Product Description

Every few years an album comes along that effectively defines a short piece of time. Underworld, the infinitely patienttrio from Romford that manages to put out such a period-defining album every couple years does it again with BEAUCOUP FISH. The simple leitmotifs that grow, repeat and build on each other make up the symphony that is every Underworld song.In a return to a more vocal-oriented style, Underworld moves toward a more traditional song structure. The addition of live instruments makes this a more organic-sounding record than most in the electronic dance genre.
The bubbling loopthat permeates the opener "Cups" finally jumps to the forefront and takes the song in an entirely new direction with a syncopated coda of synth stabs and chopped-up vocal samples.The two-part "Push", with its pseudo-evangelical rant and the late-night-driving "Jumbo" (which brings to mind 10CC) mix vocal samples with a wash of strings and keyboards. The dissonant guitar samples at the beginning of "Shudder/King of Snake" give way to a distorted loop. BEAUCOUP FISH-mature, complex and well worth the three-year wait.

Track Listing

1. Cups
2. Push Upstairs
3. Jumbo
4. Shudder/king Of Snake
5. Winjer
6. Skym
7. Bruce Lee
8. Kittens
9. Push Downstairs
10. Something Like A Mama
11. Moaner

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31875 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Beaucoup Fish is Underworld's third studio album and sees them return to form after a slightly lacklustre second LP (Second Toughest In The Infants). Not that this latest missive from the famous trio (Darren Emerson, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith) possesses the same raw energy as their debut Dubnobasswithmyheadman, but it does benefit from differences such as more experimental use of sounds, slicker production and a generally more intricate feel. The albums opener "Cups" is a case in point, a subtle, fluid grower that sees Hyde's usually excitable vocals toned down and more ensconced in the mix. The trio show that they are still fond of pumping chemical onslaughts though with the redoubtable "Push Upstairs" and other thumping club tracks like "Jumbo", "Something Like A Mama", "Kittens and Moaner". The trio have obviously decided to try a few new things out on this LP too, such as "Shudder/King of Snakes", which starts with a wonky Oriental vibe before morphing into nine minutes of drum-fuelled propulsion and heavy sounds. Hyde's voice--which comes close to a kind of rhythmic scatting here--continues to stay low for the most part (though fans can still discern his nonsensical lyrics), becoming more assertive on tracks like the mellow, beatless Skym. Elsewhere, tracks like "Bruce Lee" sees Underworld experiment with a hip hop beat and some Dadaist vocals, and with some meandering breakbeat on "Something Like a Mama", though neither track seems to come off terribly well. If anything, this album proves that Underworld are best when they stick to their classic, distinctive club sound.--Paul Sullivan

Customer Reviews

6 stars, nah make it seven
This is almost scarily smooth music, in spite of being electronica. And offhand I cannot think of much approaching it in quality. Well, Future Sound Of London. And Massive Attack. And Tricky. Erm, Portishead. Lamb.
"Winjer" has a phenomenal drive and would, were I ever asked to name the one favourite track of all my CDs, probably be thought of first. "Cups" just sucks you in. "Push". It's all quite on a level of its own making, so specifically underworldish.
The day I discovered Underworld was my lucky day: There's more to life than Mahler, Nielsen and Wagner.
Funny things is, I came to Underworld from FSOL. Bought a couple CDs, thought "ouch!" and hid them away. All that money just wasted. Suddenly, a few months later, they crept up on me and I soon discovered I wasn't playing much else. Quality isn't always easily digested.
I have noticed, with some amusement, that Underworld live is very different from the tracks I like the best.

smooth
I bought this after listening to King Of Snake on the Kevin and Pery go Large soundtrack. The album is great for chilling out to or listening to before you drop off to sleep. Picture being in Spain, and it's raining, and you decide to go for a swim in the pool- those are the best listening conditions. It's one of they're more mellow albums that isn't so upbeat and adrenaline driven (I actually prefer the faster Underworld tracks though).

Jumbo
Jumbo is withut doubt the best dance track ever written. You can just soak up the influnces as you listen and imagine how this record will reappear, referenced in future dance tracks in 2050. It builds and builds to an orgasmic middle section, that is so beautiful, just sublime listening, that every time I hear it, I'm transported. Buy the album to experience the best mix of Jumbo. The album version is without doubt better than any of the the mixes on 12" singles. Although very clever, the 12" singles never really re-capture the beauty, intensity and structural elegance of the album track, ( apart from just one short jazz funk segment of Jumbo on one single, you know the mix I mean, if you're a fan!)So if you collect dance, buy it now and let Jumbo blow you away all over again!