song breaks down to feature an Indian vocalist. This is a cohesive, memorable track.
The second track, "Breathe," was, to me upon first listen, quite confrontational. It features Maxim (the Prodigy's MC) and Keith Flint on vocals. This song is about drug psychosis. However, you don't need to know that to enjoy it... This one will get you moving. This was one of the two hit singles on this album ("Breathe" and "Firestarter.") The vocals on this song have been likened to the Sex Pistols, and they are somewhat similar. The beat is fast and crazy.
"Diesel Power" is a rap number with, also, a really nice beat, and Kool Keith (also known as Dr. Octagon) on vocals. A nice song, but not quite as memorable to me.
"Funky Sh**" is a fast techno thriller. It has a menacing sound, and includes well-used samples, such as a disco sample.
"Mindfields" is an excellent song with a slightly Japanese feel, a really nice rap sort of beat, and nice electronic effects.
"Narayan" is perhaps one of my favorite songs on this album. It has Crispian Mills, from the band Kula Shaker, on vocals, but the charm of this song lies in Liam Howlett's production and orchestration. This is an Eastern sounding number, but it's really quite hard-hitting... It even has a spooky piano line, and the whole thing sounds kind of emotional. At some points in the track you feel like you are being sonically whipped. Mind-bending.
And then there's "Firestarter," a stomper and burner of a track, with Keith Flint's manic British accent vocal delivery. Has a good beat, good guitar, good vocals. A good cohesive track. This was the second of the two hit singles.
Climbatize was the last song Liam made for the album. It's an instrumental track, with a Middle Eastern feel. It's good, but not one of my favorites. They played it on the commercial for the Tomb Raider movie...
The album ends on somewhat of a surprise note - a cover of an L7 song. This song is very "thrashy," and almost purely rock. It has electronic effects, but is in essense a thrash rock song. So-so. My sister liked it.
In my opinion, about the only thing this album has against it, and what keeps me from listening to it as much as Music for the Jilted Generation (Prodigy's second album) is the lack of variety in it. Some of the songs can sound a little too similar, even though they are all good. Also, the album as a whole is pretty hard-hitting, and maybe could have used a few "breathers," as well. After a while it may begin to grate on you.
However, despite the harsh, urban, underground, hardcore feel of the album, there lies a beauty in it, a deep beauty, and one that has stayed with me and not left me. A lot of work went into this album, and it shows. When I put the cd into the cd player and let it play, it's pure sonic bliss. In fact, often just by putting it in, I find I may end up listening to the whole album - it's that cohesive. Each track is well-made, and they fit together and flow nicely.
My second favorite Prodigy album, after Music for the Jilted Generation. Excellent production. If you like rock, chances are you will like this album. If you like a variety of music, such as rock and hip hop, chances are even higher that you will like it.

I'm one of the few people in the world who really views a review of five out of five stars to be a work of perfection. Well, let me break the news to you this way: The Fat of the Land is not perfect. However, nonperfection means that the record can still be very very good: it is.

I won't bother rehashing the familiar reviews, critiques, and prises of an album nearly eight years old. I will, however, add my take on a song that VERY few people have mentioned: Narayan. Narayan is an opus that delivers what I believe to be the perfect touch to one of my favorite albums of all time. On a CD immersed in dance-heavy beats and power chords, Narayan is a breath of fresh air. The Prodigy incorporated aspects of musical taste completely unlike anything else on the album while lacing it with a Hindu theme in the chanting. Yes, it is a Hindu prayer at the end of the song.

I feel as though this song really makes the difference between an above-average CD to one that still makes a frequent visit to my rotation after years of use. Do yourself a favor and pick up The Fat of the Land.

I mean I'm usually a more casual listener of techno and hardly ever seriously get into the music or.. even remember it. Though in this case I found myself humming/whistling the tunes to these songs. I was instantly hooked by these tunes and never have I been this addicted to a techno CD...ever. I mean "Breathe" is worth the price of this CD alone. So in closing, if you're a big techno fan you must own this CD and if you're a casual listener..you must own this CD as well. Trust me you won't regret a dime spent on this masterpiece.