Here some comments
on Maxim's new album Hells Kitchen (released 2nd October 2000
on XL Recordings) plus now also the lyrics. Obviously you can't describe
a track in one or two sentences and of course it is always a matter
of taste if you like the track or not. This is my opinion on the tracks
and maybe you disagree with me. Comments are always welcome but please
don't e-mail me to ask for the soundfiles of any of the tracks. Note
that those scans and tracklist are from the Japanese version of the
album that was released already a month in advance.
Many thanks
to Sebastian B. Hildebrandt for the lyrics and to Cameron Brooks
for all the scans.
1. Hadrians Wall
Written, produced and mixed by Maxim
kicks off with some beats, instrumental, dark sound. Could be part of a movie, has a weird
whispering style sound in the middle and is a very short track.
2. Killing Culture
Written by Maxim
Vocals by Maxim
Scratching administered by Diamond J
Produced by Maxim and Ollie J
Mixed by Ollie J at Rollover studios
->
lyrics
initially reminds of Sabotage by beasties as there's a similar scratching,
has a rocky vibe in the beginning, but then becomes a typical Maxim
tune, very dark and with vocals by Maxim. interesting track, especially
in the beginning, but getting a bit monotonous.
3. Carmen Queasy
Written by Maxim, Skin and Alan
Price
Vocals by Maxim and Skin
'Gee-tars' administered by Kieron Pepper and Lalo Crème
Produced by Maxim and Ollie J.
->
lyrics
Maxim's collaboration with Skin from Skunk Anansie. Her vocals drive
the track which is basically a rock song. Without a doubt the best
song by Maxim, if you haven't heard it yet, make sure you do!
4. Spectral Wars
Written by Maxim and Divine Styler
Vocals by Divine Styler
Produced and mixed by Maxim
->
lyrics
Very dark rap track with vocals by Divine Styler, quite monotonous,
not really my favourite.
5. Hells Kitchen
Written by Maxim
Produced by Maxim and Ollie J.
Mixed by Ollie J at Rollover Studios
Contains elements from "T stands for Trouble" performed
by Marvin Gaye
->
lyrics
instrumental track, nice beats but a little
boring. Sounds unfinished.
6. Scheming
Written by Maxim, Liam Howlett,
Trina Allen, Ollie J. and Jim Davies
Vocals by Trina Allen, additional vocals by Marianne Morgan
'Gee-tars' administered by Jim Davies
Beats and bass line built and programmed by Liam Howlett
Produced by Maxim and Liam Howlett
Mixed by Maxim
->
lyrics
Although this is a collaboration with Liam Howlett I can't say I really
like this track. I hope this trip into the world of 2 Step will stay
a one-off experimant and doesn't indicate what the next Prodigy album
will sound like. Very sort of radio friendly though, but not too obviously
commercial.
7. Worldwide
Syndicates
written by Maxim and Tony Titanium
vocals by Maxim and Tony Titanium
scratching administered by Diamond J
Produced and mixed by Maxim
->
lyrics
the vocals make this rap track very cool
and one of the best on the album. The vocals are so good that the
instrumental part of the track becomes irrelevant.
8. Soul Seller
Written by Maxim and Trina Allen
Vocals by Maxim and Trina Allen
Gee-tars adinistered by Lalo Créme
Produced by Maxim and Jim Abbiss
Mixed by Jim Abbiss
->
lyrics
Standout track. In my opinion this should have been the
follow-up single to Carmen Queasy and by far the best track on the album apart from it. A
rock track with very strong vocals, Maxim's voice is almost unrecognizable, a super catchy
guitar riff and Trina Allen is doing a great job at the vocals in the chorus.
9.
Universal Scientist
Written by Maxim and Blood of Abraham
Vocals by Blood of Abraham
Gee-tars administered by Dan Ubick
Produced and Mixed by Maxim
->
lyrics
Cool, dark rap track. Vocals by 'Blood of Abraham' are
sounding really good.
10. My Web
Written and produced by Maxim
Vocals by Maxim
Vocals mixed by Liam Howlett
->
lyrics
This was the first single by Maxim, here a different,
longer version of the track. Very dark, but cool, very original in a way, I like it
11. Dominant Genes
Written by Maxim
Produced and mixed by Maxim
Instrumental track, very cool beats
and unique sounds.
12. Backward
Bullet
Written by Maxim, Chris Corner,
Liam Coverdale - Howe, Ian Pickering, Joe Wilson and Dave Westlake
Vocals by Maxim and Chris Corner
Produced by Line of Flight Productions
->
lyrics
The Sneaker Pimps collaboration, weird vocals, different
from the rest of the album but doesn't really impress me too much.
13. (Bonus
Track) Hells Kitchen vocal version
Written by Maxim
Vocals by Maxim, additional vocals by Trina Allen
Produced by Maxim and Ollie J.
Mixed by Ollie J. at Rollover Studios
Contains elements from "T stands for Trouble" performed
by Marvin Gaye
->
lyrics
Available as Bonus track on the Japanese
release but apparently not on the European one. Good news is that
the track is available for download on www.vitaminic.de
! Much better than the instrumental of the song!
14.
(Bonus Track) Prism
Written and Produced by Maxim
Gee-tars administered by Jim Davies
->
lyrics
Available as Bonus track on the Japanese release but
apparently not on the European one. In Europe available as B-Side on the Scheming single.
Dark track, imagine 'My Web goes Diesel Power', very good track, a shame that it's not on
the European release of the album!
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