Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Lots of those songs enter by one ear and go out by the other but it's still pleasant while it lasts.
Je ne sais pas trop quoi penser de la «reprise» de Gainsbourg, qui me semble très proche de l'originale (où est la ligne entre hommage, citation et appropriation?). David Holmes est assurément un artiste habile, mais l'ensemble m'a paru très cérébral. Je n'ai pas beaucoup connecté.
It's the dollar store version of a Fatboy Slim album. I don't want to get killed, but I wouldn't mind a little more variety. Favorite Track: "Let's Get Killed".
Perfect music to code to! Was a great soundtrack to my bughunt. Enjoyed the bond-sampled song "Radio 7". Mostly worked as background music for me, had a nice 90s feel to it with the drumbeats and samples. Nothing really special stood out but will keep it on my "focus" rotation.
Mish mash of tunes, hip hop, vibes, and New York street talk that somehow works (mostly). Curious.
Forgettable.
House music isn't really my thing, but I thought it was pretty good.
Not bad
Takes a couple of listens to appreciate but there are a lot of great tracks on this record. Very groovy house music. Not surprising that Holmes has been involved in so many movie soundtracks.
Relies a little too heavily on dialogue samples. Let the beats breathe!
It was an album. I liked the field recordings and it was fine
It was interesting. Not amazing, but not bad.
This is actually quite good as background music I'm not paying attention to. However it's a bit boring actually paying good attention.
Boring but fine
it’s alright a bit too long and a bit too one note
55/100. This album had its moments, but overall, it left me underwhelmed. The beats were solid at first and even gave the album a nostalgic 90s vibe that I genuinely enjoyed—it felt like stepping into a time machine. Unfortunately, as the album went on, the beats became increasingly uninteresting, and the overall experience just didn’t hold up.
Chill instrumental trip hop electronica with hip hop, dub, electronica, acid house, indie rock and WOMAD influences combined for a cinematic feel. Nice and relaxed background music - the lynchpin of many a 'music to study to' playlist.
2.5 stars. Like his work scoring "Ocean's 11" film more than this album. Some of it is good, some of it is forgettable. Weird violent interludes/spoken word vocal sampling of rough underground of NY in beginning of a lot of songs. Standout is "Don't Die Just Yet" with some string orchestral sounds.
I’m not very informed to discuss this, my knowledge on DJing could be written on the back of a stamp, although this sounded like one of the urban movie OST that I have from this time, even before I got to the Bond theme, so can only go off how it sounds to me, today. I don’t dislike it per se, but by its very repetitive nature it seems somewhat monotonous and lacking in vitality, being more background than anything. So yeah glad to expand my horizons and listen to a full album of whatever this is listed as, won’t be rushing to follow up though
Interesting. Minimalist and influenced by multiple genres. This definitely sounded like it should have been rapped over, but whatever. It was fun enough.
Bien
An album that expanded the acid jazz movement of the mid and late nineties and was the album that got Stephen Soderbergh's attention which resulted in him tasking David Holmes with making the iconic acid jazz score for the 2001 remake of OCEAN'S 11.
Oh, wow, super cool! Had never heard of David Holmes, but the artistry here is remarkable. It's genuinely impressive!
Before his rise to fame as a film composer, particularly in collaboration with Steven Soderbergh, David Holmes was known for crafting eclectic electronic music infused with cinematic influences and innovative sound design. Let’s Get Killed is a cult favourite among experimental electronica and trip-hop fans, standing out for its unique storytelling approach. On the surface, the album’s many references to New York may seem unusual coming from a Northern Irish DJ. However, discovering that Holmes recorded much of the album in New York itself—capturing street conversations and ambient city sounds—casts the project in a new light. This field recording technique transforms the album into a vibrant sonic journey through chaotic urban streets, with samples and beats woven together in an immersive narrative. Though the album works best when experienced sequentially, a few tracks stand out. "My Mate Paul" shines with its infectious groove, jazzy horns, and driving electronic beat. "Rodney Yates" offers a slower, atmospheric mood, hinting at Holmes’s future cinematic style. The hauntingly lush "Don’t Die Just Yet" reimagines Serge Gainsbourg with a contemporary twist. At the same time "Radio 7," a James Bond-inspired pastiche, blends vintage soundtrack motifs with modern beats to great effect. As a whole, Let’s Get Killed is an entertaining dive into a genre I don’t often frequent. While a few tracks occasionally meander or feel overly long, the album’s immersive nature makes it easy to get lost in its urban landscape. Though not as polished or widely celebrated as Holmes’s later works, this album remains a snapshot of his artistry in his early career. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Honestly, no. While the album provides a fascinating glimpse into Holmes’s early experimentation, it is not as accomplished as other electronic albums released in and around the same year. Would this release make my personal list? No. Will I be listening to it again? It’s unlikely to make its way back into my regular rotation. It’s a compelling listen in context but doesn’t quite hold up to repeated plays for me.
More fun ambience, like The XX a perfectly decent album I see myself returning to. Favourite track: Gritty Shaker.
That's not my taste in music. But ok. Strange.
I like this record just fine, but the best part of it is just a remix of half of Gainsbourg's Histoire De Melody Nelson, and also another Gainsbourg standard, probably his most famous song -- Le Poinçonneur des Lilas. Which like of course samples can still be original works but it's less of a sample and more of a straight up remix album, or like just the actual songs but instrumental with some extra kick drum tracks added on top of it, unless there's something subtle I'm missing. I did like it but what I liked best about it was the part that Gainsbourg did. There's also a rework of the James Bond theme too? I don't know. It doesn't feel worthy of being on a list if you know the references it comes from, which aren't deep cuts at all nor is he really adding much of anything to them. It's a very derivative and half-baked album, and if I wasn't such a sucker for 90s electronica I would definitely give it a 2.
