Reviews (page 5 of 14)
This was almost a 5 and I was shocked by that.
Very good...
nice
I listened to this a couple hundred times BITD and never knew the wall of LPs wasn't the proper cover art
Fatboy is f**ing and f**ing and f**ing in heaven.... Epic album. Takes me me back to grade 12. And then the Big Beach Boutique II concert, while I was living in Brighton, just around the corner from Norman's studio. This album, along with Dig Your Own Hole, Homework and Orbital's Insides are what first got me into electronic music, which was initially a hard sell as I was mostly into rock and rap. Love Norman's rap and funk sensibilities. The high points are super high on this album, aka Funk Soul Brother, Praise You, and really the first few tracks. There is some filler in the middle though, which is why I dropped this down to a four.
Quality, vibey houseish Best song - Praise You
7/10 - It was a pretty fun listen. A lot of cool electronic sounds. A lot of the songs were repetitive but that is a little expected for older electronic songs.
A lot better than most of the other 90s-2000s electronica/techno on the list
I didn't expect something like this, but it surprised me pleasantly. I even saved it to hear it later.
Epic mood-setter. Great vibes.
Had me diving off the balcony tbh
I've also seen the videos :)
i was doing the christopher walken shuffle with spike jones in front of the cinema if you kno what i mean #dvdwatcher
3,5
Oooooo yeah! Takes me back. Love how the album ends.
Pretty banging tbf enjoyed the classics
I know this album very well. It was a album I liked testing my bass on whatever sound system I had at the time (When I was young like Kalifornia or Love island (it builds to the mother load)). I think by this point I had a subwoofer setup. I didn’t like fatboy slim when I first experienced it. It grew on me however and at the time so did other music like chemical brothers. 15 years old when this came out! Solid album for me and fact its outside of my normal music listening it still manages to wiggle its way in for me.
This is really good. Club/party music is not in my wheelhouse, but FBS has produced an accessible, yet really interesting, album worth of beats, riffs, and samples that are designed to keep your dance floor hopping. It’s fun & listenable, very well crafted, and showcases the artist’s talent & sharp instinct for what keeps the flow flowing. Four.
Still a banger
Basically a full album of beats. And honestly they’re really great. I just wish there was a little bit less repetition. Even just basic lyrics over some of the songs would’ve elevated this into a great album.
oh my god……the chimp is surfing!!!!
72/100. You've Come a Long Way, Baby by Fatboy Slim is a good big beat album with infectious energy. While it can feel repetitive, the beats are strong enough to keep it engaging. Overall, a fun and enjoyable listen, even if it doesn’t reinvent the genre.
Maan this was really fun. There were a bunch that i liked
Hell yeah. Consistent, groovy, garbage can drum loops, could get down to all this hard.
funky beats and great samples. what’s not to love?
I don't need a full album of this all at one time but most of these songs bop.
A welcome reprise! 3 or 4 of these songs are so woven into the fabric of British society its impossible to objective about and whilst i knew them like national landmarks i dont think. I'd ever listened to the album Turns out its relatively good. For the complainers who call it repetitive, they dont understand this type of music. It builds in waves to generate euphoric reaction and this album certainly does its job. It is a little gauche in its approach and can pander to the lowest common denominator, but when your goal is to get a sea of people dancing like loons thats ok. We have to praise you like we should.
Felt like I was losing my mind but in a good way
Big beat. This subgenre will forever hold a special place in my heart, given my age when it was popular; but as I and the world have evolved, it's just not as tangible as it once was. For one thing, this is dancing music - not casual listening music - and I do much less of the former nowadays... However, given this album's release date and purpose, I think it's fairly good. It's got exceptional mixing, some trancey rhythms, and lots of energy. All the things a good dance-oriented album should have. It's definitely not a casual listening album, though - so if that's the forum (like this challenge), then it can come across as repetitively oppressive at times. Still, for what it is when it was, I can't give it less than a 4. Oh, and a special shoutout to Praise You - that's a classic track.
Music to be strictly listened to in a field in nort-east Somerset at 3AM on a late June night
Solid most of the way through, some classic earworms, not really my genre but a good 4
This was surprisingly great. Perfect background music for work
Very fun!
Great. Fun to listen to, very upbeat but interesting.
A LOT all at once, but so many classics here. All I'm missing is Weapon of Choice.
More 90s fun!
Really fun.
Some classics here. Changed the way how DJ mixes can be for me.
Never realized that this album had a different (and very off-putting) cover in the UK. Regardless, I loved the Big Beat scene at the time and although this has aged poorly it still puts one in a pretty good mood.
quite fun tbh, liked it more than I thought I would
The last two songs are the weakest, but I’m still at 4 stars for it. I enjoyed it much more than his 1996 album. Fantastic production. Despite the genre, it still feels organic to me, no doubt a product of much of the sampling material. It’s just got a hell of a bite, and it’s still so hooky. Very happy to basically discover this one for the first time. 4/5
Super Album mit geilen Party Liedern 4/5
Fav: The Rockafeller Skank Least Fav: Fucking In Heaven Heard all of these already in nightclubs, nice surprise
slaps
Unique sounds and some good tracks.
strong nostalgia trip here. kinda surprised my kid liked it too, so there's some staying power here.
Give the poor man a break. 4.5 big beats
A banger of an album. Very nice background music with not much to think about. Simple beats yet it works.
I enjoyed it surprisingly much!
lucy said that a lot of this sounds like the part of a 90s family movie where the chimp/dog/animal they’ve met starts doing a bunch of crazy tricks on the ski slope/court/skate ramp/computer
Thick sound, juicily melodic and real
Fun and harmless. Occasionally interesting
I can only listen to Fatboy Slim in small doses. Listening to the whole album in one sitting gets really overwhelming. Great music but, I need to listen to other tracks between these songs.
Great start to the album
The singles from this were pretty inescapable so there's a certain amount of nostalgia. I like it more than "Better Living Through Chemistry", but less than "Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars" which doesn't appear to be on the list. Even that one would be unlikely to scrape a 5, though, Fatboy Slim is fine, but not world-shaking. Fave tracks - "Praise You" from the singles, "Love Island" from the other tracks....
Fun head bopping rave-ish club music
I enjoyed this. Solidly 7/10 for me. Album title is prescient as I’ve gained some appreciation for electronic music in the year since I started this project. I used to pretty much rate electronic albums 1 or 2 pretty much by the end of their opening tracks. I would be curious to see if I still feel that way towards some of those records. This one has some songs that were popular in the mainstream, so there is some familiarity here that helps my rating.
Most of the time this was a lot of fun. A little of the time this was obnoxious
Everything fatboy slim is good. There is kind of no bad song. They have a unique electronic vibe.
It's a trip! It's got a funky beat, and I can bug out to it!
A bit too quirky/annoying for me, but some amazing big beats in there!
Like many of these albums lately, not my usual thing but you can't deny how well this is put together.
Praise You rewired my brain as a preteen Love Island rips
Not really made to be sat down and listened to, but that made it kind of interesting too. Some great, dumb big beats, loads of fun in the right context. But a lot of filler over the hour too. Big album in terms of where dance music was at the time, which made me wonder about rounding up from the 3.5 it's getting...
instantly flashes back to a movie where a bunch of cool teens are synchronized line dancing to Funk Soul Brother at a prom or something?
