DecksandDrumsandRockandRoll

The Propellerheads

album cover

Making Big Beat a Little Bigger

The next time you find yourself in the tiresome argument about how music made with samplers and computers doesn't have any heart, cue up "Bang On!" on this doozy of a debut disc from a duo associated with the electronica style called Big Beat. Turn it up and let it play for a minute. Watch as this mind-bending tour de force takes control of the room—a wine connoisseur might describe the groove as having faint James Brown notes with a Memphis soul foundation, and occasional hints of glam guitar. And then excuse herself to get a spot on the dance floor.

"Bang On!" is a post-modern construct—like much electronica of the '90s, it's built entirely from old records. But as assembled by Propellerheads (Will White and Alex Gifford, from Bath, England), this precise combination of source material becomes even better than any one "real" thing. The beat is huge, and filtered to sound hyperreal, and though there are clavinets popping and guitars slashing and even some (well hidden) turntable pyrotechnics, it's the revue-style rumble of the bass and drums that rules this. It's a sound strong enough to steamroll over everything in your brain, make you write bad checks, send you into one-night stands you'll regret before dawn.

That track and several others approach the caterwauling frenzy of great rock and roll, and the consistently delirious DecksandDrums doesn't stop there. Its adventures include lushly appointed fantasies on hip-hop themes and kitschy spy-movie chase scenes. "History Repeating" features a sassy cameo from British vocalist Shirley Bassey. "Why ask your head when it's your hips that are swinging?" the imploring Bassey wants to know. It's a question that applies to every-thing Propellerheads.

Genre: Electronica
Released: 1998, Wall of Sound
Key Tracks: "History Repeating," "Bang On!," "Spybreak!," "360 Degrees (Oh Yeah?)"
Next Stop: The Chemical Brothers: Dig Your Own Hole
After That: Fatboy Slim: Better Living Through Chemistry
Book Pages: 617–618

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Comments:

#1 from Gary - 10/28/2008 9:39

This album was released in 1998, not 1988 as listed.

#2 from dr. ronald lanner, hootersville, auv - 12/13/2008 7:49

This CD was put back in custody after its release in 1998 for disturbing the peace.
Due out of the slammer in 2010…..
10xcsn rocks the cock-a-rocker

#3 from pablo, t.dot - 03/09/2009 2:37

it’s very nice to see this album get some much due props. highly underrated (likely as it was released just as people were maybe getting over the whole “big-beat” sound) this album fails to evoke a room full of sweaty frat boys and instead delivers music steeped in rock, soul and funk traditions that can be grooved to from the most distinguishing of listeners to the most jagger-filled freshman.

1000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die