Pretty good, but not really the same staying power as other electronic music of the time. It feels dated, but I still enjoyed the listen. 3.5/5
Not bad, good background music to have on while working ...
i’ve got a soft spot for these 90s big beat guys but this is less memorable than most
I listened to it while doing a semi-tedious task at work and it was pleasant. Liked ‘Slashers Revenge’ (the dub one) the most. The spoken bits are pretty prominent. Important for the artistic context, and sets it apart from trip hop stuff like Portishead, but kinda dates it.
I hadn't heard of David Holmes, which is neat, because I've been wanting to get into this genre and was expecting this list to basically be 1,001 classic rock albums. I got really into Fred again... last year (or the year before?) when his Boiler Room set got big, and I loved Porter Robinson's latest album. Are those reasonable comparisons? I'm an electronic newbie! Anyway, I like this and will be adding it to my collection. It does feel very ~of its time~, but I also love the 90s NYC aesthetic so that's not a problem for me! 3 stars.
meio médio
A collection of funky and well-crafted beats; it's just a shame that most of the songs don't really change or evolve all that much and often run on for a minute or two too long. It's still pretty neat background music though.
Fine easy listen. Very 1994
It was alright
Not bad, not good.
Not sure where all the hate comes from, a bit simple but fun listen
Not my type of music but appreciate. Some nice safe sounds
Some of these bests are interesting. Not bad for background music. Extremely New York, well captured by the Irishman. I really don’t understand the vitriol towards this album here. It’s quite melodic and musical as electronic music goes. A lot of critiques here seem to be stock objections to a genre rather than genuine consideration of a particular instance of it.
3.75
09/10/24 This album did nothing for me.
I liked how creative this album was but I just don't think I could get in the right headspace for it truthfully. I should revisit this because there was a high level of art and work that was obvious but I just really listened it to once and that was it but I could see a world where this gets multiple listens and four stars.
I really appreciate how many instrumental tracks this list gives us. This album was just fine. I think I was expecting to dislike it more than I did based on reviews. This album feels so very 90s to me, which shouldn't be surprising, but I really like that aspect of listening to this album. There are some songs I really like and others that I do not care for, and overall I could see myself putting on this album again for background music at work and just skipping the songs I feel most meh about.
Interesting, atmospheric. Better as part of something than as the main feature. Good as background music, would make a good soundtrack.
Probs a 2.7
cool blend of field recordings and jittery electronica but it's (‘say the line, Bart!’) too long in my opinion. I found the first couple songs to be the best, but the uneasy 2nd half of the album, especially after the 4-drug cocktail bender, get points for being eerie as heck. The dub song is also 🔥 HL: "Slasher's Revenge", "My Mate Paul", title track September 26, 2024
An album drawing a lot from the worlds of instrumental hip hop, not unlike the music of DJ Shadow, and big beat groups like 'The Chemical Brothers". I love those two artists so it was a shame that I left the thing with less-than-stellar impressions. Despite it acting perfectly in the context, I don't want to sum it up as background music, but it certainly doesn't have that engaging grip and diversity to keep me focused for its nearly one-hour runtime. The samples just aren't that creative - though I did like those little interlude snippets. It still sounds great all things considered but, again, in a more let your mind wander sort of way.
The editors of this book really want you to like 90s electronica, but this album just sounds like the rest of them… at least to me. Not bad, but really not interesting.
Intriguing - has the feeling of a soundtrack. Not sure I need to hear it again -
Meh. Don't care too much, at all actually for electronica. This at least felt a little better than most. But still pretty repetitive, as is the usual for these electronica albums.
Album kind of reminds me of the ratchet and clank ost for some reason Its not that bad. Im not super familiar with breakbeat music so if the generally considered to be bad breakbeat, then consider intrigued by more highly regarded breakbeat albums As for this one: There's some interesting and creative production on here, however most of the album feels a little drab. Nothing horrible though.
First thought was movie music & it turns out this guy has scored a few flicks. And reworked the Bond theme…okay.
Fine album, but without some lyrics it feels really dull after some time.
73% Best: My Mate Paul; Gritty Shaker; Radio 7; Don't Die Just Yet Must-Hear? Not quite, but great background music
One of the better electronic albums but still not my cup of tea
I thought this album was just "good." It didn't "wow" me or impress me or really make me want to add it to my "collection" to go back to, but it was chill and easy to listen to the one time. The "interviews" in between the songs were mostly annoying to me, though, and that is a big piece of why I can't see myself listening to it, again.
Glad to hear this. I found the recorded street dialogue wearisome, but i suppose it adds ambience. The tunes were great though. The guy clearly knows what he's doing.
Not great. Really pretty unremarkable. Gonna do a 2.5 though because it made for decent background music.
3.5
Very dull background music that isn't very cool or innovative. Every song sounds the exact same, which is a generic drum beat and some 'urban' New Yorker talking in the background. It's a very safe algorithm, and being safe, it's lame. And this is totally unrelated but that album art is really cheap.
I'm enjoying it, but I genuinely can't find why this is regarded by some as such a classic
Favorite Track: Radio 7
Not really sure what to think of this one. Trippy electronica I guess? I liked the first half a bit better and was solidly grooving to it, but it just got a bit lackluster as time went on. I'll give this a generous 3, because it was subjectively a better listen than Missy Elliott with the main drawback being its length.
Pretty cool laid back electronic for the most part with a bit of rock sprinkled in. Really liked Don't Die Just Yet, had a bunch of cool aspects to it. Little longer than I would have wanted and it was pretty much only good as background music. But for what it was that was a mid to high 3.
Decent listen
Didn't really stick with me much
Enjoyed it, nice background music whilst working
This album plays like a survey of electronica circa 1997. An interest concept, very eclectic.
Yeah, I guess this was where electronic DJ music was in '97... Kinda sad that my favorite track is the DJ'fying of Serge Gainsbourg, which didn't need the help.
