Search - Meat Beat Manifesto :: Original Fire

My first MBM cd

Sean Gallagher | NJ | 08/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Original Fire was my first MBM cd, and when I saw it used ... I just had to get it.
What a deal that was. At the time, the only MBM I've heard was the remix of the Perfect Drug and Closer he's done for NIN. I LOVED both of those tracks, so I had to get a cd from them instantly. And I did.
Helter Skelter '97 is a great way to start out the cd. It brings the energy to both the music and the listener, a hard thing to do but Jack's wizardry pulls it off. Needles to say, it's a great track.
It's the Music is taken from the single that was released in 96 (which is hard to find). Not only is it a great track, but it has a much more mellow mood than Skelter, yet it retains some aggression. Amazing.
I Am Electro sounds like Original Control 2, but just a little different. I prefer Electro anyway.
I Am Organic is a quick, yet catchy track. A nice bassline flows throught and the drums will instantly get those feet tapping or those bodies dancing.
Radio Babylon, pratically the one that put MBM into the public's eye, is another great track. One would never think it was from 1989, as it sounds like nothing that was being done at the time. Excellent.
I Got the Fear pt.5, is not only my favorite pt. of I Got the Fear, but perhaps my favorite song on Original Fire. Featuring EXCELLENT bass work, there's a dueling of instruments within the song, and it's just pure genius. The crazy noise at the end of the song is also great. It's very remensicent of the stuff on Armed Audio Warfare and Storm the Studio. Being a fan of Skinny Puppy, this was right down my alley. Yet another excellent track.
The remix of Asbestos Lead Asbestos is leaps ahead of the original in this reviewer's eye (or ear). It's just much more energetic, in your face than the original cut. Both are great, indeed, but I prefer this remix.
The remix of It's the Music is a straight forward drum jam that only Meat Beat Manifesto can give you.
Luke Viberts remix of Radio Babylon is also very good. I'm a huge fan of Luke's work as Plug, so if you like Plug, this will be right up your alley. Not as good as his work as Plug, but still worth a listen.
The Orb's version of Radio Babylon is so different than any other. It's a all out electronic dub jam, and it's a great listen from start to finish. I'm also a Orb fan, so this song was no problem for me to like. Overall, I recommond this to anyone who's interested in listening to Meat Beat Manifesto. This is the excellent introductory cd. It gives a nice story of his older stuff (I Got the Fear, Radio Babylon) to his newer stuff (Asbestos Lead Asbestos, It's the Music). So, do check this cd out, I doubt you'll be disappointed. There's no harm in checking this out, anyway, It's Just the Music."

Is it the music? I guess it is.

Sean Gallagher | 11/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

""It's the music" (both mixes) is the best track by far. It's best digested with a lot of bass in your system. Other tracks are alright. The Orb's remix is a good finish to the disc because it has the effect to take one down gradually. The only track that I would say that isn't good is track three or the "I am Electro." All in all the disc offers a good array of remixed material."

I PRAISE THE REMIX OF "ASBESTOS LEAD ASBESTOS"!

B. Allen-Trick | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For 1 long year, I was always wondering what the hell they were saying in the original "Asbestos Lead Asbestos", but the remix now hands me the words...thank God for it! I also like Radio Babylon remix by The Orb and Helter Skelter '97. BUY THIS CD if you love MBM...wait, if you love them you already have it. Just get it."