- Audio CD (9 Jan 2000)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Junior Boys Own
- ASIN: B000023Y31
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | Mini-Disc
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
7,295 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
- #16 in Music > Dance & Electronic > Trance
- #60 in Music > Dance & Electronic > Electronica
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Product Description
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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is a great follow up to Second Toughest in the Infants, and easily one of the greatest dance albums ever produced, up there with Leftism. Like Underworld's previous albums, it's a good mix of styles. As with Banstyle/Sappys Curry on their last album, sometimes in the same track (Cups), and with Jumbo, has one of the most relaxing and uplifting songs in quite sometime. Other stand out tracks include Kittens; which is a track in the style of Pearl's Girl(Tin There), and the superbly hypnotic Something Like a Mama. The only real letdowns are the rather sparse Skym, and the overcrowded Moaner. On the whole though, a class album by a class act.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Don't be put off by the reviews before this! This is a good Underworld album. In fact, its a very good Underworld album. What it isn't is a natural progression from the dark electronic mood of Second Toughest In The Infants. This is where Underworld excel, they evolve their sound, move with the times, sure they could churn out Underworld-by-numbers tracks to keep the masses happy but wheres the fun in that? Its the difference between Underworld being the Oasis of the dance world, or the Radiohead of the dance world. Experimentation.
Cups opens up the album, with its Todd Terry-esque New York House beats, soulful bluesy vocals from Karl and deep hypnotic bassline. Its one of the best Underworld tracks you can get, gently building over the 10 minute track. Towards the end, the tempo rises and harsh synths and breakbeats lead you into Push Upstairs, a bangy techno track with short stabbing pianos. Jumbo is the next track up, absolutely sublime. Light in mood, Karl sings gently over the top. The bassline bounces along and the way the track fades away leaving extatic twinkling synths at the end is fooking class. Shudder/King Of Snake fires back into storming techno mode, a twisted techdisco number with Donna Summer's I Feel Love bassline used to great effect. Winjer and Skym see Underworld take a more chilled, melancholic stance, similar to something like Stagger from Second Toughest. Bruce Lee is a catchy little number, more indie-ish in nature, funky little guitar stabs with Karl rambling over the top in his usual style. Kittens heads back to dancefloor material, military drums pounding away. A track that builds and builds and builds. Captures the feel of 'Live' Underworld. Push Downstairs takes the vocals from the Upstairs version and sticks them over a chilled Winjer/Skym style backing, a nice take and an interesting way of portraying two ways a track can be done. Something Like A Mama marries frantic breaks with a simple guitar loop and chilled synth pads, pacey yet relaxing and deep at the same time. Moaner (from the Batman & Robin) movie finishes the album off. Pure and simple techno, nasty harsh twisted acid lines, thunderous beats and Karl chanting "shes on the phone again, shes calling from America, shes calling from America" ... a real moaner! A nice gentle breakdown with twinkling bells provides a good contrast in the track.
So, perhaps not as coherant in style as Second Toughest ... perhaps due to the imminent parting of ways that Underworld were to have. Still, from my perspective, no drop in quality. Tracks like Cups, Jumbo, King Of Snake, Kittens really shine out. Also, this album featured some top remix packages, do try and search out the Cups and Bruce Lee mixes ... some of the best you'll hear. NOT quite as good as Second Toughest but not the absolute drop in quality that the picture has been painted on these reviews so far.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been singing the praises of Underworld in my corner of Michigan since the release of Dubnobasswithmyheadman, and I'm so glad to see this is just as good (if not better)! This CD goes everywhere with me, especially on the hour trek to work every day. "Kittens" is better than coffee, and when "King of Snake" is on, I have to make sure the cruise is set (Don't want any tickets!) I can't recommend this highly enough and eagerly await their next effort.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Plenty of Fish
Out of the entire Underworld catalogue this is the one that I always fall back on. My only gripe with the album is the inclusion of Moaner. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by David Connolly
correction....
This isn't so much a review as a correction. dubnobasswithmyhead man is actually underworlds 3rd album, the first 2, change the weather and underneath the radar were released... Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by L. Coltham
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. Read more
Published on 21 July 2006 by Paul Smithson
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... Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2003
A mixed bag of extreme proportions
Beaucoup Fish was an album I'd been looking at getting for a good while since the 1999 release, and I ultimately capitulated earlier this year. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2003 by "mikeserieys"
Drowning in images
Unlike some other customers, Im not going to use those professional phrases. Listening to this album is a real midnight experience. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2001
Not their best by any means!
Well what can I say, disappointment was the main feeling. Underworld were my favourite group, and "Second Toughest" one of my all time favourite albums, but this is not... Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2000
a more polished and directional album
Since hearing the mighty rez many years ago, I have been some what of a fan of messers Hyde, Smith and Emmerson. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2000
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