Not bad. The James Bond theme was fun and I liked the little interlude with the guy complaining about being kicked out of a club for dancing.
Quite like it
Decent, but not very memorable. The songs all last about a minute longer than they should.
Like a lot of these elctronic albums, easy to listen to but not a lot to get excited about.
Uskomattomin albumi radio never ending madness.. jaha
Occasionally atmospheric but on the whole not particularly exciting
Kinda cool. Not something I'd look to listen too. 3/5
Ambiental
Good!
Every track was a just a hair too long, and the album doesn't have any "peaks" so to speak, but I enjoyed this as a manic meditation with early electronica styles.
Cinematic atmospherics from the streets of New York and some jazz fusion adds a touch of individuality to what is an otherwise standard, though still enjoyable, downtempo electronica affair.
Sounds sort of like electro-jazz. It has a range of vibes, but a common one is as accompaniment for a 90s futuristic movie; so a bit of corny and energetic. Nothing stands out as amazing, but also it's not so bad either. There's definitely creativity and uniqueness to it. So far I'd put it around 3/5. I wouldn't necessarily listen to it again, but it's not bad by any stretch.
I liked it more than I thought I would. Some great tracks and a lot of filler that's really just background music. Nothing is truly bad, but there's just too much og it. Seems to be a general problem with 90s albums.
Talking over beats. Could be informative, could be a story that has meaning to them, but either way it’s talking over beats.
Ok, the astrologist on Gritty Shaker was a real guy in Greenwich Village at the time. He would hang out around the parks with his charts and sheets of paper and offer readings for a few bucks. But he would rattle everything off by memory. He was amazing and funny and a real local character. I’m ashamed to say that I had forgotten about him. But I’m so thrilled that he was immortalized on a popular record. The world got to meet him. The bucket drummers and street performers are all very endearing and authentic. The parts that are Holmes are okay. But the parts that are the real city recordings are the good. They are actual gems in a time capsule. 90s Manhattan was a fabulous dream. Overall, this is nice background music. Good for imagination time. A little heavy handed and obvious. But a nice relic of the time and place.
This was a surprise. I enjoyed this. I'd say it could be tighter, didn't need to be an hour. Let's get it closer to 30. 2.5
digging the spooky vibes in track three. these tracks dont go anywhere so its hard to love them but they arent bad by any means. Track 11 rocks too
I liked more than I thought I would.
enjoyed it having never heard of it. Beats and melodies. Definitely a precursor to things that came later that i love
Started out pretty boring but improved as it went on.
Some brillant stuff here but some shite to balance it out
I checked out Wikipedia and learned he’s scored some movies I like. Respect.
Was alright. A less good Endtroducing…
A bit too long but that was fun. 3 stars
Seems undistinguished to me. 'Don't Die Just yet' was the track I enjoyed the most, but I think it is a rip-off of a Serge Gainsbourg tune?
I can’t believe I’m rating this a 3. But for electronica to zone out to or to pretend that you are the protagonist in a Steven Soderbergh flick then this record is made for you. It runs a tad long and the interstitials are a waste of space. But you can apparently turn it on and roam the streets of downtown Minneapolis and not quite hate it.
He’s not going to kill us with this blunt old thing.
The thing about writing a soundtrack to an imaginary film is that you have to write the imaginary themes and imaginary action sequences, not just the imaginary incidental music
Første halvdel hørte jeg i bilen, næste i hovde telefoner. Det sidste er klart at foretrække. Et fint lyt med lidt 007, og fin into på numrene.
Interesting record!
Ok, the astrologist on Gritty Shaker was a real guy in Greenwich Village at the time. He would hang out around the parks with his charts and sheets of paper and offer readings for a few bucks. But he would rattle everything off by memory. He was amazing and funny and a real local character. I’m ashamed to say that I had forgotten about him. But I’m so thrilled that he was immortalized on a popular record. The world got to meet him. The bucket drummers and street performers are all very endearing and authentic. The parts that are Holmes are okay. But the parts that are the real city recordings are the good. They are actual gems in a time capsule. 90s Manhattan was a fabulous dream. Overall, this is nice background music. Good for imagination time. A little heavy handed and obvious. But a nice relic of the time and place.
Soundtrack to my life
It was ok, wasn't really in the best headspace for a thorough listen
7/10
Funky and bizarre.
Let’s Get Killed I really liked his album after this, Bow Down to the Exit Sign when it came out at the end of uni. I listen d to it again a while ago and it still holds up. Despite liking that album I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Let’s Get Killed. I think Ben may have had the CD back in Durham though. My Mate Paul - could this BE more 90s sounding Let’s get Killed is good Gritty Shaker I’ve heard before and like Don’t Die Just Yet - standout by far I think I would have liked it a lot in 1997, and at that time it would have been right at the vanguard of this type of thing, but listening to it now it feels a bit dated, in a way that Endtroducing doesn’t. There’s a lot of lounge/jazz organ to some of it that was popular at the time but doesn’t sound that great now. Im not massively keen on the drum sound either. When it is a bit more ‘dramatic’ like on Let’s Get Killed it works much better. Don’t Die Just yet is excellent, the real standout. Gritty Shaker, Lets Get Killed and Radio 7 were also good I thought. It’s not as good as Bow Down to the Exit sign which has a bit more to it and a bit more sonic variation. I think there are also other better albums in this style so I’m not sure I’ll go back to this much, although Don’t Die Just Yet is going on my ‘Best Songs I didn’t Know About From 1001 Albums I Must Hear Before I Die’ playlist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meh
Okay album. Some of these electronic albums are tough, but I’m sure they are better performed live. I did like the street performance aspects on certain songs. And there is a song with a melodica, which I fully support. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again
Lidt for lang og det der James Bond remix var goofy as fuck, men ellers fed!
7/10
Trip hop. Ni fu ni fa.
