September 09, 2004 | Posted by blair at 12:58 PM

I am the god of hellfire, and I bring you...

fire

"Fire (Sunrise Version)" by The Prodigy -- OK, now I know we've been talking up a lot of totally indie bands lately, but I'm gonna have to put up at least one thing here that was wicked-popular for a hot second, C. 1992, and that's the Prodigy (AKA producer Liam Howlett) at their early, filthy-raving peak. (This point could be argued for a while as the Prodigy's sound has changed quite a lot over time, and their new, the 4th full-length, album, Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned, out next week in the US, is again another creative leap for them.) This was a super-duper summer-hit, back when the British rave scene was still viable, two years before the rave-killing Criminal Justice Act took place, which (among many other things) outlawed groups of "100 or more people playing amplified music characterised by a succession of repetitive beats" - the single and album were officially released in September of 92, and they took over the charts. The Prodigy have since had over a dozen consecutive singles in the UK Top 20. This single was a huge hit, no doubt about it, as was the album it appeared on, Experience (which is now available in an expanded edition with ten tracks of different mixes and b-sides). If, like me, you have a soft spot for this crazy hardcore rave music - regardless of whether you heard this first-hand standing out in a field, or discovered it in the mid-90s like I did, I strongly reccomend picking up Experience Expanded as well as Music For The Jilted Generation - also, do check out the new album, as I think its a step in the right direction - their 3rd album, the Fat of the Land was their biggest hit here in the US, but listening to it now, it seems more dated to me than the old ravey stuff - also, explore their official site - it is quite well done, and, among other things, has a hot demo of a new song.

Comments

Their album may be a "step in the right direction" but it still sucks. :)

The first two albums are great, of course.

I AM THE GOD HELLFIRE!!! AND I BRING YOU!!!

=darwin

Posted by: Darwin at September 9, 2004 04:06 PM

Hardcore will never die!
Wind It Up into Your Love on Experience still gives me a rush.

Posted by: diccon at September 10, 2004 05:15 AM

their new, the 4th full-length, album, Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned, out next week in the US, is again another creative leap for them.)

Creative leap right off a cliff...

Posted by: Keith TTIKTDA at September 10, 2004 07:30 AM

NB: again another creative leap for them.

I didn't say it was a good leap, just further different from their earlier sound - I think its a good thing for a band to keep experimenting with their sound, and though I personally don't like the sound they're going with all that much (exception being the instrumental demo song on the site), I appreciate their efforts.

Posted by: robot blair at September 10, 2004 10:17 AM

re: the criminal justice act, one of my favorite responses was Autechre's "anti" ep ::
http://www.antinomian.com/archives/000210.shtml

"Warning: [The first two tracks] contain repetitive beats. We advise you not to play these tracks, if the Criminal Justice Bill becomes law. Flutter has been programmed in such a way that no bars contain identical beats and can therefore be played at 45 or 33 revolutions under the proposed law. Howeve we advise DJs to have a lawyer and musicologist present at all times to confirm the non repetitive of the music in the event of police harrasment.
Important: By breaking this seal, you accept full responsibilty for any consequential action resulting from the products use, as playing the music contained within these recordings may be interpreted as oppostion to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill."

also, "flutter" fucking owns.

Posted by: at September 10, 2004 10:23 AM
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