I hear your complaints about some of the repetitiveness, but as a someone listening to this for the first time im Ok with it. Would I listen to this over and over? no, definitely not. Are the songs fun? Yes. Praise you avicci levels of hook and feel. He's not hitting a home run but he sure aint striking out. I've learned to appreciate a good sample.
I surprised myself and liked this one.
Many classics from Fatboy slim, solid album
Classic hits and I mostly enjoyed the 'others' more than i might have initially expected. I will say some of the early techno sounds/tropes have not aged the best
Awesome album except for one annoying song
I really like it actually- pleasantly surprised. While I do wish there was more lyrics the beats bang so hard. Would like a rapper to sample some
7/10
Iconic.
Fun EDM album. Not too overly repetitive or monotonous.
Some big tunes here! I knew half of them, even though I only initially recognised 3 songs from the tracklist The non singles seemed more like filler, and were a bit long. But I still enjoyed the album I saw Fatboy Slim at a festival years ago, but forgot all about it until listening to this. Instant flashbacks of getting sunburnt and drinking cider in a field. Good times 4 ⭐️
I cannot remember what got me initially interested in Fatboy Slim. I think Soul Surfing was music in a commercial and Gangster Trippin' was in the soundtrack for the movie Go. The music really resonated with me. This album is brilliant and I couldn't even tell you how many times I've listened to it. You should listen to it now! Fun fact, Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook) played bass for the Housemartins before becoming Fatboy Slim.
I really liked this one. Brought back some nostalgic memories of trying to shred "the rockafeller skank" on just dance.
awesome
Awesome electronic jams that I hadn't listened to in a while.
Gute Banger vom Fat Boy.
reminds me a lot of my childhood strangly enough.
Surprisingly good
A very fun version of the avalanches. Not saying the avalanches are not fun but I'd say this is a perfect time capsule of what the 90's were
Such a fun lesson. I forget how much I like fat boy slim songs are totally going into the rotation
perhaps a lot of the repetitive beats and crazy loud noises should bother me here, but they really didn't a whole lot. maybe a little. but the album is pretty fun and doesn't take itself seriously, which i appreciated. i wasn't expecting much out of this one but it was pretty enjoyable!
I bought this album many years ago. I saw the clip for The Rockafeller Skank on MTV at the time. I found the music a bit exhausting, but the clip was very funny. Later, I also saw Right Here, Right Now on MTV. I was thrilled, the piece is one of my favorites and is played again and again. Yes, the music is repetitive, but I like that. So I was looking forward to listening to this album again. Well, I guess my taste has changed a bit. Towards the end of the album, I didn't feel like listening to it any more. But it was still nice to hear it again. 4/5
Kick ass as usual
very entertaining, some bops in there
good, but no song catched me like the first one. could be because im listening at work.
Right about now
Some real head bangers here, but I still only come back for the hits
I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Definitely one of the better albums of that kind of music.
Never listened to Fatbot Slim and didn't know he was responsible for Right Here, Right now and Rockafeller Stank (didn't know it was called that). Liked it, probably wouldn't spin it too often.
A cold Monday morning was probably the worst time to listen to this album and may have cost it the extra star
An exceptional dance album
Solid electronic album, it may have aged poorly somehow, but I find the music by Fatboy Slim really "fun" (and this is an adjective that is not often used to describe music).
Amazing, especially considering it's a single person. You've come a long way baby.
He sehr nöch amene 5i für mich. Finds sehr sehr geil
ich kenn ihm de right here! recht geil eigentli meeega 90er. schono repetitiv aber s goht au mega los. aaah rockafeller skank isch das mit funk soul brother. au en banger eigentli. det wos halb so schnell wird aso die zweit hälfti vom song isch huuuere streng. fucking in heaven isch chli viel findi. gangster trippin het meega cooli samples. build it up tear it down isch chli langwilig. s tönt mit de ziit eeh alles irgendwie glich. californiaaa 🤙 soul surfing isch wieder chli cooler geils soul sample. nocher breakbeat time. youre not from brighton findi sehr sehr streng. aso au recht cool aber jo sehr repetitiv. fuck praise you isch seeehr geil. hani kennt. sehr sehr geil mega feelgood. love island isch wieder sehr sehr dumm. goht aber recht ab. über gwüssi streckene ischs langwilig gsi s album well zu eintönig und afoch nervös aber wenns funktioniert isches soooo geil
Somehow I know a lot of Fatboy Slim songs when I didn’t think I’d ever heard more than two or three. Had a blast listening to this. Fun mashups and grooves. 4.5/5
What can you say. An album I can listen while wandering round the house, as I’ve committed so much of it to memory.
Enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. Obviously I knew all of the classics, but there was something particularly great about listening to the album in full. Glad I did!
Right about now right about now right about nowwwwww
Way more enjoyable than I remember, I figured this was going to be an album I liked as a kid and hated as an adult but its better than I thought. The hits do the heavy lifting here but the rest isnt bad, a little repetitive sure, but thats a hallmark of the genre.
Really fun album that’s buoyed by great singles. Praise You is a 5/5 on its own!
ein weiterer oldtimer aus meiner plattensammlung! reingehört und hängengeblieben aus interesse, was norman cook aka fatboy slim nach housemartins, beats international und freak power als nächstes ”bringt”. ja, house/dance-lastig, aber immer wieder frisch und frech.
Ja, die Platte gefällt mir. Guter Mix aus tanzbarer Musik und Einsatz von Technik. Erstaunlich, dass dafür ein Atari ST und Floppy Disks genügten.
A bit bubblegum but quite entertaining, especially the 3-4 bangers 3.8
Fatboy Slim? Fatboy Slay!
Right Here Right Now // The Rockefeller Skank // Gangster Trippin // Praise You // Love Island 4.5/5
Not very daring as an album but I enjoy the beats. 7.5/10 Favorite songs: Right Here Right Now, Rockafeller Skank, Gangster Tripping, Kalifornia, Love Island Would I listen to it again? Maybe once in a while when I need something that makes me move.
Echt wel nice eigg
Not really a fan of this genre, but I did enjoy this. Absolutely belongs on this list.
Some impressive tracks take the album to a higher level.
Also ich war positiv überrascht wie viele Songs ich doch davon kannte. Es hat echt Spaß gemacht zu hören obwohl die letzten Songs sich sehr in die Länge gezogen haben. Dennoch war es sehr cool auch mal zu erfahren woher die Songs und Originals kommen.