Nice, explaines the avalanches
I found this album to be more enjoyable than other British electronic albums of the 90s. The hip hop influence was a major selling point and the strength of the beats did all the heavy lifting. The New York City centric theme of the album was puzzling, but lended a sense of continuity which worked well enough.
It was obvious he's a disc jockey from the first track. It was different to have exclusively instrumental album. I don't know what to call the genre but it was but it was like hip-hop rock house. Haters will say that it got repetitive, but I had no difficulty grooving the entire length of each song. I like the speech samples book ending each song as well. This whole album could've been the soundtrack for an open world video game about skateboarding on the PlayStation One.
Fairly decent. Wasn't a fan of some of the blurbs that start most of the tracks, and some of the beats were a little dull, but on the whole there were some good tracks on there. Nothing really stand out though. Pleasant, but not essential. 3.5*
jag ska skriva på svenska för nästa sex or sju vecka för jag måste lärare svenska på min universitet. det tänka om jag behöva att mig futuri i mig jobba. det album är mycket bra. artisten är från england och producera breakbeat. många låtar startat med en man talar någon shit. urkontinent = alkumanner....... heh saatana jaksa enempää...vittu kesti 5 minuuttia saada päästä nuo... eniveis, oli hyvä paitsi paskoi kuulokkeeni joten huono. dont die just yet
Very 90s
I'm not a big fan of this genre, but - so far - this is the most tolerable album within it. It had a bit of a jazz feel the way the songs were structured. It was still too long, but - hey - worth a listen.
6/10 for what it is, it’s an ok compilation of sounds. definitely captures the NYC nightlife kinda vibe but not a lot of tracks really clicked with me, if anything it felt drawn out. i appreciate the variety on here though, love u james bond <33
Nicht mein Musikstil, aber trotzdem bemerkenswert anders
Empieza mejor que termina... Electronic, trip hop, pero luego soul ambiental ...
My mate Paul was driving to Winchester when a lorrie jack knifed in front of him, and he was hurtling towards it and everything went slow-mo. And Paul, who's never been religious, spoke to Jesus and said, "I promise if I survive this, I'll believe in you." And he did survive, but he fractured his skull and broke both his legs. Why did Jesus do that to him? See, Paul never forgave him. He said "If I ever see Christ again, he's a dead man."
At first, I thought this was "The Pina Colada Song" guy. Turns out that's *Rupert* Holmes. Probably his brother or cousin or something. Some interesting Trip-Hop elements here. I enjoy a lot of electronic music, but as a whole, this was not a big stand-out for me. Two and one-half stars, marked up to a three because it was good background music while I was doing other things that required more attention.
Ihan chillihköö menoo 🤌🏼 Yks bondibiisikin siellä 😱
Made for good background noise, but wasn’t too exciting outside of that. Dug some of the funky beats, but was pretty chill overall.
I've had a couple of tracks from this saved in my library for years. Sadly, I didn't save any more after listening to all of this. It's not bad but if you look at David's career after this it feels like they've grown a lot since this.
TripHop! Yesssss! (after actually listening to it: sadly, the drums are too hectic. Great 90s sound otherwise)
Beetje vanalles wat, maar toch ook best interessant en leuke dingen gehoord. Mag blijven.
Lekker hoor.
Groovy late 90s electronic album. Really liked the James Bond Theme sample on "Radio 7".
Definitely not a big fan of the style in general, but sounds good for what it is and not unpleasant for in the background. Not more than that for me, unfortunately.
Reasonable electronic
As far as electronica albums go, this is probably the best I've had on this list. Tracks flew by for what it's worth. A common issue I have with these albums tends to be repetitiveness. It's not absent here, but I noticed it less than I have before. It's ok music, but the genre is still not for me. Highlight: Don't Die Just Yet Lowlight: Caddell Returns Surprise Hit: Head Rush On Lafayette
Interesting
Exploring the ambiance of trip hop while inducing the hypnotic frenzy of breakbeats. Results are fit for a soundtrack for a late 90's/early 2000's movie or video game. Lack of vocals leads to much of the album relegating itself to background music. This kind of attempt at trip hop has a lot of potential, but it often sounds stunted or never fully-realized. Don't Die Just Yet is the closest that Holmes reaches to excellence, but even then it lacks a certain focal point to give the music an extra kick.
Another artist I hadn’t heard of. This was fun and funky and I always love interesting drum beats. It first made me think of Orbital or even The Chemical Brothers. Listens: 2 Fave Track: Freaknik Rating: 3
groovy, loved the ad libs, makes me proud of new york
Im sure it sounded better in ‘97. Skits were fine. Needs a little bit more umph
Damn 2 DJ albums in a row, this one is better than the last one but still not a 4
Some tracks were too repetitive for me. Two tracks were interesting though: "Don't Die Just Yet" and "Caddell Returns".
Pretty chill pretty chill
Pretty cool trip-hop/breakbeat kinda stuff. Not sure this justifies its position here over Amon Tobin or something, but it was an interesting listen overall, I jacked a couple songs for a playlist. Not bad. 3.5
Soundtracks!
Trip hop. Ni fu ni fa.
Empieza mejor que termina... Electronic, trip hop, pero luego soul ambiental ...
I noticed that David Holmes has scored several TV series, as well as film soundtracks, which makes sense since, Let's Get Killed has a soundtrack sound to it. Nothing to get excited about, (you can guess he was a DJ) but the music is enjoyable and makes for fine background music. Kind of living my own soundtrack to the afternoon. Nice listen, but far from essential.
3.6 - I like the use of interview recordings on the title track, "Caddell Returns" and others. I also love the freestyle rap on "Head Rush On Lafayette" - that's a hot track. Not so crazy about the haunted house-sounding squeals and yowls on songs like "Freaknik" but they don't distract from an overall solid EDM record that bumps nicely in the background.
