Search - 808 State :: 808 88 98

A review of a pioneering band's inconsistent singles history

08/24/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"808 State are undoubtedly one of the most talented and influential bands to emerge from the electronic music scene. At the time they released the Ex:El album, they seemed unstoppable, creating quality music that was popular as well. But their popularity has plummeted over the years, and this singles collection shows why. It begins with the much-copied "Pacific," a mellow, atmospheric house track that remains a classic today. A handful of brilliant early singles follow:"Cubik" with its mesmerizing synth riff and rock guitar, "Lift" featuring offbeat Muzak strings, and the melodic "Olympic." But 808 State soon came to rely too heavily on guest vocalists and obvious samples. This CD does offer the excellent "Plan 9," one of the best cuts from the underappreciated "Gorgeous" album, but the second half of this collection is weak. Of the three vocal cuts from "Don Solaris," only "Azura" featuring Louise from Lamb works. And the new cut "Crash" is forgettable. Luckily, there's a great 98 version of "Pacific" and an ok update of "Cubik" to finish the album. A Singles Collection, then, but not a "Best Of" there's still enough great material here to justify purcashing 88:98, especially if you're new to the band."

Great group, OK anthology

Supabowl | Chicago, IL USA | 04/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I came at this the opposite way of 90% of 808 State's fans. I picked this one up mostly by chance the year it came out, having never heard anything by them. What did I think of it? Well, today I own eight other 808 albums and a single, so you figure it out.A group this good deserves a great best of. This might not be a great best of, but that doesn't stop the material from impressing. 808 State's rhythmic complexities and inventiveness are mind-boggling. The group has been that way from the beginning, and they still are. They were one of the first groups to incorporate vocalists into their tracks, and they're still one of the few who can build inventive pieces around those vocalists instead of just putting echoing songstress hooks to trance tracks. "Ooops," with Bjork, is spellbinding and a decade ahead of its time. True, some of the earlier tracks are a touch dated and except for "Crash" there's nothing really new on this album. So if you're already a dedicated 808 State fan, there's not much point to this release, but if you're looking for a starting point, buy this disc. It's not a classic, but the stuff on it is."

A CD that grows on me everytime I listen

Chad Taylor | Houston, Tx United States | 01/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album in 97, and like it better now than when I first bought it. I think it takes time to appreciate it because it has so many things going for it at once. I am just rediscovering this album after I put it away after three years. People think "Pacific 707" is the best song on here, but it's not. "Cubik" is very good just listening to it on a rainy night with or without a party. It's tune is so metal groovy, with a touch of savvy. (It's not too metal, though.) "In Yer Face" is wholesome and very original. "Olympic" is a B+ with good synths and beats. "Lift" is a definite favorite! "Plan 9" is an ode to the Spanish guitar, but it isn't cheesy--it works well. I like "Bond" because it has a very unique, dark and shady quality to it. My all time favorite on this album is "OOops" with Bjork. This song is rich with a lot of flava. This was the first 808 State album I bought. I bought Don Solaris, but that was not as good. The unique thing about 808 is that they do their own thing with abandon. I usually listen to house music, hip hop and pop, and some R&B, but this album makes me give mad respect to electronica. Thanks to those brothers across the Atlantic. Peep this album, and don't forget they have others out there."