The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land

I don’t know if there’s any truth to the rumour the band wanted to switch the title around for the US market and call it “The Land of the Fat”, but that kind of sums up the attitude of the band.  They want to be provocative and in your face.  They want to grab your attention.  This album is proof that you don’t need guitars to be loud and angry.  The Prodigy are a proper punk band.

Conversely, I love the story that frontman Keith Flint owned a pub and whenever he lit the fire people would inevitably make the “I’m a Firestarter” joke.  He’d point to an empty pint glass on the bar and say “you owe me a pound”.  That money went to charity.  Never judge a book by its cover, I guess.   

Anyway… Breathe and Firestarter are the highlights of this album.  But the whole album is loud and in your face.  It’s relentless.