After the first couple tracks, I thought this sounds like the Ocean's 11 soundtrack. Then it turns out that a lot of David Holmes is on the soundtrack, so I guess that explains it. It feels appropriate in the background of a movie, but not something I'd actively listen to.
Ok it's a decent EDM/Breakbeat album but nothing groundbreaking. The various city sound bites are more of distraction, could have done without them.
I enjoyed this more than I assumed I would, but not enough to understand it’s appearance on the list of 1001 Albums.
Really mixed on this album. I think without the talking I'd put it on again to work to. But as is, i don't think i'd listen to this again.
For some reason I thought the generator said that this was 1973. And I was blown away thinking how could this be made in the early 70s. Then I double checked. Oh, 1997. Generic electronica from the 90s, that makes more sense. It's fine. I need to learn to read better.
some acid jazz electronic lounge vibes with slightly too much radio interference. like a mild Jet Set Radio soundtrack with some downtempo breakbeat energy. good background music, as long as you can tolerate the occasional high pitched radio hiss. 3.5/5
Good background music. Flows really well Rating: 3.0
I enjoyed the James Bond sound, but the rest was not really my thing. Appreciate the musicality though.
Honestly, this felt a bit like background music to me. There is a soundtrack element to it, for sure.
Just another beats album.
Amongst all the electronica albums we've had, this was actually one of the lesser evils
Ok
Spotify labeled it as trip hop but I don't see it that way.
2.5 Nice cover
6/10. I think I can see why this album is considered great, or whatever, but I just can't get that excited about electronic music with a bunch of samples of people talking.
I actually like a lot of this dj music from this era. Not bad but not great...
Interesting music
I don't get it. But I don't hate it either.
Actually wasn't mad keen on this. Extra star for being from Belfast.
Trip hoppy not a lot in it for me though :(
Entertaining enough
Canny this. Wasnt sure what to expect, never heard of him before. Definitely wasnt expecting something like Mr Scruff though! Good background music, perhaps to its detriment at times. Would absolutely listen to this when working but it’s not the type of record you look forward to sitting down and listening through. Repetitive, naturally, but interesting enough to keep me keen. Borders on the pysch but never leaves that whole electro/dance feel. 3.5
So this album feels very VERY much like all others of it's type, the more hip hop style techno beats of the late 90s. It's not bad, but it doesn't really inspire any awe like other similar albums for me.
It's fine...? Background music for sure that doesn't push any envelopes at times, then some other random tracks that could be a separate artist.
A lot of down-tempo, repetitive tracks made this rather tedious. It's fine but not my favorite.
Always glad when this project introduces me to an artists whose music I’ve never heard and to genres and styles to which I seldom listen. Electronica is one of those styles with which I spend almost no time, and I enjoyed this album more than I expected I would. To my ear, there are some interesting things rhythmically and harmonically happening in these songs.
Electro, non avrei pensato (perché ho letto 67 al posto di 97). Come sottofondo ci sta
Ik ben best te porren voor instumentale hiphop/triphop/sample heavy breakbeat-achtige shit, maar dit album haalt niet het absolute Champions League niveau wat je in deze lijst verwacht. Het is niet slecht, maar het staat voor mij muzikaal gezien een beetje in de schaduw van Dj Shadow (padoem pats!), Cut Chemist en RJD2 om maar wat namen te noemen. Al met al wel prima, maar ook dit album zal ik me over een paar dagen amper nog herinneren.
I was ready to disregard the whole album. The street interludes don't add to the experience... they are distracting, and i can't imagine that i'd want to hear them if i kept playing the album over and over. The ambient/electronic music is okay... a little experimental at times, but generally pretty ordinary. I perked up a bit for Radio 7" as an interesting James Bond take, but the album was really redeemed for me on Don't Die Just Yet. That song has a vibe and just rides its groove the whole way. That was fantastic, the rest pretty forgettable.
I liked this! A different flavor of "electronic" music than I'm used to, but some very cool, and obviously '90s, stuff going on. The Bond sample was interesting too. Might be Stockholm syndrome based on the last couple duds, but this one was a nice change of pace. Favorite tracks: Let's Get Killed, Gritty Shaker, Rodney Yates, Slashers Revenge. Album art: Not quite sure what I'm looking at, maybe paint splattered over a blurred picture of a city skyline? This one's cool though, I like the color contrast. The album title is great, shocking. 3.5/5
Very soundtrack-esque. The monologue from gritty shaker (I liked this song the best) gives serious vine energy. Grand for background noise. Not really my style..
Party dj music
solid album. Not sure why it's on here though
I was confused as to why Holmes, an Irish musician was peppering in samples from New York residents. The fact that he used recordings from a trip he made to the Bronx 10 years earlier when he was 17, made me appreciate this album a bit more. A few tracks in and I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy this but it pulled me back in. Radio 7” far and away stood out as my favourite. I’ll give this 3 stars
I'd listen again, just need more weed to calm the unsyncopated madness.
Pleasantly surprised. Expected some bullshit but enjoyed this.
Entire album of good music, but also nothing special
Ok album, but nothing amazing for me. I think I just don't care for this sort of thing. 3/5
Someone with a good record collection trying to make an album that captures all their interests. Very 90s. Liked this and Holmes at the time as a teen but it feels a little too self-conscious.
Music for movies mixed with trip hop. I have this album in my cd collection but never fully got into it ..as with most trip hop it is ok, but is also a bit boring.
I found myself getting into the groove a few times.
not a 2, not a 3
Wasn't immediately sure about this one but I listened to the whole album and it definitely grew on me. I particularly enjoyed Rodney Yates. This album perfectly reinforced the notion of being rewarded for committing to listen to something you've never heard before.
This is ok to listen to- kinda like a background soundtrack as others have noted. It's not the most original of sounds either. Just ok.
Pretty chill background music. Nothing super exciting, but really enjoyable for what it is. I see why this guy is now doing music scores, as film may provide that but of intrigue that the music lacks. 3.5/5 for me.
