Arizona Daily Wildcat

The Prodigy - Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned

• 23rd September 2004
• Djamila Noelle Grossman

It took a long time for The Prodigy to go from "Firestarter" to "Spitfire," the new album's first track.

Seven years have passed since they burned the world's eardrums with Fat of the Land, and everybody is going to wait for the bitch to be smacked up when listening to Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned.

Liam Howlett, the head of the band, wrote the whole album himself.

The other two prodigies, Keith Flint and Maxim, don't appear at all. Instead, Oasis' Liam Gallagher, Kool Keith, Twista, the Ping Pong Bitches and actress Juliette Lewis, among others, take over the vocals.

The result is a mixture of dance and break beats and electro-rock with hip-hop elements.

It is dirty, it is loud, and damn, it's got the beats.

It is still definitely Prodigy that's playing here, and every greasy bass drum, rusty snare and nifty break will make electro-beat lovers dig this album.

Middle Eastern melodies are scattered throughout and Howlett's intention to make it sound sexy is definitely met.

"Hotride" starts out with a belly-dance rhythm, which is then met by a mind-blowing break beat.

Lewis' voice contrasts between sweet and rough, though she mostly yells her lungs out.

"Action Radar" is a dance track with raspy raps and softly-sung hooks.

Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned makes it finally cool again to crank up the car stereo and let everyone know which CD they need to buy next.

8/10

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• Review
• Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned