Search - Bad Boy Bill :: Behind the Decks (CD + DVD)

As true as anything

P. Yarbro | california | 12/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Three main aspects of this CD are criticized. That it's too commercial, Bill crams too many tracks onto it, and that it's over-produced to perfection. Those are all fallacious arguments. House was commercial since the beginning. Frankie Knuckles played Disco and Funk at The Warehouse, the popular music of an entire generation. A mix CD should be interesting before all else. One way to achieve this is to mix quickly, add acapellas, and scratch. Because of his extensive experience from DJ battles in the mid 80's Bill does this well. If I want to hear a track played out fully I would buy it separately. So far as the studio engineered mixing goes, believe me, he has the skills to mix like this live. The only real argument against this CD and indeed Bill himself is that it, and he, are too showy (as he always has been). Which is not a problem since he is one of the few who can back it up with both experience and skill. Simply put: If you don't like anything popular you'll hate this CD, but judging music by popularity is fallacious as well. If you know what House is meant to be you'll enjoy this."

Bad Boy Bill is the last word on house music. Understand?

Steven Ratz | Phoenix, AZ USA | 11/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just when you thought Bad Boy Bill has achieved a plateau and set the standards, daring anyone to elevate to the level that he has set, he comes out with a new release that miraculously raises the bar even higher. Thus we have Behind The Decks, his newest, most groundbreaking release yet.The mix itself is very representative of Bad Boy Bill. He's always had a certain "sound" that he's known for, and he continues that tradition here, while creating a compilation of the hottest dance and house tracks by various top producers, all expertly mixed together. In fact, many of the songs premiere for the first time anywhere on Behind The Decks. If you're a fan of his style, you'll see that he stays consistent and fulfills your expectations of him, with scratching, vocals with pimp style talking, and strong presence. Once you start listening you can't stop! It starts out surprising people, it's very powerful, and he programs the CD like a club night, rotating the energy like the professional that he is. The mix is multi dimensional, but there's no trance or "Thunderpuss sounds." It's just Bad Boy Bill doing what he's famous for, bangin' house like nobody else! It is absolutely his best CD yet.Although his mix CD alone would be more than enough to satisfy his fans, Bad Boy Bill duplicates his mix on an included DVD in 5.1 & DTS surround sound, with stunning, cutting edge graphics in a continuous video, where you'll see visions of him manipulating the dials, bodies in motion, pulsating lights, all the elements to transform your house into a club!The whole package is more like a gift pack, like a present chock full of stuff! Everything from the cool graphic design, to when you flip it open to reveal the audio mix CD mounted next to the DVD, which contains over two hours of goodies like the aforementioned mix accompanied by video, behind the scenes footage, tour videos, official music videos from the Bangin' The Box series as well as the music video for Behind The Decks, interviews, and a lot more. It even includes a fold out poster of Bad Boy Bill himself!

Get Behind The Decks and see why Bad Boy Bill is still considered to be the last word on house music. Understand?"

Disappointed in the Decks.

Steven Ratz | 10/23/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I bought Behind the Decks the day it was released and when I listened to it, I thought to myself maybe it will take a few times before it grows on me. IT DIDN'T!!It pains me to say that and I have been a Bad Boy Bill fan since 1988!!!!Bill's blending of the songs was good, but a lot of the tracks were just awful. I think he was trying too hard to be like Oakenfold, Junior Vasquez or Sasha and Digweed (which are all the most OVERRATED DJ's on the planet, I don't see the big deal).I don't think Bill had as much fun with this release and took it WAY TOO SERIOUSLY!!! There were too many vocal pauses within the first ten minutes of the CD, which is the kiss of death at the beginning of a mix.Bill's scratching was good though, there was another reviewer that said scratching should be left with hip-hop, that is where I totally disagree. That is what sets Bill apart from a lot of House DJ's.Anyway, Behind the Decks was NOT his best work and I hope with his next release will be laced with the original Chicago mix style that one is used to with a Bad Boy Bill mix.I just wasn't feeling Behind the Decks.Sorry Bad Boy."