Customer Reviews

Palookaville [Limited Edition with Free Astralwerks Sampler]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Whenever I have a strong opinion, I'm usually wrong. And it's my loss. Being opinionated only gets in the way of a good time. I guess I'm Amazon-confessing this because there was a period in my life where I was a hard-core jazz and blues fan, and I looked down upon techno, or trance or house or however you choose to label it. My bias was towards live music.

I liked improvisation, still do, and I had the preconceived notion that the highest form of musical art was spontaneous musical communication. Techno is on the other end of spectrum, the music is mapped out, planned, composed. But, when the music takes hold of you, it ultimately doesn't matter how it was created. The sounds matters, and how you respond to it matters.

I learned that driving up Boulder Canyon in the summer of '97 and hearing the Rockafeller Skank for the first time. I liked it five seconds into it, I cranked it up, and I couldn't deny the ecstasy. My mountain drive instantly converted into a rapturous video game. I know this isn't cool, but I can admit to you, since we're friends, the only other time I liked a song that quickly was Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire. Let's be fair, it may be hard to imagine now, that was the winter of 1989, I had grown up in the suburbs, and everybody was a Billy Joel fan back then. Anyway, my point is, I've been a Fat Boy Slim fan ever since I heard that famous Rockafeller hook, and it nudged me on my way to overcoming my knee-jerk musical snobbery.

The beats vibrate a certain part of my consciousness, I can slip into a hypnotic state, but then things change up, vibrating a different part of my consciousness. Then Fat Boy turns up the intensity, the two regions start bouncing energy back and forth, the humming and tug-of-war snaps opens those doors, the old clichéd doors, you know what I'm talking about. Consciousness is expanded. Catecholimines flow. Chi courses through meridians. Shakras ignite. The reaction is real, it can't be repressed, it can't be denied, and once you've had a taste, you can't be deprived.

Palookaville isn't classic Fat Boy Slim. As others have commented in these reviews, it is more hip-hop than techno, and it's great. Who can argue the simplistic brilliance of the libretto:

Girl I want it you got it
Your body's like a narcotic
The thought is auto-erotic

Pure Id. Not even a dewdrop of Ego or Superego on display. And it feels good. Live improvised music is still great, the very fact of your presence makes you a participant, Ohm-Ohm-mMm-ing and collaborating in the act of Creation creating. And it doesn't diminish that experience one bit to enjoy studio music composed with painstaking precision. Futhermore, electronic music is not encumbered by the limits of having to use the sounds one person can get out of one instrument at one moment in time. But I don't have to tell you this, you already know. I'm the idiot, right? But it's a good reminder because we all do this in all different ways throughout our lives. Once we've attached to our identities, there is a constant entropy of the consciousness, a momentum to narrow, to fine-tune and refine our own plane through the collective consciousness, oblivious to the richness of the dimensions above and below.

Anytime we view things in the context of a genre or label, whether we're talking about music, movies, books, people, clans, states, or nations, we're betraying a lack of sophistication in our tastes, or a lack of developmental maturity in our intellect. Was that a little heavy-handed? Was that a little off the point?

In a nutshell: Thumbs up, buy this album. Can be enjoyed straight but also goes well with tranquilizers or stimulants (but please, please, always consult a doctor before abusing substances). Thank you for listening, bye bye.

Palookaville is a great cd. However, it's obvious that Norman Cook is changing his style. Fans of the older (but wonderful) cds like You've Come a Long Way, Baby, might not enjoy this if you're expecting more of the same. There are a lot more mellow tracks and fewer "get up and dance" tracks.

When I'm in a jumpy, happy mood, I'll turn on "It's a Wonderful Night." It's got a catchy, bouncy tune, and some cool lyrics. When I'm in a more somber mood, I turn on "North West Three" or "Long Way from Home." There is some repetitiveness in some songs, but I personally enjoy it. "Slashdot" is fast, and very repetitive, but it's also the shortest song on the CD (around 2:30 minutes).

I'd recommend listening to the song samples wherever you can find them before you purchase this cd. It's not a perfect cd, hence the 4 out of 5 stars, but it is wonderful if you can accept a new style of Norman Cook. Some of the good old Norman Cook is still there, but it's obvious that he's trying a broader range of ideas. I also liked Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars, but I believe Palookaville is better.

...okay, this is my first review on Amazon. I've read tons of them, and own quite a bit of music, covering many genres. So, why was I compelled to write a review of this album? Because this is not a 3-star album.....no, I'm gonna call it 4.5....not quite a 5 (which equates to a classic in my book)....I think every track should be stellar for an album to be rated 5 stars, but this one is close.

First of all, keep in mind that electronic/dance/whicheverofthe50namesinthegenreyouprefer is not my main preference in music. However, I do appreciate good beats and phat bass lines.....and really dig this kind of music when it gets creative, melodic, and funky. And that's what the slim fatboy does here. You're not gonna get a formulaic album of club /rave songs. Which is probably why I like it so much.