Il y a des disques qui sont des marqueurs temporels, des bornes kilométriques indélébiles plantées au bord de l'autoroute de nos vies. Ils ne sont pas forcément les plus profonds, les plus intelligents ou les plus émouvants, mais leur simple évocation nous replonge instantanément dans une époque, une odeur, une sensation. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" de Fatboy Slim est l'un de ces monolithes. Un monolithe de pur plaisir régressif, un monument élevé à la gloire de l'hédonisme décérébré. Et putain, qu'est-ce que c'était bon. Nous sommes en 1998, le cadavre du Grunge est encore chaud mais commence à sentir, la Britpop est en pleine gueule de bois carabinée et cherche désespérément un taxi pour rentrer chez elle. Le Trip-Hop de Bristol, bien que génial, commence à tourner un peu en rond dans son propre brouillard de fumée. Et là, débarque un type, Norman Cook, l'ex-bassiste des très propres sur eux The Housemartins (oui, oui, le groupe de Paul Heaton, celui des pulls jacquard et des mélodies pop parfaites), qui balance à la face du monde un disque qui sent la bière tiède, la sueur de club et la connerie extatique. À l'époque, derrière le comptoir de mon magasin de disques, je voyais le truc arriver avec un mélange de fascination et de snobisme. Le "Big Beat", comme on l'appelait, un genre musical dont le QI moyen devait frôler celui d'une huître sous anxiolytiques. Des grosses rythmiques piochées chez les rois du breakbeat, des samples évidents comme le nez au milieu de la figure, des scratchs, des slogans débiles répétés jusqu'à l'hypnose. Sur le papier, c'était tout ce que le fan de post-punk, de post-rock et de néofolk que j'étais pouvait détester. C'était la fête pour les nuls, le fast-food de la musique électronique. Et pourtant... Et pourtant, il fallait être sourd, ou d'une mauvaise foi à faire passer un politicien pour un saint, pour ne pas reconnaître l'efficacité redoutable de la machine. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" n'est pas un album, c'est une putain de machine de guerre festive. Un rouleau compresseur conçu pour anéantir toute velléité de réflexion et transformer n'importe quel salon en dancefloor improbable. L'album n'essaie jamais d'être autre chose que ce qu'il est : une collection de bombes soniques. Il n'y a pas de message, pas de concept fumeux, pas d'état d'âme. Juste une envie irrépressible de faire bouger les culs et c'est peut-être ça, le coup de génie de Norman Cook. Là où des artistes comme Aphex Twin ou Underworld (que j'adore, ne vous méprenez pas) construisaient des cathédrales électroniques complexes et labyrinthiques, Fatboy Slim, lui, a construit un hangar à patates géant avec une boule à facettes et un bar à volonté. Et devinez où les gens se sont le plus amusés ? Inutile de détailler les morceaux, ils sont gravés dans l'inconscient collectif. "The Rockafeller Skank" et son "Right about now, the funk soul brother" samplé jusqu'à l'écoeurement, mais qui fonctionne à chaque putain de fois. "Praise You" et son piano de gospel lo-fi, son clip amateur génial qui a retourné MTV, une ode à la joie simple, sans fard, presque punk dans son dénuement. "Right Here, Right Now" et son envolée lyrique piquée à je ne sais plus qui, qui a servi de bande-son à absolument TOUT pendant deux ans : pubs pour voitures, reportages sportifs, génériques télé... On en pouvait plus, mais secrètement, on tapait du pied. C'est un disque qui ne s'écoute pas, il se subit. Il vous agresse joyeusement, il vous rentre dedans avec la subtilité d'un supporter de foot anglais un soir de victoire. Les boucles sont pachydermiques, les scratchs sont grossiers, les idées sont d'une simplicité biblique. Et c'est précisément pour ça que ça marche. Norman Cook ne cherche pas à impressionner, il cherche l'efficacité maximale. Il pique un riff de guitare ici, une ligne de basse funky là, un slogan crétin ailleurs, et il passe le tout à la moulinette de ses machines pour en faire un carburant de fête hautement inflammable. Alors, est-ce que c'est un grand album au sens noble du terme ? Est-ce que c'est une oeuvre qui va changer votre perception de la musique ? Non, bien sûr que non. Ma note de 4 sur 5 reflète bien ça car ce n'est pas "Disintegration" ou "Spiderland". Il n'y a pas de quoi se taper la tête contre les murs en pleurant sur la condition humaine. Mais sa place dans les "1001 Albums" est tout sauf volée. Pourquoi ? Parce que "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" est un instantané parfait de son époque. C'est la bande-son d'une fin de siècle un peu idiote, insouciante, qui voulait juste oublier le bordel ambiant en dansant sur des rythmes primaires. C'est l'album qui a fait entrer le Big Beat dans tous les foyers, qui a prouvé qu'on pouvait faire de la musique électronique qui soit à la fois populaire, fun et un minimum crédible. C'est un plaisir coupable, une régression jouissive. Un disque qui ne vous rendra pas plus intelligent, mais il peut, l'espace d'une heure, vous rendre un peu plus heureux. Et parfois, c'est tout ce qu'on demande à la musique.
Nice Electronic music
Some of the songs are great but they also get very repetative.
8/10
Pretty damn good! The ones I really liked were the ones I already knew were bangers - Right Here Right Now, Rockafeller Skank, Praise you - and I really enjoyed Gangster Tripping too. The rest of it was nothing astounding but all solid.
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby" ist ein energiegeladenes Album, das den Geist der späten 90er-Jahre perfekt einfängt. Mit Hits wie "The Rockafeller Skank", "Praise You" und "Right Here, Right Now" hat Fatboy Slim nicht nur die Clubszene, sondern auch die Popkultur stark beeinflusst. Das Album bietet eine Mischung aus elektronischen Beats, funkigen Samples und wuchtigen Basslinien, die es zu einem unverkennbaren Klassiker machen. Es ist ein Album, das sowohl tanzbar als auch experimentell ist, und es hat den Big-Beat-Sound in den Mainstream gebracht. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" hat seinen festen Platz in der Geschichte der elektronischen Musik und bleibt auch heute noch ein einflussreiches und mitreißendes Werk.
90s party Some bangers on here
I feel like I already know 70% of this album, without having listened before. Lots of fun. Great cover art.
Det er er festlig omgang. Jeg blev sendt tilbage, og fik hørt det hele 2 gange. Flere bangers på en jeg havde regnet med.
4/5 Although obviously the hits slap, as well as some other great moments, there are some passengers in the tracklist that are just ok, and too long. Overall, however, there are enough standout tracks to make this a great album. Right Here Right Now 5/5 (FAV) Rockafeller Skank 3.5/5 Fucking in Heaven 4.5/5 Gangster Trippin 3/5 Build It Up, Tear It Down 2/5 (LEAST FAV) Kalifornia 4/5 Soul Surfing 4.5/5 You're Not from Brighton 5/5 Praise You 5/5 Love Island 3.5/5 Acid 8000 3.5/5
Pretty funny to me that we had another Fatboy Slim album and I started by saying "I know the hits and they aren't here." Well, we found them. This one's got the big ones, and it's just a great ride. Sonically feels like a perfect album to soundtrack a JSRF game. "Rockafeller Skank" is a classic from my youth, as is "Praise You," we love that one too. Hadn't heard "In Heaven" before but that's a certified jam too. Great album! Favorite tracks: Praise You, Rockafeller Skank, In Heaven, Right Here Right Now, You're Not From Brighton. Album art: Apple music has this lame cover of a bunch of shelves of records, but the OG of the fat boy with a shirt that says "I'm #1 So Why Try Harder" is so epic, such a classic. 4/5
verrrry what I think of 90s sounds; obvi knew some of the songs, but definitely found a couple others to add to some party playlists, happy listen
Awesome beats, especially if you consider how it was made. In 2024 this would be much easier to make, but back then he had to cut and paste it all using a sampler, which is a PITA to work with. Impressive albeit a little repetitive.
'The Rockafeller Skank' used to be one of my most hated songs in the 90s, mostly because it was way overplayed on the radio. Remembering that, I fully believed I'd hate this album, but surprisingly... I did not. It was funky, at times silly, but mostly really fun to listen to. I just wish it wasn't so bloated; the length of several songs could've easily been cut down by 30%. Still, I had a really great time listening to this. 4 stars
I have a bit of a nostalgia for this kind of music, and have also started to enjoy the kind of meditative quality of the repetitive nature of the music
Big, beaty tour de force. A couple of absolutely slamming tunes in Right Here Right Now and Praise You and Gangsta Trippin also good. Also love the skewiff funky vibe of Fucking in Heaven. Middle stretch of the album is less poppy and more of a clobbering dance workout and not as strong. The exotic Love Island and epic Acid 8000 make for a triumphant pair of closing tracks though.
