Front 242 Album: “Re:Boot: Live 1998”

I have to disagree with the reviewer that said that Re-Boot was better than Live Code. As a longtime Front 242 fan, I found the "rebooting" of their classics almost unbearable. Supposedly Front 242 was inspired by The Prodigy during this time period, and you can definitely hear the influence. I LOVE Jean-Luc De Meyer's and Richard 23's voices, but I wasn't impressed with their vocals on this album. Richard's voice in particular was kind of (I can't believe I'd ever say this) annoying. The last time I saw Front 242 was on their 2005 tour, and I'm glad to say that they've ditched the cheesy and dated techno sound and returned to their EBM roots. If you enjoy Front 242's original EBM sound and are looking for one of their live albums, buy Live Code. That album is a fine example of Front 242 at their intense glory.

242 are at there best live and this album proves that. There is a big difference between Live Code and RE:boot, Front has taken there earlier material and transformed it(with the help of some excellent drumming) into having a much harder more dance oriented edge. Songs like No Shuffle, Body to Body, Masterhit and Religion - my fav - and of course Headhunter, are excellent. This is a 100% 242, this is industrial music

The background music is excellent but at times the lyrics seem dorky and out of place. Still, a good techno/industrial CD.

When I bought this live cd I was really scared: I had read that my favourite band had now turned into Trance-Techno-Acid music.

When I listened to it, I still recognised the wonderful 242 sound among the renewed techno sounds. The songs are wonderful, so they should have to make it real bad not to deserve a listening. Some versions are very good, such as 'Moldavia' or 'Headhunter', even though there're others, such as 'No Shuffle' and 'Body to Body' which are really sacrilegeous.

I hope their new album, expected for 2002, will be better than this. I know -and I like- that bands are always in constant evolution, but that doesn't necessarily imply that this evolution is good. i don't like techno, so I'd prefer some other evolution. But Front 242 will always rule (together with Skinny Puppy)