Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars

by

Fatboy Slim

Edit

First off, you must realize that Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars is not another "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" or "Better Living". Rather, Fatboy seems to be trying to take his music in a different direction by letting some more outside influence, especially funk, into it.

At first, I didn't like this CD. I wanted more tracks like "Praise You" and "Right Here, Right Now" and this CD didn't give them to me. However, after listening to it, really listening to it, I think this is fatboy slim's most intellegent and interesting work. It provides a different kind of music experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for the same.

Fatboy Slim's last two albums (and many of the tracks that don't exist on his albums) succeed on two levels. First, they are complex sound-scapes that move and flow from moment to moment. The songs need multiple listenings to fully appreciate. A great example is "Everyone Loves a Carnival" which moves from a Brazilian dance romp to funky Philadelphia soul on acid.

Second, and more importantly, the songs are FUN. You would have no problem playing "Better Living Through Chemistry" from start to finish at a party. Some of the earlier CD's of "Better Living" actually had a sticker on them that stated "Best Party Album of the Year!".

"You've Come a Long Way Baby" continued the process by creating songs that succeeded less on the first count (soundscapes), but succeeded widly on the second count (fun). "Rockafeller Skank" is the best example of this. While a bit repetitive, the song makes its mark with its hook. The lead-in bit of a caller pleading with a DJ to play the song by singing the hook is an exclamation point.

This album has done about face. The album works hard to make up for the last album by working hard on the first level (sound) and absolutely killing the second. I couldn't find one song on this album that just jumped off the CD. No Rockafeller Skank, no "Give the Po Man a Break".

I understand why some have referred to Moby in listening the album. Norman Cook, I think, wanted to be taken seriously in his work, as Moby was on his last album. Moby transcended pure dance/house music by transfusing it with the blues and soul. This album seems to take a stab at the same themes. Many other reviewers seem to refer to this development as a "maturity." I guess this is true, but is this what we want from Fatboy Slim?!? I cannot see "Fatboy Slim" as a serious artist. If Norman Cook wanted to make a statement as an artist, make it as "Norman Cook" and keep on giving us the FUN as Fatboy Slim.

In short, if you don't have a Fatboy Slim ablum, look to the previous albums. If you do have those albums, listen carefully to the samples. See if you can find a hook. You won't.