Favorite Track: Rockafeller Skank Praise You Built It Up, Tear It zdiwn
Terribly fun
Know the singles but never listened to a Fatboy Slim album. Enjoyed it far more than I expected to, was expecting some generic house for the album tracks but there were loads of ideas in this. The way he samples the bits of speech/singing into ever smaller syllables gets a bit tedious but I guess he mostly pioneered this so fair play. I think if I heard almost any of these tracks on their own id really enjoy it, as a full album I'm not sure, but still surprisingly good 3.5.
A real pioneer - what I enjoyed most is he never lets you get bored of a song. Very rarely is the same 4 bars repeated, there's always some slight difference, introduction of extra beats or instruments, or manipulation of the vocals. The album starts very strong, does meander a bit, but then comes back on form towards the end. I knew all the main tracks, but none of the ones I didn't know particularly resonated with me. I think my hesitation about giving it a 5 means it must be a 4.
Kinda surprised this isn't more highly rated on this list..... It was absolutely huge in the UK. Another that doesn't translate too well across the pond? I would say it's not really my thing, but there are so many iconic tracks. There was a massive thing about it being made by one guy in his bedroom at the time. Don't think that would be that out of the ordinary now really. Right here right now, the rockafeller skank, gangster tripping and praise you are all great. The rest of it isn't bad at all either At least a 4. Probably closer to 4.5
Groovy, energetic, lively, and fun. A bit repetitive, but still enjoyable the whole way through, and a great late 90s time capsule!
“Right Now You Funk Soul Brother! Check it out now you funk soul brother!” There was a point in the late 1990s when EDM ruled the world, and Fat Boy Slim was there wearing his crown. I’m not sure who came first, FBS or Oakenfold but between the two of them they created another decade away from the grunge, Nu-Metal, singer-songwriter pop of the early 90s. Praise You and Rockefeller Skank were all over the media, and I heard Gangster Trippin on the “Go!” Movie Soundtrack. This album was more radio-friendly that his previous work but still a lot of fun!
2 Fatboy Slim albums. I swear we already reviewed this one but it must have been a different album. This has the classic Fatboy Slim tracks that are still regulars spins everywhere: "Right Here, Right Now", "Rockafeller Skank", "Gangster Trippin", and maybe the best of the bunch: "Praise You". I never though of Fatboy Slim as an "album" artist. He was always about the singles but this is a good album with several now classic tracks. (Shit, that last sentence made me feel so old.).
Good vibes, not a favourite
3.6 rounded to 4 Very listenable dance music including the cross over hit Praise You.
Not bad
Sigue soñando tan fresco como el primer día.
Very good, no snoozers
Right about now…from the first song to the last song I’m in. Goes to show one that repetition can be a good thing when mixed with talent. And the sampling throughout the album makes for a fun guessing / listening game. This could be a 5. I had just recently made the Housemartins connection and that’s cool.
Ein Klassiker.
4.0
Musically this isn’t a perfect album, but nostalgia strikes again.
7/10. It's repetitive, but the mixing is really cool. :)
OK I like this one. The singles are bangers, and the rest of the album goes alright too
Daft Punk if they ate McDonalds
Fun aka ACIIIIIDDDDD. I remember hearing the big songs from this album on tv/radio/whatnot back when it was released and it was enjoyable, but for whatever reason I did not buy the album. Most of it still sounds pretty good. The overall vibe I got from this album is montage soundtrack with Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright. Which is a good thing.
You've Come a Long Way, Baby by Fatboy Slim is a vibrant testament to Norman Cook's musical enthusiasm and innovative sampling. The album's standout tracks, Gangster Trippin and Praise You, effectively blend various genres, showcasing Cook's adeptness at creating catchy, memorable tunes. While not typically a fan of this genre, I found this album surprisingly accessible and engaging. Initially, I dismissed it, feeling overwhelmed by the market's saturation with big beat and electronic music. However, a closer listen reveals the craftsmanship and creativity that sets it apart. Cook's previous musical projects inform this work, but it ventures into new, refreshing territory. His infectious energy permeates the album, making it a unique entry in the late '90s music scene. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 6 STAND OUT TRACK - Gangster Trippin
This album shows a real evolution in house electronic music could be taken seriously. Not only are the songs catchy, but they play with motifs and often feature a considerable amount of theme and variation. It’s not just a handful of samples played the same way for 3-7 minutes at a time, and I think that makes it stand out against the bleeps and bloops that came before it.
It is what it is. And it's still pretty fun
Super fun. I'm not sure that you MUST to listen to, but it is a great dance record
Not my musical cup-o-tea, but no denying Right Here, Right Now, The Rockefeller Skank, Gangster Trippin', and Praise You are straight up bops. 3.75/5
Lots of classics on this one album!
Classic stuff!
After lamenting last week that better living through chemistry isn't as good as you've come along way baby, I've had You've Come a Long Way Baby by Fatboy Slim. I still think I'm right and this is a lot better, I do agree that it can get very repetitive at times and I'm not a fan of a few songs as it feels like the drag on too long, but still good stuff and a 4
Definitely the best of Fatboy Slim, like taking a time machine to the late 90s
Fun! I had never heard it before in its entirety and it was a fun listen.
Iconic album. Like all good electronic music, it's just a little annoying.
This still slaps. I had a lot of fun listening to this - however, some of the songs dragged on a bit and I found myself feeling frustrated by the constant repetitions.
More hits on it than i remembered like right here right now and funk soul brother. Kinda need to be in the mood for the album lol
Serious college flashbacks. This album is a lot of fun.
I was in my final year of primary school when this album dropped. It was EVERYWHERE. It was inescapable. It was a totally new sound, blending genres, subverting tropes. The "electronic" music I'd grown up on was Darude and Sash!. I had not had much exposure to hip hop. Maybe this album isn't quite as revolutionary as it initially seemed but I don't think it's impact can be over-stated. An extra star just for that.
I laughed out loud when I saw this was album of the day. It is fun and catchy and woke up some 90s nostalgia. Man, this does remind me why everyone knows or should know to never date a DJ though lol
Turns out repetition can be good.
90s Dance-house-techno-big beat record. All bangers. Every track danceable. Loved the looping short vocal samples and the big drop beats. Great fusion of rock, jazz and funk in some tracks. So much fun. Favorites: Rockafella skank, Gangster trippin, Kalifornia, You're not from Brighton, Praise you.