Solid background electronica. Some cool tracks that sounded very "90s PC game" and I enjoyed those. 3.5*
Groovy but too much talking
Did not have much use for this. Mostly innocuous, though it got irritating in places, mostly just not very interesting sampling and meandering synthesizer B.S.
Very nice to listen to as a background music.
good DnB/breakbeat but a little uneven, track-wise.
Electronica abstract with some sampling of New York's Finest... or not finest idk.
Sonidos electrónicos y con ritmo. Un tanto parecidos entre sí todos los temas. Muy pocos vocales. Ideal como música ambiente. No destaca en nada especialmente.
Psychedelic hip hop presented in the form of a regular day in New York
Well, seeing that this was from a British DJ that I've never heard of did not inspire a lot of confidence in me based on my previous experience with this list, but I can at least understand why this album is on here. The samples from NYC including a lot of conversations with people associated with New York's underbelly made for an interesting listen. Overall the music is uninspiring. Not bad, just not really breaking any ground for the time. I was looking for something else to listen to a couple of songs in, but still it's a cool idea for an album 3/5
This is very close to a 4 for me, I struggle with the first half of the album but it really picks up half way through. 3+/5
oceans 11
74/100: This was a cool album in a genre I never would normally actively seek out but am glad I was forced to explore. I really enjoyed the ambience and atmosphere this album created; in fact, I'd say this album surpasses most albums in that regard. That's obviously not enough for me to give this a score that surpasses most albums, though. Beyond the atmosphere invoked by this album, it is mostly just drums, bass, and whispered vocals. It's really cool for a few songs and is incredibly well done on songs like "Radio 7," but it's a bit worn out by the end of the album. I likely have that mindset solely because of my music taste, but it exists nonetheless.
It surprised me from time to time and wasn't as expected.
Thought this would be considered turntables but reviews say grime
Cool trip hop sound, but I found it faded into the background a bit rather than hitting big highs. 3/5
Good background music
Dans le genre tripope on a vu mieux
il m'a un peu eu avec la dernière track
Like the breakbeat/triphop stuff some of it's a bit to 'uneasy' for a casual listen during work. Might work better for a late night booze infused listen. The spotify radio that came on after this was perfect
Groovy, trippy, great flow. This could have been just a hodgepodge of borrowed sounds on repeat, but it feels very unified. I really enjoyed this. Fave Songs: Freaknik, Caddell Returns, My Mate Paul, Radio 7, Gritty Shaker, Slashers Revenge
Kind of an Aphex Twin "lite" but enjoyable enough. I have a soft spot for 90s electronic music.
Sounds like a hip-hop record without rhymes. The only MCs on this tape are in the form of recordings of conversation which set a mood of real street level humanity. The sounds are all over the place but cohesive enough to make a good album. At first I thought this might be a house album but I was pleasantly treated with some synth tunes, jazzy beats, etc. More Moby than Aphex Twin but still an enjoyable listen.
Mixed feelings about this one, some interesting sampling
It’s the repetition of electronic/dance music without too much memorable about it. Almost a tame, lame Endtroducing. 5/10
Industrial hip-hop/electronica/lo-fi sounds often juxtaposed with a backdrop of raw conversations from the underbelly of New York. Relatively easy listen and although the runtime is coming close to an hour, it went by very quickly. What I found most interesting is that David Holmes is not only known for his DJing but also has a long association with creating musical scores, most notably his frequent collaborations with Steven Soderbergh on films such as Killing Eve and the Oceans Trilogy. Best: Rodney Yates Worst: Freaknik
good for studying
From the opening notes I expected more from this album. pretty cookie cutter 90s electronic big beat.
If a friend had not told me, I wouldn't have known that David Holmes was known for his cinema soundtracks. That said, I might have still drawn some kind of parallel. Because there is something about this album that has a cinematic quality to it. I can imagine this music over an artsy film about dark, seedy city underground people and dealings. All the music is touched by a little bit of grit, distortion, or mystery. Not every soundtrack can garner these kinds of visuals, so I find it very impressive (but not surprising, knowing what I know now) that this non-soundtrack produces such images befitting a soundtrack. Overall, I liked this but didn't love it. It was interesting, but didn't blow me away. It was definitely a unique listen from this project thus far, though!
Alright
Really interesting experimental electronic music, not really clicking with me tho Favorites: Radio 7, Don't die just yet
not my music style, but it was an okay listen.
Comme vous le savez déjà, elrapeze et moi-même entretenons des relations en dents de scie avec Robert, notre castor national. Il y a quelques semaines, nous l'avons mis en garde au sujet de l'anormale quantité d'albums dont la durée excédait les soixante minutes. Malgré une légère amélioration les jours suivants, notre ami continue de nous provoquer, notamment avec cet album d'une durée de cinquante-neuf minutes et quarante-cinq secondes. Fais très attention, Robert…
I grew up in 2000s and electronic music has evolved a lot. But this record sounds interesting for a 90s album. I think it ages well, I don't think I have anything against this record, cause it doesn't tell much. I'd say it's decent and kind of unique compare to nowadays formulaic electronic music.
Fun beats and triphop vibes. Not super sticky but I did enjoy a bit of it.
Yeh, just finished it and forgotten it already.
dance music 6/10
Tiene elementos piolas pero hasta ahí. Es un poco dificil de escuchar. Rodney yates 💫
Ça ne vieilli pas très bien. Aussi, Ça fait une bonne musique d’ambiance pour travailler ou dans un film (Ocean’s 11), mais c’est un peu vide pur s’assoire et faire de l’écoute active.
On est dans un genre ambiant ici, mais avec une bonne groove. Quelque part près des environnements de Kid Koala, Jaga Jazzist ou encore Amon Tobin, trois artistes que j’apprécie particulièrement. Ça s’écoute très bien.
