Decksandrumsandrockandroll

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pioneers of Post-Chemical Brothers big beat, the Propellerheads' first album is a fresh take on a tired genre. Alex Gifford, formerly of the Grid, and Will White have gone from strength to strength with their blend of breakbeat techno, hip-hop and 1960s kitsch. Like Fatboy Slim, they inject humour into the rather dry dance scene with tunes like "Velvet Pants" ("He's got a good body / He's wearing velvet pants"). Decksanddrumsandrockandroll features collaborations with De La Soul ("360 Degrees"), the Jungle Bros ("You Want It Back") and the illustrious Shirley Bassey on their top-40 hit "History Repeating". However, the best single on the record is their version of the underrated soundtrack from the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which does not destroy but refreshes the classic John Barry original. --Ed Potton

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Customer reviews

review by: nugent_dirt date: 2008-10-29 rating:
Biggest beats
From the great 90s 'dance' scene that saw the likes of Underworld, Orbital, The Chems, Fatboy Slim and Prodigy along came this one-off effort which IMO stands alongside the best albums these bigger name acts produced. I hadn't played it for a couple of years until last week and now it's on permamnent rotation..almost. Unlike most 'dance' albums this hasn't dated and sounds fresher than pretty much anything currently doing the rounds. It's also a rare album you can play straight though without skipping any tracks and this sure is one of those unusual beasts. The highlight though is the reworking of the James Bond OHMSS theme, IMO the best version of any Bond tune..ever. This is 9 mins of funky breakbeat fury overlaid with David Arnold's lush orchestral arrangements. It's 'kin well the dog's. Seeing as the prices here are so good I think I'll need to get meself a spare copy the number of times I'm caning my own to death. A bl**dy terrific album. What a shame they never made a follow-up.

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review by: -LARKIN- date: 2006-03-21 rating:
A masterpiece
This CD is full of excellent tracks which have been composed very well. The drums fit amazingly with the basslines and treble. I am not going to list the best songs because it is good throughout (only the Shirley Bassey song annoyed me). In my advice you should buy the other version of this CD which has extra tracks. I havent heard them but if this album is anything to go by, then you should definitely get it

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review by: themurphia date: 2006-03-11 rating:
Where are they now... we need them!
I think it's quite sad that the last review of this fine album was over a year ago. It's packed full of classics. From Take California to Velvet Pants to History Repeating to On Her Majesty's Secret Service - and my favourite - Spybreak.
This album is much more crafted, intelligent and well, fun than its competitors. But it's difficult to place where you'd listen to it. It's not party music, it's not love music, it's not music you'd really dance to. It's great for the car or background at home.
I love this album, and I hope The Propellorheads get together and do something again soon

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review by: beatcave date: 2005-01-02 rating:
An epic dance/big-beat album: highly recommend!
This was my first big-beat album, after a college tutor told me that the stuff I write sounded like them (just not as good!)These guys really know their stuff.

Most of the tracks are quite "musical" in that you can listen to them, not just "have it on in the background". The beats are absolutely first class, the bass lines equally cool. There is nothing limp-wristed about this album, but it has a good blend of up-beat and laid back grooves. Best tracks are "take california" (listen to that cymbal effect and the cool turntable work),"on her majesty's secret service" (a bond remix that finally augments the original: epic) "spybreak" (from "the Matrix" lobby shootout scene. Incidentally, if you can get the special Matrix DVD with the option to listen to only the music -without the explosions/dialogue etc- this scene will totally blow you away!)
Great CD to drive to: 'intelligent' and 'primal' in perfect harmony. Brilliant.


review by: date: 2003-04-04 rating:
Matrix Music - Very, very cool!
At the time of writing, I have listened to this album twice and am already able to say that it is absoloutely fantastic!
The Propellerheads ability to skillfully weave together light scratching, mixing, big beats and electronic samples is masterful.

I suppose this album would be categorised as 'dance electronica', but it is so much more than that, every single track has been carefully crafted to create an audio experience that truly invokes excitement in the listener. Put simply, this is a very cool album.

Standout tracks for me would have to be 'on her majesty's secret service' and 'Spybreak!' which fans of the Matrix will recognise as the music track from 'The lobby scene'.

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