Underworld - 1992-2002
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Free Music Notes for 1992-2002
Free Music Review: Oh, electronica
Hit: 5 Stars
Was it back in 1997 that the useless music press tried to tell America that 'electronica' was The Next Big Thing? When U2 dabbled in 'electronica' with POP (uh, they really didn't) and the blippety OK Computer became the album to fawn over?Well, it never really swept America (rap and hip hop are too powerful) but 'electronica', or whatever you prefer to call it, swept Europe and other parts and snagged plenty of listeners in the States.
We've come far enough now for Orbital, Moby, the Chemical Brothers, and now Underworld (to name a few big names) to release greatest hits packages.
Truth be told, Underworld certainly holds up, despite losing Darren Emerson before A Hundred Days Off. Like the Chemical Brothers singles collection, this double disc set smartly throws in rare tracks and mixes not easily available anywhere else in order to make it worthwhile for fans who already own the albums (and the singles).
I don't think Rez was available on any singles, but a version of it did appear on a compilation called Logic Trance 2 from 1995. Moaner appeared only on the Batman and Robin soundtrack from 1997, and 8 Ball appeared only on The Beach soundtrack. Shame there's only one song from Second Toughest on here (Pearl's Girl); greatest hits packages often work to overshadow great efforts on albums that didn't produce many 'singles' per se.
Like the Chemical Brothers collection, this is reasonably priced for a double disc set, making it just about acceptable to plunk down cash for even though you own the albums.
Sometimes a greatest hits package signals some kind of impasse in a band's career. It's likely that the biggest days of 'electronica' have come and gone, but for those not interested in ridiculous music fads and 'hot' acts, this is a nice collection.
Recommended for Underworld fans and curious electronic music folks.
Free Music Review: Excellent
Hit: 5 Stars
I like this anthology for a few reasons. You get a few tracks that are hard to get or unreleased (Bigmouth, Dirty, Spikee, 8 Ball) and a few that are popular but haven't been on a studio release (Dark and Long Dark Train, Rez, even Born Slippy .NUXX). Of course, all their important works, such as Cowgirl, Two Months Off, Pearl's Girl and what not, are still there. I'd recommend this for not only Underworld fans, but those who are looking to start listening to dance/techno music, as this collection is actually a lot better than most of the Techno sets that I've heard (which is probably why Underworld is the only techno act I'm really a fan of). I love it how each song is in it's full version - the first disc is packed and there's only 7 tracks on it! Of course, the second disc is where you get the hits, and due to some of the relatively short times on some of Beacoup Fish's tracks (7 minutes, which is short for them) there's 9 tracks there.My only complaint would be this; there's too many tracks from Beacoup Fish. Push Upstairs, King of Snake, Jumbo and Moaner...were they all necessary? I'd say that Second Toughest was just as good that there's only one track from there...then again, Pearl's Girl is about the only track that would sound as good from outside the album. However, I think that A Hundred Days Off is better than both of those, and that's only got one song from it too. It's weird that "Dinosaur Adventure 3D", didn't make the cut in front of Moaner or even Jumbo (which is still my favorite track off Beacoup Fish, but it didn't seem too necessary here).
Besides Dinosaur Adventure not being on it, it's still an excellent release. Everyone ought to own this, if only for the first track, "Bigmouth". It seems out of flavor for Underworld, but it's just as unique as any of their stuff.
Free Music Review: Another World
Hit: 5 Stars
Underworld deserves more than just a listen. So here it is in 2003, an anthology of some of their most well-know tracks and otherwise unreleased or unheard rare tracks.
The set is split into two discs - Disc 1 features the rare tracks while Disc 2 fills up with the familiar tunes. Disc 1 with its 7 unreleased or rare tracks is well worth the price of the set itself. The first two tracks Bigmouth and Dirty which were unreleased before and from 1992 already sound like Underworld is destined for bigger dancefloors and things to come. These 2 highly charged electronic/dance tracks lead things off and soon enough the undeniably splendid Mmm Skyscraper I Love You shows up in its full glory followed by another triump which is the original version of Rez. The action just doesn't stop until Track 7.
On Disc 2, you'll get a disc of non-stop greatness which also celebrates the best of Underworld's music in the last 11 years. the most illustrious of all must be the 1996 wonder Born Slippy Nuxx which still sounds as fresh and invigorating as it was way back then. Incidentally, it has been remade for 2003 with additional remixers on baord. Pearls Girl, Jumbo and Push Upstairs then lead the trail. Another track worth mentioning is their 2000 contribution to The Beach soundtrack, 8 Ball. This track is good enough to stand on its own but when fused into the movie, things couldnt have been more perfect. Finally, the sole track from last year's Hundred Days Off is Two Months Off which marks Darren Emerson's absence on an Underworld album. But still the track retains the energetic elements that have made Underworld a trademark in the dance arena.
Overall, 1992-2002 may not have all of underworld's crowning glory on there but does enough justice by giving us their best and the rest.
Free Music Review: 11 years and still going strong...
Hit: 5 Stars
As the end of 2003 approaches, Underworld release their first compilation. Sixteen tracks separated on two discs. Eleven of the tracks have appeared on previous studio albums, while the remaining five have never appeared on a studio album at all (until this one). The compilation starts off with "Bigmouth", which makes prodigious use of the harmonica following along side a sycopated beat and a thumping bass. Later on, there's "Spikee", which is 12 minutes, 30 seconds long. A chugging "locomotive" melody is the best I can describe it, which is why I like it so much. On the second disc, there's an extended version of "Push Upstairs" (with additional lyrics)which I think is better than the original version found on "Beaucoup Fish". That, in turn, is followed by an extended version of "Moaner", which isn't that much better than the original (they should've left the last three minutes off, if you know what I mean). Still, "Moaner" is a great track. These are some of the highlights of "1992 - 2002". My only complaint is that "Dinosaur Adventure 3D" wasn't included. After all, it was released as a single (then again, it was released in 2003, hence, that's why it wasn't included). In any case, this compilation is a good start for the casual listener, and even if you aren't, you should buy this anyway for the five tracks not released on any prior album.Free Music Review: 'must have' for Underworld fans
Hit: 5 Stars
Anthology 1992-2002 is a 'must have' for all Underworld fans. It combines their BEST SONGS into a 2-CD set. In my own opinion I was a tad dissapointed with the second CD just because of the fact that there was too many songs from "Beaucoup Fish" on it (Moaner, Push Upstairs, Shudder/King Of Snake). Don't get my wrong they are great songs but I was maybe hoping to see songs like Dinosaur Adventure 3D or Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream Of Love. I'll be honest...this is the first time I've ever heard any of Underworld's unreleased tracks (Rez, Bigmouth, Dirty, Spikee, 8 Ball...where have I been) and the version of "Dark & Long" I would have to say almost tops the version from Dubnobasswithmyheadman. If you are new to Underworld, I would recommend you listen to this album and Everything, Everything; LIVE. I started off with Dubnobasswithmyheadman (which was probably a bad idea) and I really couldn't get into it and so I was unsure about Underworld at the time. Reading other reviews on the CD though I grew to just like it and now I would give it 5 stars (opposed to earlier where I would only give it 2 for Cowgirl and Dirty Epic). My friend who got me HOOKED on Underworld did not buy the album because he already had all the songs. I did too but hey! it's part of the COLLECTION if you love their music and it didn't cost me much to buy it either. Hit the stores and get this album. I hope my review has made sense and helped people out.