It's good but I won't listen again probably
We’ve had a lot of this early electronic music and it’s pretty good, just not very remarkable
this is fine. it’s just fine.
Great background music, with strong 90s nostalgia
James Bond sample caught my ear but everything else was just background
I have honestly never heard of this guy before seeing his name/this album come up here.. But then as I listened I could definitely hear Oceans 11/12/13m etc.. sounds.. and saw he had done the music for this trilogy. As for the actual music, it's kind of OK.. like trip-hop electronica with lots of samples used from various places. Not something I'd normally listen to but glad I could expand personal music horizons a bit!
I think the guy talking in the background on a few of his tracks just learned the F word. Ambient beats album, was good enough music to have in the background while working but not sure the reason it would be on the list. 3 for the beats being good, came very close to dropping it to a 2 because the spoken parts are really bad.
File under that sort of Need for Speed 90s beats and samples electronicy nonsense
Pleasant enough but didn't really hold my attention - felt like a Film soundtrack.
Really intriguing and cool use of dialog/recordings. Not my favorite but the music is good. Not sure if I would listen again, so only 3/5 stars.
Better than expected, but not amazing
I actually really enjoyed this as background beats. It's cool stuff.
nah I'm good
I was in the right mood for this one. It's a great sit and think album. Relaxing and laid back, with just enough oomph to get the brain going.
I wasn't expecting an instrumental album. A few more field recordings and found sounds and this would have been right up my alley. Still a good listen though.
Listened to on 5/5/22 2.5/5 Favorite song: radio 7 This album was chaotic and felt like you were listening to music full blast in the middle of a city but the twist on the bond song was really fun
Weird trip hop that’s the definition of background
At first I found this album quite boring. But as it went on I played a fun game of "What movie scenario would this song be played in?" It made it a little more fun to listen to.
Taki zestaw sampli, znowu sobie coś leci w tle, nie przyciąga uwagi, do tego mniej eksperymentalne niż poprzedni w zestawieniu DJ Shadow. Mało angażująca, na pewno też bardziej taneczna niż do słuchania w domu. Nic szczególnego.
Nie jest to album na 4, bo niektóre utwory to naprawdę elevator music. Ale mocne 3, bliżej 3.5 nawet, bo są też świetne utwory jak "Don't die just yet". Wstawki "bondowe" mega spoko. Bardzo nierówny albumik
There is some interesting stuff on this but also some questionable stuff. Like why sample the James Bond soundtrack? Anyway, kinda fun
I have nothing against this particular David Holmes album. It's decent big beat / electronica overall. But as I've already said elsewhere, I have Dimery's full list, and I'm quite infuriated by his (and his contributors') shorsightedness when it comes to many other important genres, with glaring ommissions in them. Just look at jazz, for instance. No "Mingus, Ah, Um", no "Blue Train" or "Giant Steps" for Coltrane, no Shabaka Hutchings album from one of his many projects, not to mention some very important Miles Davis records missing here and there. And I'm mostly talking about legendary names here, not even *true* obscure stuff. So a decent but minor big beat album compared to those absent records doesn't weigh much in terms of cultural importance. Which is *why* I can't include it on my own list. Sometimes it's whole genres that are criminally overlooked. Apart from two releases by Slint and Sigur Rós, "post-rock" albums are nowhere to be seen. Where are those all-time masterpieces by Mogwai, Tortoise, Godspeed You! Black Emperor or A Silver Mount Zion? Seriously, guys, "trippy" music didn't stop with the sixties or the seventies. Those later masterpieces should be part of the so-called "canon", more than stuff by Quicksilver Messenger Service, for example. Such post-rock records have been here for a long time now, even for a few decades for some of them, and new generations are going back to those records as we speak. Who's rediscovering "Happy Trails" today, apart us music nerds through this app? Nobody. Likewise, post-hardcore, and emo are probably niche genres, but they should have some decent representatives in the list. And the same goes with the admittedly quite recent post-punk revival in the UK. "Hookworms" is only a very minor example of that recent revival selected by Dimery and co, and the problem is that it won't be remembered the way Idles, Fontaines D.C., Shame, Squid, Yard Act, black midi or Black Country New Road are going to be for sure. And we should also cross the pond and mention the outrageous absence of many current key American artists of all stripes and styles, from Billie Eilish to Big Thief, from Low to Weyes Blood, from Sharon Van Etten to Parquet Courts, or from Turnstile to Women / Vietcong / Preoccupations. Dimery and friends are sure ticking a few important boxes culturally speaking with records by Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey and Fiona Apple. But it's not nearly enough. And it's still very "mainstream". Make room for more important stuff now. Please... Album left to review of just listen to: more than 900, I've temporarily lost count here. Essential listens I'll keep on my list: Half so far. Albums I *might* include: a quarter. Albums I consider not essential at all: a quarter, including this one.
Electronics with samples of NY street sounds. Good rhythm, lots of bass.
A concept album of sorts about New York in regards to contemporary life, the four essences of hip-hop and punk rock lifestyles amid the surfaces of electronic music (samples of James Bond's theme abound in Radio 7). One of the more imaginative cinematic albums of its time period. Favorites: Let's Get Killed, Gritty Shaker, Radio 7, Slashers Revenge, Don't Die Just Yet.
Great background techno style instrumentals
I'm of two minds on this one. If I heard any single cut from this on radio or streaming, I would make a point to check out who/what it is. But listening to the whole thing seemed interminably long and somewhat tedious.
It was pretty good background music for working. Nothing overly exciting but some fun beats and melodies in there.
"Wow look at us, we're so cool" is the sentiment I had with this album. It wasn't too bad and the sound effects are ok. Quite intense, not necessarily in a bad way. Not for everyday listening IMO.
It's not bad. It's not great. I liked the cinematic style songs, didn't see the added value of the samples of people on the street talking.