What you will get is a slightly eclectic mix of great songs, with plenty of danceable beats, but this is more of a party album....you know.....a nod your head, shake your booty a bit with a drink in your hand and a smile on your face kind of groove. As opposed to dance yourself sweaty in big room with a light show while you ride the E train kind of groove. A lot of the beats lean towards hip hop, and all are accompanied by catchy samples, loops, vocals, and riffs that will stay in your mind and have you nodding to the music in your head hours after a listen. Exactly what I would hope for in a Fatboy Slim album.

I won't get into every track, but will call out some of my favorites - "Put it Back Together" and "The Journey" both feature guest vocalists and guitar riffs and slower hip hop beats....excellent songs, including the lyrics; probably my two favorites. "Don't Let the Man" is a great start to the album.....trademark Fatboy bass line, cowbells, and a repeating sample from the song "Signs" (Five Man Electrical Band?). "The Joker" is a funky remix version of the familiar classic - you gotta love Bootsy Collins' "shizzle my nizzle dizzle"..."Wonderful Night" is an upbeat gem, I dig Lateef on both tracks...not familiar with him, but I will be. "Push and Shove" has a nice guitar lick and driving bass line, but I think an edgier vocal would be a better match, especially when the reverb kicks in. I love the refrain on "Long Way From Home", just would like to get to it a little sooner.

Bottom line, Mr. Cook his given us another GEM.....easily stands next to "You've Come A Long Way, Baby".....different, but every bit as good. If you appreciate creativity, originality, musicianship and hooks....then get this album, you'll love it. If you prefer the type of songs or mixes you expect to hear at a rave, check out some samples first, then mix with ice and your beverage of choice, and enjoy.

Cook gave plenty of indication in press releases that this record would be different from the norm. He's declared a renewed interest in hip-hop over dance music, dance being a genre that is going through a dry spell. I couldn't agree more with Cook. Trip-hop and hip-hop DJs with inventive turntablism have dominated my techno section in my CD case since the "The Rockafeller Skank" days. Cook has great instincts when it comes to his studio albums. None of his studio efforts sound near the same, and "Palookaville" is no exception. Fatboy mixes up a unique set of hip-hop fueled gems that stands on it's own in his discography.

Some of the best tracks include "Don't Let the Man Get You Down," "Wonderful Tonight," "Put It Back Together" featuring Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), "Mi Bebé Masoquista," and my personal favorite "North West Three". Fatboy delivers a cohesive well rounded album. There's only one dud on the album, and that is "Slash Dot Dash". I was amazed to see the video for this song on the front page of Fatboy Slim's official web page. It features the most nauseating, repetitive and annoying sample I've ever heard in a Fatboy Slim song. It's definitely a skipper. I'm also not to wild about the cover of Steve Miller's "The Joker" featuring Bootsy Collins. It doesn't do the original much justice.

All and all, Cook does a great job with "Palookaville". It has some longtime listening value to it. It may not be as groundbreaking as his first three studio efforts, but I have to give him props for once again, changing it up completely, which is truly refreshing.

Fatboy Slim was great in the late 90's with his dance tracks and samples and silly loops, but that was then. Even the House music age is over, and Norman Cook has recognized this and has put together a great new collection of just plain music. The rhymes and singing of Lateef, Damon Albarn and Fatboy-alum Bootsy Collins fit right in with the hip-hop, laid-back feel of this album. My favorites include: "Don't Let The Man Get You Down" (featuring a little old school sampling and looping), "Wonderful Night" (with Lateef on Vocals), "Mi Bebe Masoquista" (Great beat), "North West Three" (good song to just chill to, much like the entire album), and "The Journey" (again with Lateef). The others like "Slash Dot Dash" and "The Joker" aren't bad, but they aren't my favorites and I usually skip over them.

This album is great for Fatboy Slim fans looking for something different and who are ready to progress with the times. If you're looking for more "Rockafeller Skank" then you won't find much of that here.

Buy this album expecting a unique, relaxing, yet fun experience.

I've always been a big admirer of Fatboy Slim. His song "Praise You" was my first encounter with the techno genre, which, in turn, got me interested in artists like Moby, The Chemical Brothers, Propellerheads, Aphex Twin, Air, and tons more. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" was a brilliant album, with Norman Cook turning phrases like "Right about now, the funk soul brother" into instruments, bending them around, turning them inside out, and remixing them to his heart's content. "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars" was his transistion album, where we saw him trying new ideas like making an entire song around a Jim Morrison sample or employing special guests like Macy Gray and Bootsy Collins.

