Please, forgive my ignorance. I am not usually a fan of music like that contained on MTV’s Amp. In fact, I usually shy away from techno beats and house tracks in favor of guitar-driven rock. That said, this album does prove at least moderately entertaining for most listeners.
It’s my assumption that the thirteen songs on this CD are *very* mainstream examples of the genres. Released in 1997, MTV Amp was the first of two albums released by the music giant in conjunction with the Caroline record label. The album appears to be some sort of joint promotion for both the MTV show and sister label Astralwerks. Regardless of ulterior motives, the resulting album proves a successful introduction to electronica, house, techno, industrial music.
So, sit back and join me on a journey from the first grinding electronica-rock of The Chemical Brothers to the last ear-splitting messy beat from Atari Teenage Riot. If you are a hard-core fan, this album probably proves trite and cliché. For a virginal fan like myself, MTV Amp really is a great addition to any CD collection.
1. Block Rockin’ Beats – [The Chemical Brothers]
As one of the most immediately recognizable songs of the thirteen, ”Block Rockin’ Beats is loud, obnoxious, and ultimately fun. There are few words (a commonality among most tracks on this album and throughout the aforementioned genres) and The Chemical Brothers successfully utilize manufactured rhythms and samples. The Chemical Brothers are actually a British duo consisting of Tom Rolands and Ed Simons. This particular song was pulled from their sophomore effort Dig Your Own Hole.
2. Atom Bomb – [Fluke]
Recorded initially for a video game soundtrack, this low and understated example of electronic music is good, yet lacks some of the shine and pizzazz of other tracks on this album. The vocals really are catchy, but as with all other songs recorded specifically for video games, the rhythms and beats are VERY repetitive with a reliance on patterns meant to drive the game’s action. ”Atom Bomb” proves to be nothing more than an average attempt.
3. Pearl’s Girl – [Underworld]
Most people probably recognize Underworld for the single ”Born Slippy” also featured on the amazing soundtrack to Trainspotting. ”Pearl’s Girl” came from the same album (1996’s Second Toughest in the Infants) and featured the trio’s typical fusion of various electronic genres. Karl Hyde provides chanting vocals, a characteristic that blends seamlessly with Rick Smith’s and Darren Emerson’s musical talents. This is a superb example of techno-dance.
4. We Have Explosive – [The Future Sound of London]
Once again, this album provides another example of great techno beats. The Future Sound of London uses licks and sounds from Run DMC to fuel the fire that is ”We Have Explosive”. The song actually buzzes and whirrs along behind sparse vocals. Led by the duo of Garry Cobain and Brian Dougans, ”We Have Explosive” is one of the most energetic and amazing tracks on this compilation. It’s catchy and fun and a great example of why people should give ambient house a chance. For reference, the song can be found on 1996’s Dead Cities.
5. Ni Ten Ichi Ryu – [Photek]
A bass drum and various other strange drums drive this example of ‘jungle.’ ”Ni Ten Ichi Ryu” is completely electronic and features nothing but pseudo-percussion instruments. I personally like more layered and more diverse tracks. This Photek (English, Rupert Parkes) track ends up being just too repetitive for it’s own good. Fortunately, ”Ni Ten Ichi Ryu” is brief enough to not become too annoying a listen.
6. Girl/Boy Song – [Aphex Twin]
Richard D. James (a.k.a. Aphex Twin) has garnered praise and respect for his music that spans electronica genres. Originally from 1996’s Richard D. James Album, ”Girl/Boy Song” begins lightly and melodically. It’s one of the more experimental tracks on this album. The beats are fast and furious, yet with almost orchestral musical elements, ”Girl/Boy Song” ends up sounding very mainstream and not in the least bit intense or brooding. New to electronica/techno? This could be a very good place to start your journey.
7. The Box – [Orbital]
This was the first ‘real’ techno track I was ever attracted to. I actually heard it for the first time while watching MTV late one night (presumably on Amp). From the two-CD opus, 1996’s In Sides, ”The Box” begins simply with just sounds. A beat here and a whir there. As the songs progresses, elements are added. By the time the song ends, it sounds very different from the way it did a few minutes earlier. This track is a great example as to why rock and electronica fans both enjoy Orbital. One word of advice…stick with this version…you don’t want to get caught up with the hugely overindulgent 28-minute original.
8. We All Want to Be Free – [Tranquility Bass]
Funky and free flowing, ”We All Want To Be Free” is more rock and roll than techno. This feature alone allows me a great amount of enjoyment above and beyond other purely electronic tracks. ”We All Want to Be Free” was a standout track from Tranquility Bass’s debut and only album Let The Freak Flag Fly. Despite this, it seems impossible that one couldn’t enjoy the 1960’s inspired electric guitars. In my opinion, this track is one of the biggest highlights of this compilation.
9. Inner City Life – [Goldie]
Jugle star Goldie lets loose on ”Inner City Life” originally appearing on 1995’s Timeless. I’m sure somebody really does enjoy this track. Personally, it reminds me somehow of the Love Boat theme song. With that said, I can’t seem to listen to this entire track without being swept away on the Love Boat. Yikes.
10. Voodoo People – [Prodigy]
Many music lovers came to know Prodigy well in the mid- to late- 1990’s thanks to various hits including ”Firestarter” and ”Voodoo People”. This particular mix (masterfully done by the aforementioned Chemical Brothers) is driving and danceable. It’s laden with heavy bass guitars and drum machines. Without a doubt, this is one of the heaviest and hardest track on this CD. Though you may visualize Prodigy thanks to lead man Keith Flint, the production and live show experience were both driven by the man behind the man--Liam Howlett.
11. Are You There? – [Josh Wink]
I find little redeeming quality to this repetitive and pounding track. ”Are You There?” probably has some fans, but to me this house track is just too much and too little at the same time. The beats are sparse. The music is boring. The sampled lyrics are simplistic…just the repeating of the title line. Seriously, hit skip with this one unless you already like Josh Wink or this track.
12. Busy Child – [The Crystal Method]
Sounding very much like Chemical Brothers, Las Vegas natives The Crystal Method relish in their dance-techno-rock based tracks. ”Busy Child” is a great example of their very mainstream sound. One that enables light techno listeners like myself to appreciate an otherwise seemingly untouchable kind of music. ”Busy Child” is the best known song from the duo’s 1997 debut Vegas. I would rate this track among the top five on this ‘best of’ album.
13. Sick To Death – [Atari Teenage Riot]
The words “what the hell” seem applicable here. ”Sick To Death” is a loud and ridiculous track relying on both electronic elements and punk attitude. I personally despise this track and have yet to understand why it was included on this otherwise really impressive compilation. My suggestion? If you can’t stomach the first note of ”Sick To Death” simply stop listening to MTV’s Amp. You’re really not missing out on the rest of the track.
Overall, I am impressed by the tracks on MTV’s Amp. Of course, as I already mentioned, I know little if anything about techno music. If I’ve flubbed up any of the specific genres (jungle, etc.) please don’t hold it against me. Of the tracks here, I’m most impressed by ”We All Want To Be Free”, ”Pearl’s Girl” and ”Girl/Boy Song”. There are only two really bad tracks ”Inner City Life” and ”Sick To Death”.
This album isn’t a must for purists and avid fans of techno. If you are like me and enjoy a song here and there, MTV’s Amp is a very appropriate and necessary addition to your growing music collection. I give this compilation 4/5 stars. It’s just a little better than average. I recommend it, but only to moderate fans of techno/electronica.
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