Best Song: Radio 7. The bit about Bond was great, as was the play on his theme. Worst Song: Head Rush on Lafayette. Because the preceding songs started with (what appear to be) candid recordings of people talking, the spoken word here ends up feeling forced in comparison. Give me more of those realistic, bizarre slices of life. Overall: Nice relaxed beats interspersed with strange street interviews. Nothing stands out all too distinctly, but overall the album does a good job of maintaining this sort of "hardened mellow" flow. Good background/working music.
Ah this is cool! I love that these recordings he got in NYC when he was 17 on a tape recorder. Some songs I'm finding pretty annoying/boring in parts. But I am also really enjoying other parts so it's very mixed feelings. Not sure if I'll listen again.
This was a bit meh. The only song I liked was completely sampled from Serge Gainsbourg
This had some good beats and was a kool vibe but can't say it was particularly memorable. Probably wouldn't seek it out to listen to again but definitely enjoyed it.
New album and new music for me. There were some good surprises on this album. I added "My Mate Paul", and "Don't Die Just Yet" into my personal playlist. I really wish I could cut out the dialogues, and the shorter tracks. Let's Get Killed could possibly have been a 4 star album that I would want to come back to if the dialogues weren't included, but that is not the album that Holmes recorded. Does this sink the album to 2 stars? I REALLY want to skip the spoken dialogue recordings. I guess I'll compromise with 3.
Ganz cool als wirkliches Hintergrund-Album. Es "groovet" eher also auf Dauer einfach nicht besonders interessant aber voll solide für das was es ist, krass dass davon früher zwei Song in den UK-Charts waren. 6/10
Ich glaube ich werde dieses Album meinem Papa empfehlen.
Fashion show music again...
Good, but not much stuck out to me. Favorites: "Let's Get Killed", "Gritty Shaker", "Rodney Yates"
Little bit odd but had some good grooves. Weird electro hip hop?
Very 1990s big beat sound, but very good fun albeit with some sweary NYC interviewees! Fun.
It was pretty cool and had some real vibes, but I had it on in the background and nothing necessarily jumped out at me.
Hmm, I like to think that I remember this era pretty well but I'd never heard of this artist or album. The music was decent - it was like a soundtrack for a movie set in NYC - but I'm not sure of the criteria for inclusion on this list.
Electrónica. No tan malo como se podría esperar.
I didn't hate it, would listen to it again. Seems very specific to the era in which it was created.
As I’m listening to Rodney Yates I’m thinking — this has an Ocean’s Eleven (2001) vibe… sure enough, David Holmes is all over that soundtrack.
Sounds like a 00-a film soundtrack
ok
Instrumental prawie murzynski, bo trip hop stworzony przez wyspiarza z belfastu Davida Holmesa, ktory jednak brzmi zadziwiajaco hamerykansko, przyczyna tego jest to, ze inspiracja do plyty byla wycieczka do hameryki, stolicy murzynskosci, wiec nowego jorku, stad rowniez sam tytul krazka, lets get killed, bo gdy roamujesz bronksowe getta z drogim sprzetem audio nie trudno zostac za niego zabitym, wiec luzny koncept tworzy sie preaktycznie sam za sprawa samplowanych postaci getta i brzmienia miasta, album ma prawie rowna godzine i podzielony jest na 13 trakow, z ktorych najbardziej zwraca na siebie uwage radio 7 przez zsamplowany motyw klasycznego bonda, poza nim na plejke dodalem jeszcze rodney yates, ktory jest utrzymany w zdecydowanie szybszym tempie niz reszta plyty, ktora moze aspirowac nawet do miana downtemo jako glownego stylu, no i jeszcze tytulowy lets get killed, ktory swietnie oddaje klimat suspensu walki o zycie na nieznanych ulicach obcego miasta, jestem zaskoczony, ze tak rowny albumik utrzymany w klimatach okolo hip hopowych przywedrowal od dja z belfastu
Loops of mediocre beats. Nothing that was over the top and my toe hasnt tapped on one single single song yet. Its just trying.
Not my bag, but interesting to listen to.
Aardige beats soms, maar verder niet heel interessant. Ik vind het allemaal wat lafjes op een paar nummers na. Mijn favorieten zijn "Gritty Shaker" en "Radio 7". ***
It makes for good background music.
Not usually my thing, but enjoyed some of it, the conversation preamble at the start of tracks is annoying.
Seemed mostly like background music to me. 0RS
6/10
I like this style of music on occasion and this is an album of the genre I like. I like the concept behind it and the tracks were easy to work to.
Kind of like a soundtrack to a movie. Background music really. Best Tracks: My Mate Paul; Radio 7; Don't Die Just Yet
I'm a big fan of David Holmes work on the "Ocean's" movies, so when I saw this album come up, I knew I was in for a treat. This album almost feels like a movie within itself, the tellings of the lower class of NYC and the diverse scenes that make up their landscape. You get the dialogue snippets from unusual characters, and dance beats that breath life like Time Square itself. Thinking of this as a film score certainly enhances your experience with the record even if electronica isn't your wheelhouse, much like it isn't mine. Having a 007 Theme remix in there certainly helps too! Overall though, it's not something I would listen to recreationally. Favorite Song: My Mate Paul Least Favorite: Caddell Returns
-I like the rock vibes in the bass and guitar in "Don't Die Just Yet" -It was quite good. A strong 3. Nothing really compels me to go listen again though, which holds it back from being a 4
Decent background music. Nothing special or fancy here.
nice but a bit repetitive
Rating: 5/10 Best songs: Radio 7
An album full of one song.
interesting
VAMOS A VER PELÍCULAS DE TARANTINO
Niet geheel mijn ding.
Iznice
Not a genre I’m familiar with but enjoyed it nonetheless. An atmospheric and largely enjoyable range of tracks set against narrative that paints an engaging and sometimes troubling NY backdrop
I liked this album quite a bit. Weirdly, it gave me almost Khraungbin vibes