Dude really earned that parental warning label
**Album Review: "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" by Fatboy Slim** Released in 1998, "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" is the second studio album by English big beat musician Fatboy Slim, also known as Norman Cook. This album marked a significant moment in the electronic music scene, bridging the gap between underground dance music and mainstream pop culture. Here's an in-depth review focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with the pros and cons. ### Music and Production **Music:** The album is a quintessential example of the big beat genre, characterized by heavy breakbeats, acid house-inspired synthesizers, and an eclectic mix of samples. Each track is a high-energy amalgamation of various influences, from funk and hip-hop to rock and electronic dance music. 1. **"Right Here, Right Now"** - The opening track sets the tone with its pulsating rhythm and iconic build-up. The bassline is powerful, and the layering of samples creates an anthemic feel, making it a staple in both clubs and commercials. 2. **"The Rockafeller Skank"** - Perhaps the most recognizable track, this song combines a surf guitar riff, vocal snippets, and a driving beat. The repetitive "Right about now, the funk soul brother" line, sampled from rapper Lord Finesse, becomes an earworm. 3. **"Gangster Trippin"** - This track features a heavier, more aggressive beat with samples from The Art of Noise and Dust Junkys. It's a chaotic yet controlled piece that showcases Fatboy Slim's ability to blend diverse elements into a cohesive sound. 4. **"Praise You"** - A departure from the album's more intense tracks, "Praise You" offers a more soulful, gospel-infused vibe. The sample from Camille Yarbrough’s "Take Yo’ Praise" is central to its appeal, creating a warm, uplifting atmosphere. **Production:** Norman Cook's production on this album is meticulous and innovative. He demonstrates a masterful ability to manipulate samples, turning snippets of existing songs into entirely new compositions. The production quality is high, with each track featuring a rich, full sound that emphasizes the low-end frequencies essential to dance music. Cook’s use of effects like reverb, delay, and filtering enhances the dynamic range of the album, keeping listeners engaged throughout. ### Lyrics and Themes **Lyrics:** The album is not particularly lyric-focused, as is typical in the big beat genre. Instead, it relies heavily on sampled vocals. These samples, often looped and repeated, serve more as rhythmic and melodic elements than as conveyors of complex messages. For example: - **"The Rockafeller Skank"** features the repeated line "Right about now, the funk soul brother," which, while catchy, doesn’t offer deep lyrical content. - **"Praise You"** is one of the few tracks with a more coherent lyrical message, centered around gratitude and positive affirmation. **Themes:** The overarching theme of the album is hedonistic celebration. It encapsulates the late 90s party culture, where the emphasis was on having a good time, dancing, and enjoying the moment. Tracks like "Gangster Trippin" and "Build It Up - Tear It Down" exemplify this with their relentless energy and upbeat tempos. Another theme is nostalgia, as seen in the use of samples from older songs. Cook’s ability to repurpose these samples creates a bridge between past and present musical eras, giving the album a timeless quality. ### Influence and Legacy "You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby" played a crucial role in bringing electronic music to a wider audience. It was a commercial success, with several singles charting globally. Its influence can be seen in various aspects: 1. **Mainstream Acceptance** - The album’s success helped to legitimize electronic music within mainstream pop culture, paving the way for future electronic artists to achieve similar recognition. 2. **Sampling Techniques** - Cook's innovative use of sampling inspired many producers. His method of blending disparate samples into cohesive tracks showcased the creative potential of the technique. 3. **Cultural Impact** - Songs like "Praise You" and "The Rockafeller Skank" became cultural touchstones, frequently used in films, commercials, and TV shows, embedding them in the public consciousness. 4. **Big Beat Genre** - The album solidified the big beat genre's place in music history. While the genre was already gaining traction, "You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby" brought it to the forefront, influencing contemporaries and new artists alike. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Production** - Norman Cook's production techniques are groundbreaking. His skillful manipulation of samples and creation of intricate, danceable beats set a high standard in the electronic music genre. 2. **Eclectic Sound** - The album’s diverse range of influences, from funk to rock to hip-hop, makes it a rich auditory experience. Each track offers something unique, keeping the listener engaged. 3. **High Energy** - The relentless energy throughout the album makes it perfect for parties and clubs. Tracks like "Right Here, Right Now" and "The Rockafeller Skank" are designed to get people moving. 4. **Cultural Relevance** - The album has left a lasting impact on popular culture, with several tracks becoming iconic in their own right. Its influence is still felt in electronic music today. **Cons:** 1. **Repetitive Elements** - The heavy reliance on looping samples can become monotonous for some listeners. The repetitive nature of tracks like "The Rockafeller Skank" might not appeal to those looking for more lyrical or melodic diversity. 2. **Niche Appeal** - While the album was a commercial success, its primary appeal lies within the dance music community. Listeners who prefer more traditional song structures and lyrical depth might find it less accessible. 3. **Era-Specific Sound** - Some aspects of the production are very much of their time. The big beat style, while influential, might sound dated to modern listeners accustomed to contemporary electronic music trends. ### Conclusion "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" by Fatboy Slim is a landmark album in the history of electronic music. Its innovative use of sampling, high-energy tracks, and eclectic influences make it a standout example of the big beat genre. The album played a significant role in bringing electronic music to mainstream audiences and has left a lasting legacy in the music world. Despite some repetitive elements and its niche appeal, its cultural impact and production quality make it a timeless piece worth revisiting.
Oh this is an old favorite, I love all the mixes.
I especially like Right Here Right Now, the Rockafeller Skank, Love Island
This is specifically what I didn't like or understand about electronic music when I was growing up and taking cues from my older brother about what I was allowed to like and listen to.
90s jams at their finest.
Reviewed the album on a walk with the dogs and I feel about it like I did when it was first released two or three good songs that don’t burrow into your brain and get annoying. His later collaborations are better and don’t turn off people with anxiety where the repetitive beats and phrases don’t overwhelm.
yes, great boy
Very much of its time, this was the sounds of the summer of 1998 for me, but 25 years later (almost) I was fully expecting it to have aged badly, but by the time I got to the fourth track, "Gangster Trippin", I was fully invested and chair boogying... It's a layered cake of repetitive banging beats, pitched sequenced sounds, repetitive sampled vocals, I can certainly appreciate the craft that went into it, moreso that it was done without the modern tools people take for granted, I mean he produced it using C-Lab Creator on an Atari ST that was already pretty old by 1998 standards (watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLjgXPDzeZo to see how homebrewed his studio was). Nostalgia ain't what it used to be, but I enjoyed this trip down memory lane, though it does get a little weak in the back end aside from "Praise You".
Praise You is a top 10 music video
De fleste af numrene kunne være godt være op til et minut kortere, men langt de fleste af dem er kæmpe bangers alligevel
Fed plade. Stort set alle dem man kender. I flere af sangene lød det som om min hjerne gik i stykker - på en god måde!
Really good songs Some aren't tho.
AlienSpin - Track1 AlienOverheat/AlienGlitch - Track2 AlienDance - Track6 and +
This album is a trip and can take you anywhere, no passport needed! 4/5
- very enjoyable I love the dj sound - the songs were catchy - good gaming music
Well, I'm already familiar with Fatboy Slim as a big-beat producer, particularly for the songs "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You" from this album that I've heard on alternative radio. Needless to say, the rest of the album is of similar quality to those two tracks. This is a very electronic album, where Slim experiments with beat loops, samples, and track manipulation to create fresh rhythms to groove to. Sure it's a bit repetitive and long, but that comes with the territory of the big-beat genre. If that's not your cup of tea, I get it. For everyone else, give this a shot.
Classic, love it
The Rockafeller Skank, Right Here, Right Now and Praise You… some of the best 90s tracks all on one album. And the ones I’m less familiar with are really fun too. Go watch Spike Jonze’s Praise You music video if you haven’t, absolute treat.
Cracking album, full of bangers and very enjoyable even for somebody who isn't usually fond of this genre of music.
Very enjoyable
"Here we go" i thought, another fucking album which samples shit to hell and back. Just what i need after a few mediocre hip hop albums. Im not sure what it is, but sampling should be outlawed for many artists. Im not normally one for dance music albums either unless they are compilations. But this really hit the spot. Right here, right now. Absolute banger. Rockafeller skank, banger. Gangster tripping, banger. Praise you, absolute banger. Plenty of bangers on this album. The album starts really well, very strong and gets weaker as you go until you hit praise you. build it up, tear it down also good. Lots of stand out tracks. The samples are actually fun, catchy and make you wanna rock it a bit. Even if you didnt know who fatboy slim was, you will have heard many of these songs. Which i think is a testament to the quality. These songs have been used on adverts, TV, films, you name it. Theres at least 4 very strong singles on this album. Probably 5 imo with build it up, tear it down. The sampling on this is great. Very catchy lyrics throughout the main songs. The front cover is pretty iconic too. Overall, a very good album for me. Rating - 4/5
And I thought I would hate this album. There is something mesmerizing about it. It repeats, it can get annoying, but I enjoyed it way more than a person should be allowed.
This is the Fatboy Slim album that I was familiar with. It's got most of his/their best songs many of which still hold up today. I thoroughly enjoyed the re-listen. It's got a pretty iconic late 90's techno sound. Glad to see it represented on here. 3.53 stars
I don't remember how but I know this album really well, in spite of never having owned it. Fatboy slim wasn't the first to turn sampling into an art form in it's own right but my word did he do it well. What's amazing is that in 2024 he is still an A list DJ and people still love what he does. This is a fantastic album, can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere
banger after banger
Hmmm... Loved this album when it came out. Not listened to it for ages... Listening to it again I was not as enamoured. I guess because it's no longer as 'fresh' / I've got older... It's not bad, just didn't register as mind-blowing on a re-listen. Still a solid four though.
I always laugh when I see this album's cover, which I know isn't nice. (I'm also quite shocked that the internet has yet to identify this person from the 1983 Fat Peoples Festival in Danville, Virginia...) And I always enjoy listening to songs from this album when they show up on my playlist, as they're (to me at least) uniformly fun and driving. (I'm not at all surprised, though, that the US version of the album had a different cover, which is my personal copy's version, sadly...) I had never seen the videos for the singles on this album until now, and they're about what I expected, although I didn't expect to see the cover guy at the end of "Right Here, Right Now", and I thought the Spike-Jonze-directed/-featuring "Praise You" was truly mesmerizing. This album also evokes a very specific time and place for me, as I think the first time I heard Norman Cook's music was when I came across this wild Webbie-Award-winning site in the early 2000s which featured Fatboy Slim's and other artists' music in this weird dress-a-dancer interactive game-like thing, called "Dancing Paul". (It got created by an out-of-work web developer who wanted to teach himself how to use Flash, and amazingly it's still there and largely functional in a post-Flash-world at <https://www.dancingpaul.com/>) I know this isn't really a "great" album per se, and I'm not sure exactly whether it's fair to describe Fatboy Slim as a musician either (although Norman Cook is clearly a musical artist), but I really like this album nonetheless.
Until I listened to this album, I didn't realize I knew, and liked, quite a bit of Fatboy Slim! A couple of great dance songs with a few not-as-good beats.
Great, uplifting classic.
Great album, a defining sound of it's time
muy divertido ngl, me gustó esa mezcla muy rara de breakbeat y hiphop
I had a whole thing typed out for this but it disappeared. Sad.
I put this album off for a few days, because I wasn't looking forward to it. I found the last Fatboy Slim album to be extremely repetitive. Surprise, this one is too! But for some reason, it hit the spot today. Bangers like "Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You" added some nostalgia to the whole affair, and even the tracks I didn't know were a good soundtrack to work to. On a normal day, I'd probably give this a 3, but it gets the "good day bump".
Mesmerizing for the most part. I could have Rockafeller Skank on repeat. There's so many good songs but there's also some real duds that really brings down the album.
Old school classic to me. Some fun memories on the dance floor in the nineties
👍🏻👍🏻
This album is a fun one that brings back memories of listening to this on repeat with a portable cd player on long car trips. Rockafeller Skank, Gangsta Trippin, Praise You, and Acid 8000 are some of my favorite tracks on this albums. 3.7 stars
Not everyone's cup of tea, but a smash hit in the DJing and dance world that I am so fond of. This album exhibits how electronic music can both be subversive and mainstream at the same time. Almost all of the tracks on this album are bangers and hearing them again made me recall fondly when I was a child dancing like a maniac to "The Rockafeller Skank." I only didn't give it a 5 because it honestly doesn't age as well. Definitely a snapshot in the late 90s but unless you put it on as a soundtrack for a period piece or as background music for a trendy urban thrift store, I can see it not pleasing the people around it as readily as the other 5/5 albums I have rated on this list.
Some classic tunes -- and overall a very cohesive collection of eclectic samples and beats. Great fun!
Nostalgia!
90s classic Norman
I liked this. Remember some of these songs from the release. 3.5/5 but rating up as I’d listen again without much convincing
good vibes
Actually fun, which is not always the case for these british electronic mfs - unlike say Mylo, or the Beta Band, young boy's got hooks, and energy - like the Prodigy. Some nostalgia - I seem to remember the Rockafeller skank from a soccer video game in HS? Only downside is praise you is annoying, but catchy, and sticks.
ALL BANGERS
Banger. Made me wanna party.
I've never directly listened to Fatboy Slim, but I've definitely heard this first song before. I think they used it in some video that we watched in my Media Literacy course in college. Felt like a poor match for the subject matter (a bit too epic), but on its own the song jams. Same can be said for The Rockafeller Skank. Such a damned catchy vocal hook -- I've definitely found myself singing it randomly. The dusty drums and production feel in a similar vein to RJD2, but a bit more DnB forward. In Heaven is a wonky little rythmic hop. Easy to nod along to -- something about it makes me think this could translate easily to a Beastie Boys song. Gangster Trippin is a nice and soulful hip-hop flip that actually feels like a source of inspiration to some of the songs on the recent Danny Brown x Jpegmafia collaboration. Really dense and dusty with vocal sampling, and some references that I can trace back to Notorious B.I.G. (Gimme the Loot). I dig the deep bass and distorted electronic sounds at work on Kalifornia. I could vibe to this shit all day. Soul Surfing is part DnB and part soulful shuffle -- definitely an interesting mix. The bubbling electronic elements remind me of something else that I cannot seem to place. It has taken me literally 6 hours to listen to this album, so by no means is this a cohesively formed review. I will have to relisten tomorrow. The last 3 songs are fantastic. Praise You is the single everyone knows Fatboy Slim for. It stands alone here for its upright ambiance and actually sung vocal chorus. Love Island is kind of annoying, but something about it is infectious so I'm okay with it. And the album closes out with Acid 8000 a completely stanky electronic jam that feels like it was made for basement raves and fistfuls of E. For some reason hearing it conjures an image of a long montage of fighting vampires (a la the movie Blade). Without a relisten, this is easily in 4 territory. The sounds here are distinctly late 90s, but they have aged well. The production is clean and the sounds are well-varied over the hour+ playtime. I enjoyed the hits in isolation, but found the off-hit tracks to hold plenty of weight. Standouts were Acid 8000, The Rockafeller Skank, Kalifornia, Gangster Trippin', and Praise You.
A lot of memorable songs that I didn't know were Fatboy Slim. A lot of interesting looping techniques used here. It doesn't feel like the greatest DJing/looping, but I also think this has to be on the forefront of that technique. I am enjoying it so far, despite it's repetitive nature. Wearing headphones during the intro to Kalifornia feels like the song is inside my brain. This has enough hits and depth to cruise to a comfortable 4. Really enjoyable listen that I could see revisiting and it and I feel like this album is a good poster child for this 1001 albums list as it is a different take on traditional music.
