11. The Fat of the Land - The Prodigy 1997
Arguably, this isn't the best body of work from the Essex dance terrorists, that mantle is often given to the awe-inspiring, 'Music for the Jilted Generation'. 'Fat of the Land', is
very good though, and made the band a true household name, selling 10 million copies worldwide, in the process. The crossover appeal of this outfit, that pretty much invented the Big Beat genre, is substantial. Ravers, Electronica heads, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal fans, Punks, Indie kids and more, all could be seen in the audience at Prodigy shows. The man behind all the music, Liam Howlett, was a fan of of many styles of music. This can be heard as he uses Hip Hop break beats, early electronic effects, samples, heavy down-tuned guitar parts in the construction of his hard hitting songs. One thing that remains common throughout his material is the use of bass heavy, pulverizing drum loops and samples. Probably the most hardcore of commercial dance music, they were often seen as a anarcho-Punk band that plays Electronic music. This, their third album, was preceded by two singles, that went straight into the U.K. charts at number one. For a few years in the late 90's, it was impossible to escape from 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe', whether it was in student unions, nightclubs or all over music television channels. Of course, after the success of these two singles, and the fact that previous album, 'Music for the Jilted Generation', had gone in the U.K. album charts at number 1, this release did so too. Not only that, but it also topped the U.S. Billboard album charts, which is some achievement for a band that conservative society was very wary of. What middle America made of the scary duo of front men, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality, is anyone's guess. Flint, was at the time going through his punk phase, all spiked mini mohawks either side of his head, piercings and a Johnny Rotten style vocal attack. Maxim Reality, an imposing, muscular, tall black guy, with a fondness for the scariest contact lenses you can find. His vocal style, is similar to Flints, but even more possessed sounding. Of course, third single, 'Smack My Bitch Up', caused controversy, with its particularly graphic video, is a cracking way to start the record and was released a full year after 'Breathe'. The vocals on this track were provided by rapper, Kool Keith, who then rapped over the particularly Hip Hop flavored, 'Diesel Power', that will test the mettle of any set of speaker. 'Funky Shit', is another highlight and is a Techno/Hip Hop mash-up that is even featured at the end of the movie, 'Event Horizon', as the credits roll. 'Mindfields, with it's particularly unsettling vibe, is also in a major movie, his time, smash hit, 'The Matrix'. Maxim's vocal track on this cut is particularly enjoyable, showing his MC skills to be convincing, to say the least. 'Narayan', another strong track, features the vocal talents of Crispian Mills, of Kula Shaker fame. This track has a real Leftfield sound to it, and that is a really good thing. Obviously, it has that Prodigy edge, and Hip Hop attitude. It was a good number of years before the Prodigy recorded again, due to the grueling touring schedule that the success of 'The Fat...' brought. The band went in different directions, pursuing other musical and non-musical outlets. Thankfully, they did return, but wisely, didn't try to make a part two to this record.