Search - Junkie Xl :: Saturday Teenage Kick

X-pand Your Musical Limits

tcgiant | Germantown, MD | 11/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably one of the singularly best albums I have ever owned, hands down.The first track I ever remember hearing by Junkie XL was "Def Beat", which was featured in a number of driving games, such as Need For Speed: High Stakes and Gran Turismo 3. It's probably still to this day the best instrumental track I've ever heard, and I got this album not knowing what else to expect. Thankfully, I was rewarded with a very unique and un-Prodigy-like experience with tracks like "Billy Club", "Metrolike"(which unfolds like a dance team routine or something, IMHO), and "Melange". Ronin's vocals sound somewhat like Zach De La Rocha of Rage against the Machine, but their higher range and almost serrated edginess really lends a quality to every track he's on that has to be experienced to be understood.Long story short, buy this album. If you like good honest big-beat electronica, you won't be sorry."

From Mediocre to Dutch Genius

M. Buisman | Amstelveen, The Netherlands | 07/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Tom Holkenborg was still in the band 'Weekend at Waikiki' the music made was not very spectacular. The he started on his own, got a heart attack and bought some computers. Then he teamed up with Rude Boy from the Urban Dance Squad and things started rolling. After the single Billy Club came out it was followed by the debut album.And it will blow you away! The sounds are load, sometimes almost industrial, harder than the prodigy and a lot smarter. The Rude Boy raps add a perfect mix. I will guarentee you will listen to this CD a lot, especially when jogging it will make you pumped up.
Billy Club, Saturday Teenage Kicks and Metrolike are the best songs but there isn't a bad one on here. Certainly the best album out of Holland in the last 5 years."

X-pand your limits

d3stroy | Forks, WA United States | 06/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Junkie XL since 1997-98, when I first heard "Saturday Teenage Kick" and had my attention captured by its one-of-a-kind mix of breakbeat, rap, and good old pure electronics (Prodigy's "Fat of the Land" nothing...that one was a bit of a downer after "Music for the Jilted Generation," and this album is above and beyond that...WAY beyond).Even though they (and by "they," I really mean founder and only permenant member, Tom Holkenberg...fans were all sad to hear about rapper Rudeboy's departure in 2000 following the losses of Dino and Baz) have continually refined and sharpened their sound since the beginning, this first album has a certain unique, underground edge that isn't as present in "Big Sounds of the Drags" or purely-electronic promo singles like "Bon Voyage," "B Y Whop to the Y," or the lost "Red Heat." This is probably mostly due to Tom's decision to take the band towards more dance-based music for Big Sounds (except for the standout track "Zerotonine," quite possibly one of the most unique electronic pieces I've ever heard, even considering Teenage Kick), but word has it that the next album, due out in September, is closer to breakbeat as Teenage Kick was, which is very, very good news. I'm looking forward to it, because I'm confident that Tom can do it again, even without Rudeboy.A solid 5. Anyone with good taste in music should have this album, as well as Big Sounds, as well as the next album."