Now we have "Palookaville," an album that could've been his best if it wasn't bogged down with a few throwaways. It honestly feels like a singles collection, with songs like "Slash Dot Dash" and "Mi Bebé Masoquista" playing the roles of unreleased b-sides (I thought "Don't Let the Man Get You Down" was a b-side when it appeared on the SSX 3 soundtrack). The guest spots aren't as good as "Weapon of Choice" or "Demons" off "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars," with the notable exception of "Put it Back Together," a brilliant collaboration with Damon Albarn which honestly sounds like the second coming of the Gorillaz. Lateef keeps things interesting by appearing twice on the album, the first on the funky little number "Wonderful Night" and the second on a laid-back beach tune "The Journey". The best track, hands down, is "North West Three," a song that enters your brain and refuses to leave until you succumb to its incessant catchiness. The album ends on an interesting note, with "Jin Go Lo Ba" mimicking "Slash Dot Dash"'s non-stop wordplay, but with better results. "Song for Chesh" sounds like Slim took all the leftover samples he wasn't able to use and put them in a song, hardly a mind-blowing ending like "Song for Shelter" or "Acid 8000". Then, as a bonus track of sorts, Fatboy Slim collaborates once again with Bootsy Collins on a cover of Steve Miller's "The Joker," which, because it's Bootsy Collins, it's a naturally off-the-wall, over-the-top production.

All in all, "Palookaville" is a pretty safe bet for Fatboy fans, but newcomers might want to pick up "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" before listening to this. Trust me; it's worth it.

It sounds like there was a good album in "Palookaville" just trying to get out, but it never quite materializes. The problem is that although Mr. Slim is capable of coming up with some catchy hooks and beats, he is also intent on clinging to a tired old formula that has become grating and repetitive.

For an example of this formula, look no further than the first two tracks of Palookaville: the Fatboy just sets a meaningless vocal sample to a beat and repeats it over and over again until you're ready to tear your ears off to end the painful banality. Fortunately, the middle section of the album picks up and shows signs of solid songwriting, welcome guest vocals, and truly catchy material that fades out before it overstays its welcome. A stronger focus on this approach could've saved the album, but alas, the disc ends with a trio of songs that plunge us back into ingratiating repetition and a really awful cover of a Steve Miller song.

Fatboy Slim at least demonstrates here that he can craft a good pop song if he puts his mind to it. Now if only he could keep it up for a whole album and ditch the lazy filler material we might have a winner on our hands.

After picking up my copy of "You've Come a Long Way", upon its release, Norman Cook became the reason why I became interested in techno and music in general. Though I personally thought "Halfway Between" didn't capture Norm's signature style as well as his 1st or 2nd album, Palookaville caught my ear. Though it does lack as much flippin-out-goin-crazy-and-havin-a-good-time kind of music that defined YCLW, it still has the feel good appeal. That's what I think makes Fatboy. And so, I say I enjoyed this album, and would recommend it to anyone into the feel good appeal of Norman Cook.

After its growing popularity, with tracks such as Wonderful Night, Slash Dot Dash, & The Joker, Palookaville has made a magnificent accomplishment after his previous album. This album would definitely be the type you'd hear on the beaches of Florida or in the big cities, again, making its accomplishment world wide. It starts off with a nice easy track (Don't Let The Man Get You Down) and instead of ending with The Joker, you get two bonus tracks (What They're Looking For & Close To Home) which are a great listen. The Bonus CD is a treasure as it contains remixes for Wonderful Night and Slash Dot Dash. Also contains a remix for Jin Go Lo Ba and The Joker, plus the Accoustic version of Push and Shove. Not only do you have the Limited Edition version of Palookaville, but you also don't have to buy the Wonderful Night single or Slash Dot Dash single as it's all right in this version of the album. Five stars.

Like a lot of people (critics AND fans alike), I didn't like Fatboy Slim's third studio album Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars except for, of course, "Weapon of Choice". But I decided to give him another chance when I discovered that Palookaville was out.

Now, as other reviewers have been mentioning, this album has more of a hip-hop-flavored feel, which may be a little overpowering if not taken lightly. Some fans don't seem to like that, but I still think there are some nice tracks on here. "Song For Chesh" is a nice instrumental, and "Long Way From Home" contains some pretty unique sounds. And one of my favorites is a song that other people don't seem to like, "Slash Dot Dash".

Other good songs are "Mi Bebé Masoquista" and my personal favorite, the old-school-soul-sounding "Put It Back Together". And Bootsy Collins shows up once again for a nice cover of Steve Miller Band's "The Joker". Another good song is "Wonderful Night", which features help from a singer/rapper named Lateef. But sometimes his rhymes can get a little corny, like in the otherwise outstanding "The Journey" (it's not cool to still be saying "I'm so `bout it, `bout it", man).

My only other real concern is that "Jin Go Lo Ba" claims to be a sample, when really Fatboy lifted the whole song. Basically, Palookaville will still make you dance, but it might not necessarily make you want to jump up and dance; thus, it isn't quite as memorable as his landmark album You've Come a Long Way, Baby. But it's still quality music, so you really shouldn't object to picking it up.

Anthony Rupert