Right Here, Right Now is such a banger to kick off. So many songs that I did not know were Fatboy Slim on this album and were all a great surpise. This is just filled with such catchy songs, and as Acid 8000 says: If this don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead. I can confirm that in fact my booty is very much alive.
Hell yeah. Pretty sure I only know Right Here, Right Now, the Rockafeller Skank, and Praise You, but they all fuck. Must've been insanely awesome to hear in 98. Just missing Weapon of Choice, which has one of the best music videos of all time. FATBOY SLIM IS FUCKING IN HEAVEN. Kalifornia, Love Island, and Acid 8000 were some new standouts to me. Could def take some ecstasy to these songs at a warehouse in the late 90's.
Still bangs, sounds fresh and his ear for a sample is near unparalleled
classic album with lots of catchy tunes. the fatboy slim is fucking in heaven is repetitive and annoying but the rest of it is solid.
A few absolute bangers, a bit repetitive at times but Cook knows what he is doing and there is a reason he was everywhere under multiple pseudonyms for a while. And an extra half star for making me revisit that ‘Praise You’ vid
Trends come and go but fatboy Is awesome
Favourite tracks: right here right now; rockafella skank; praise you; gangster trippin
Of course the singles are the best songs, but everything here is interesting and clever in some way. really nice authentic sound too.
Hazy memories of a lot of time dancing to most of the tracks on this album. Now it's more likely to be used when I'm in the gym.
Ik zou willen dat ik alleen de hits kon beoordelen, dan waren het er 5. Iets te veel matige filler.
Forgot how great this music is
It has some good songs.
Several classics make this album great. 4/5
Listened 3/8/24. A fun listen. Great beats and lots of creativity on this. SOme of the songs were just a bit too long, but that just may be my attention span.
Very vibey the second song is amazing!
Repetitive? Yea, but honestly through this whole thing i was never bored. Damn do i like fatboy slim? Embarrassing
Good times!
Praise where it’s due…
Turned 18 in 1998 and this was massive. Beyond massive. Peak lad culture era. On reflection, is it quite as ground-breaking as it seemed at the time? Probably not. But for the sheer joy of house parties where track 3 felt like a huge middle finger to "boring grown-ups" and the nostalgia of the sheer joyous build to "Right Here, Right Now", it's an easy 4.
Många klassiska låtar. Bra skit.
Great but not his best
Good album with iconic songs.
Super fun, somewhat irreverent music that you’d hear at a weird but cool kid’s house party in the 90s. I love the sound coming from the earlier electronica artists like Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, and Moby. This album was great- I’ve been a consistent fan of “Rockefeller Skank” since high school. My favorite part of the album was the intro to “Rockefeller Skank” tagged on the end of “Right Here, Right Now”. Hilarious and tasteful. “Praise You” has also been a longtime favorite of mine. You can tell that Norman has a great time making music and was very busy with big ideas in the 90s. Not sure he’s released much of impact since this album but who cares!? This is great stuff. 4 stars.
Before listening: I've only heard a few songs After listening: This was really good! Fun to listen to and was always interesting. Tempted to check out more stuff by them
Despite thinking I had just heard this artists name and none of his music this album had tons of songs/sounds I've heard before. It's used a ton in samples. Given it's age I wasn't expecting how modern it sounded. Super fun beginning to end with lots of interesting beat changes and mix ups throughout it's run.
Very fun album. Lots of really great hits on there.
Top
I had always heard *of* Fatboy Slim, but I hadn't realized I had *heard* Fatboy Slim. Is he someone I'm going to listen to when I need to relax or need to think? No. Is he great for exercising or doing physical work? Yes. I enjoyed this a whole lot more than I thought I would.
A lot of these songs are very familiar. College years and in particular and this brings back memories of architecture studio. Right here, right now and Praise You were regulars. And this is my go-to genre.
Great Dance album with some iconic songs
In general I don't like electronics, but come on. This record is great and full of bangers. It's probably as close to a 5 as any electronic record will come. Strong 4.
Liked this album. I was surprised it was '98, it sounds newer. I don't think the tracks are transcendent or anything but they definitely sound a bit timeless. I think this kind of music is perhaps being done better now but this stuff is iconic. Standout Track: Praise You
I like it. Sounds very daft punky. rhythmic and unique.
I remember buying this album when it first came out. I was never much of an electronic music fan but the singles were EVERYWHERE. It has been a couple of decades since I listened to this album and I enjoy it more now than I ever did. Some of it is nostalgia some of it is better familiarity with electronic variants and dance music. Really a solid album
This album has some pumping tracks. I like it.
It's a lot of fun. I like it
I've never been much into "beat" style music, but I thoroughly enjoyed this record. A bumpin' album overall
A mash-up of electronic dance and old school rock ‘n’ roll dance. A style of music that scored several number one hit singles in the 1980s, by artists as diverse in their artistic intentions as Art of Noise and Jive Bunny. But it wasn’t Rockafeller Skank (which samples Art of Noise’s version of Peter Gunn and resembles Jive Bunny’s That’s What I Like) that got to number 1, it was Praise You. And that song remains the standout song on the album. It’s essential to the album, gives it a bit of class.
I liked this in the 90s, but less now for some reason.. I'm officially old.
The consensus seems to be that this album has not aged well, and while I agree that it is a little too reminiscent of the general excesses of the late 90’s, I also think that it’s worth exploring why Fatboy Slim deserves a spot in the discussion of contemporary music history. It’s easy to forget, but Fatboy Slim and You’ve Come A Long Way Baby especially were incredibly popular. Off of the singles were Top 10 in the UK, the album itself reached No. 1, and in addition to the gang busters numbers, it’s got legs too: you still hear Praise You and Rockafeller Skank out in the wild. I’ve heard multiple different covers of Praise You in my lifetime. And in addition, Fatboy Slim himself is still part of a wider cultural conversation; in 2022 there was an episode of the excellent Channel 4 Sitcom Derry Girls that featured him as a major plot point. And not in a way that felt mocking either. It felt playful, the way you’d rib a genuinely important artist. And I do think genuine importance is also something that we can ascribe to Fatboy Slim. The big mainstream era of EDM was clearly inspired by his maximalist beats and minimal lyrics, and his influence as a producer of Hip-Hop has also vastly informed the current state of beat work, not just in the UK, but in the US as well. There’s a case to be made that very few artists have had the influence of Dance and Electronica that Fatboy Slim have had, and for that I do think that giving his work a listen is the least that we can do in an effort to better understand EDM and where it came from
"You've Come a Long Way, Baby" represents a pivotal moment in the history of electronic music, known for its groundbreaking contributions to the genre. This album stands out for its innovative use of sampling and production techniques, where Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) masterfully blends an eclectic mix of samples from various genres to create infectious, tracks. Hits like "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You" not only brought big beat music to mainstream audiences but also showcased the potential of electronic music to encompass a wide range of influences, making it a seminal work that influenced a generation of artists. Despite its strengths, the album faces criticism for its heavy reliance on samples, which some argue detracts from its originality. The diversity in sounds and styles, while showcasing Cook's versatility, occasionally impacts the album's cohesion, leading to a listening experience that can feel disjointed. However, these aspects do not significantly diminish the album's overall impact and appeal, particularly given its role in popularizing electronic music and its enduring presence in the cultural zeitgeist of the late '90s. The cultural impact and legacy of "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" are undeniable, capturing the essence of an era and leaving a lasting mark on the music industry. It's a testament to Fatboy Slim's skill as a producer and his ability to create a compelling musical narrative using an array of sampled sounds. While the album might not be perfect, its strengths in innovation, influence, and cultural significance rightly earn it a place among the most important electronic albums of its time.
