Published on Dec 7, 1998
Way back in the ancient days of 1995, this little album came out
of nowhere and established itself at the top of the charts. It was
an amazing feat — considering that the album had no well-known
artists. However, fans were quick to recognize it and picked it up.
This led to a lot of the music and entertainment media to mark it
as the signal that electronica was ready to blow onto the scene. Of
course, this led to last year’s predictions that said that Prodigy,
The Dust Brothers and others would become the next big thing —
forever hammering the coffin shut for alternative music. Yet, as we
all know, that really didn’t happen.
Well, this album does suffer from many problems. First of all is
the apparent lack of “name” artists. Unless you were one of the
underground fans, you probably never heard of these artists. (Well,
maybe Traci Lords. But that wasn’t because of her singing mind
you.) Though I’m sure there’s no lack of talent, these artists were
starting to come up to the surface – so name recognition was not
easy.
Second problem is that this isn’t music for everyday life. (The
basic problem with much of electronica music). The music sure fit
the hyper fighting scenes – and I’m sure they’re fine at a dance or
at a rave – but how do you play them at other moments? Can’t dance
all the time. This album doesn’t translate well to other aspects of
life. (Which, while not a requirement for some, is for this
reviewer).
Perhaps the worst is that, unless you’re a fan of much of this
music is too alike to itself. There’s almost no easily recognizable
songs. The best in here are Utah Saints’ theme for the movie –
which is heard and overheard in the movie – and KMFDM’s “Juke-Joint
Jezebel.” The rest blends in and out into a cohesion of sounds that
sounds interesting one moment and boring the next. Oh well.
The album tries to feel at home for both the groundbreakers and
for the everyday fans. If it tried to please one set, it would be
fine. But there’s too much here and a lot of it is overrated. Now,
it’s probably easier–and a better choice–to just get the movie.
At least the music makes more sense with the action on the
screen.