I enjoyed this. Good beats, nice to have in the background. I recognized a couple of songs. It's repetitive, but I might play this sometime again.
Awesome. Great album
Still sounds good. Foot tappingly fun
right about now the funk soul brother. check it out now. the funk soul brother. right about now the funk soul brother. check it out now. the funk soul brother. right about now the funk soul brother. check it out now. the funk soul brother. right about now the funk soul brother. check it out now. the funk soul brother.
You could date when this music was made down to the month, it sounds so much like a quintessential late 90’s electronica raver revolution record. Those were thrilling times! The future was now. So much new music felt boundary pushing and cutting edge. I feel like that concept has sadly been lost to cheap disposable music in the 21st century. This album is rock solid. The last three songs really take you somewhere out of this world. For similar music, check out The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, Moby or Daft Punk.
Oh yeah, love me some Fatboy Slim. Was excited to see this pop up today. This is a party. There are a few tracks I don’t love, and some of the songs go on a bit long, but had a blast with it. If this don’t make your booty move…get that booty checked stat!
Classic, definitely belongs on this list
Wall to wall bangers
Bonafide classic
Kinda dated in its sound but it's decent.
אלבום מעולה
I have always loved this album. Fat Boy Slim has a fun sound.
Pretty good despite not being a big electronic fan.
This is one of those 90s albums that still resonate with me. It's not a 5 because there's one or two skips and Funk Soul Brother goes on entirely too long. But it's in general fun, danceable, relatable pop electronic.
I'll have to finish listening to this later. Didn't have time today. I love this album for the nostalgia. It brings a few good tracks on it. Overall I think 4 stars.
I had fun with this.
Early hip hop and dance combo. I liked a few songs but not all. I did like a few of the skits, like the radio call in leading into the next song
Wow -- this record was a revelation. I've certainly heard some little bits of it in a number of places (commercials for example) but never listened to any of it all the way through. It's similar to house music (which I generally hate) in some ways but much better -- great melodic hooks, funky beats, and an infectious energy that makes you want to dance. Love this album.
Bangers all the way, though it drags a little bit...
Good DJ music
Selección y conjunto de canciones de varios grupos de los ochenta y noventa de bandas muy conocidas, buen álbum Lo volveré a eschuhar
Jako dobra pozadinska glazba. Mozda vise 3.5 nego 4
Very fun album, flows together really well. I hadn't listened to most of these before.
The singles I’d heard obviously, but the whole album is an experience, really enjoyable.
Didn’t realise I’ve heard almost all the tracks on the album through tv shows or on the radio.
Pleasantly surprised!
At the time of writing, 400 albums into this journey, electronica is one of my lowest rated genres, with an average score of under 3. This jumps up to 3.5 if we're looking at the 2000s/2010s, and drops to a pitiful 2.42 if we're looking at the 90's. None of this decade's myriad subgenres- rave, techno, EDM, jungle, drum and bass, house, have worked for me so far: they seem designed for live experiences or club soundsystems rather than home listening, and the rise of the CD made everything interminably long around this time. And yet, against all odds, something about "You've Come A Long Way Baby" works for me in a way none of the other similar records have so far. After a few listens I'm raving and drooling like the (genuine) interviewee in the interlude before "The Rockafeller Skank". So, what exactly is it about Fatboy Slim's biggest of big beats that works for me? Well, in the words of "Acid 8000"'s sample: "If this don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead." "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" is utterly infectious, big and bombastic, as though Cook is revelling in the limitless possibilities of what sampling and electronica can do. Every track can be danced to, boasts a pronounced hook, superbly overblown production, and introduces enough distinct elements through its runtime to not become too repetitive. Throughout the whole package, it's as though the optimism of the 1990's (a far-off land which, incidentally, I'm too young to have any memory of) is pumping through each beat. The genre diversity from one song to another is very impressive, keeping the album fresh and engaging. "Right Here, Right Now" turns an orchestral 60's folk-rock coda into sweeping, symphonic, space-age techno. "The Rockafeller Skank" is up there with "Pulp Fiction" for making surf-rock cool again in the 90's. "Gangsta Trippin'" begins with an all-out party of a brass section, before performing a winning switch-up to some kind of tropical island jam. "Soul Surfin'" revives singing sixties soul with an excellent vocal sample. And of course, the smash-hit "Praise You" turns towards gospel. With curveballs and inventive sampling like that, I can forgive most of the "now-we're-just-going-to-repeat-the-same-hook-while-gradually-slowing-down" moments across the record… of which there are many. A large amount of the run-time is devoted to grooves being slowed down, sped up, filtered in, swept out - but the giddy joy of each and every hook lands perfectly. It only lets itself down in a couple of tracks towards the end - "You're Not from Brighton" is without much note and "Acid 8000" is a fairly run-of-the-mill, drawn out ending - but on the whole, this is a great ride. "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" is the new benchmark for 90's electronica on this list, and will take a lot to beat.
Ahead of their time
Poeeeh dit had ik nodig, dit is dus wel echt een album wat mn aandacht pakt. Right here, Right now is echt een lekkere openingsplaat, meteen daarna door naar Rockafeller Skank wat natuurlijk een echte banger is. Ken een hoop nummers van dit album al, maar ben wel benieuwd naar hoe de 'nieuwe' nummers bevallen. Californication heeft voor mij bewezen dat een paar hits nog geen goed album maken. Beetje wat die andere albums hebben met paar grote hits heeft deze ook, wel met het verschil dat de mindere nummers nog steeds erg vermakelijk zijn, ik kende Kalifornia en Soul Surfing niet bijvoorbeeld, maar vind dat echt leuke nummers! FAVO: Right Here Right now, Rockafeller Skank, Gangster Trippin, Kalifornia, Soul Surfing, Praise you
Good tracks. Iconic. Some are less charismatic but the record is great.
I once saw Fatboy Slim in concert. He didn't play a single note himself, and it was absolutely amazing. After 40 minutes I had to tap out due to overstimulation. This album is completely the same - it's awesome and way too much for me to handle, but damnit if I won't have 'Praise You' on my mind for the next week.
Fatboy Slim is nothing if not good times. Let go, down an entire pitcher and enjoy yourself!
A nice fun album. Nice to listen to a full album by Fatboy slim. 8/10
THIS IS A WALL OF SOUND
Hold up even now, 25 years later. Truly great.
Pretty huge artist in my youth though I don’t think I owned any albums by him. I think I was really into FBS just before I got into skateboarding and punk music. There are some absolute bangers in here but not a start to finish album for me.
Something I would have loved in high school. a little too repetitive and noisy for me these days. Sometimes felt like it was giving me a headache.
Sehr cooles Album im typischen Fatboy Slim Stil 2x gehört..
I once heard someone refer to big beat as firework on New Years. Here, there and everywhere but also vanished shortly after. I surprisingly found myself enjoying this. Rockafeller Skank and Right Here, Right Now are near perfect songs. Some of the middle parts and deep cuts don't really hit the same but overall a fun experience. This isn't the type of music I would play regularly, but it's fun to blast once in a while
It's fun and energetic and it has a warm nostalgic glow for me. Some tracks maybe overstay their welcome a bit, but overall I love it.