Disco de Underworld: “Hundred Days Off”

Underworld went into a state of limbo following the departure of one of their key members Darren Emerson in early 2000 and fans were left uncertain of their possible future. All of the uncertainties in my opinion have been completely blown away with their 2002 album entitled "A Hundred Days Off" and I have to say, it is another winning album.

The album might be disappointing at first. The songs are a lot simpler and shorter than and nowhere near as complex as those on their 3 famous previous albums. Despite the much simpler nature of the songs, this CD doesn't disappoint that much. Just don't expect explosive epic length tracks like "Banstyle/Curry" (Track 2 From "2nd Toughest") or "Rowla". Do expect great music to come from this album.

"Momove" leads this CD off. It starts with melodic bleeping effects and then becomes a highly danceable song with an odd atmosphere and grey ambience combined with pulsating rhythm. This song could almost fit well on "Beaucoup Fish". The song eventually intensifies towards the ending before the beats stop and the remaining parts of the song fade out. A wonderful opener. "Two Months Off" starts off with an odd whispering sound effect followed by a strong beat. The beat is followed by these odd chime like keyboards and then the song becomes a harmoniosl and upbeat song with a party like atmosphere. God only knows how well this song could do on the charts. "Twist" is a more laid back track with a darker and more tone down atmosphere but still with some upbeat and danceable rhythm. "Sola System" is an intoxicating ambient ballad with a jazzier style not heard before on any of Underworld's previous albums and has an addictive mix of keyboards, beat, and odd ambience that might appeal to those who love "Second Toughest". I just love the jazziness of the song. Quite frankly, there's more to this amazing track that this review can give out so it needs listening. I agree with a previous review, it would be great of Underworld made a down tempo album like this. "Little Speaker" is an odd track that starts with a mix of dubbing and jazzy keyboard fused with dance beat and a girl voice talking about something (It's hard to make out what she's saying). The song is kind of repetitive at first but eventually, piano parts come in when the song pauses and then a haunting almost New Agey ambience comes in and the song becomes a melodic track that is almost like a lighter watered down cousin to "Air Towel". "Trim" is a more twangy bluesy song that has some twangy guitars and light beats and almost sounds like a country song but much more sophisticated. A pretty good song. "Ess Gee" is a semi-filler track that is somewhat similar to "BluSki" but without the threatening intensity or edge of that song and feels more like an interlude. "Dinosaur Adventure 3D" though is classic Underworld bringing back the aggressive dance rhythms that defined their last album "Beaucoup Fish" with an explosive melodic dance track with aggressive beats and explosive electronica. "Ballet Lane" is a mid-tempo track with glistening guitars and an array of beat and keyboards reminiscent of those from "Dubnobasswithmyheadman". The final track "Luetin" is a quirky dance number that brings this album to a marvelous close.

Overall, I have to say that "A Hundred Days Off" is another winning accomplishment from one of the most unique techno dance groups of modern times. The album doesn't stack up to "Beaucoup Fish" and it doesn't even come close to reaching the terrifying heights that "Dubnobasswithmyheadman" and "Second Toughest In The Infants" did as they are the best techno/dance albums ever made will never be topped but "A Hundred Days Off" is an important album as it proves that Underworld were able to survive the departure of one of their key members and still continue to crank out great music for the ages. This is their fourth masterpiece on a row. Go and buy this CD. :)

This is a beautiful CD. It is a Limited Edition Tour CD from the Underworld's 2002 Australia tour. This CD has 2 discs. The first disc is A Hundred Days Off. The underworld's newest release. Also their first CD without Darren Emerson. This is the exact same album as the standard version. Nothing fancy added on this disc. But that doesn't mean it isn't good. A hundred days off is a beautiful CD. It doesn't have the same pace as other Underworld CD's, but it is still a beautiful album and certainly worthy of praise.

Disc 2 has all the cool little extras. It contains the Live version of "CowGirl" from the Everything, Everything experience. It also has some cool, mellow, remixes of the first 2 singles off the new album. 2 Months Off and Dinosaur Adventure 3D. The remixes aren't the best I've heard, but still good. You can get them from other CD singles, but it is cheaper getting them on this disc.

What makes this CD worth it is the CD-ROM videos. Underworld Videos, since Born Slippy, are just so crazy good. The video for 2 Months Off is beautiful. Karl dancing in the rain in some weird pool in the middle of a forest. Dinosaur 3D is crazy. It tracks a bee that flies all over a city, causing hellish wind storms with its wings. Both videos are hard to come by in the States. This CD has both. And that added feature makes this 2 disc set a must have for all die hard Underworld Fans.

A Hundred Days Off is a tough listen. Anyone who knows anything about Underworld knows that Emerson shapped Underworld to what they have become today. Saddly, everything Underworld has done before will always be compared to this and every proceeding release after this one. So the big question I had to ask myself was, "is there life after Emerson?" I say definately.

They way I see it, Underworld are setting up to entities now: with Emerson and post-Emerson. Because with the loss of Emerson, he took his ideas and sound with him, leaving it up to Hyde and Smith to fill the his gap. Honestly, I don't think many other bands could do with the finess this duo has. While it's not a breakthrough or evolution, I see A Hundred Days Off as more a re-establishment for the band. Getting their footing back in the ground and finding where they want to take this band while Emerson does his own thing(which by the way if you didn't know Emerson released a compilation album called Episode 1 the same day of the release of this. It maybe closer to Trance than Underworld's genre hopping style but it's still high caliber stuff). In the this sense, I think Underworld has made one hell of a come back.

The material here is generally more mellow than what they've done previously(something like Banstyle/Sappys Curry from Second Toughest of the Infants). What stands out most on this album is the production. This is the first studio album they've made that is actually on the same level of production and sound as their live preformances(or what I can gather from what I have heard from Everything Everything). Its generally more encompassing and full than their previous outtings. One thing that I think is actually superior to their older albums is a level of subtitly that wasn't in the older stuff(I'm on my 6th or so listen I'm still hearing stuff I didn't hear before). There's some great percusion samples mixed in the normal back beats, sprawled across piano riffs, bass rythms, synths, and other assorted samples. Every track comes into place nicely and all come across as well composed pieces of techno(alright, so I'm not a techno

When I first got this, I didn't think it was that great. It had some good songs, but nothing incredibly amazing. But after listening to it for the last month or so, I've really gotten into it.

A Hundred Days Off is a step in the right direction after 1998's Beaucoup Fish, which wasn't brilliant but still pretty good. But A Hundred Days Off definitely includes future Underworld classics. Here's a rundown of what I think to each track:

Mo Move - A very nicely done, upbeat opener to the album. Mo Move quickly sets the tone and leads wonderfully into the next song...

Two Months Off - The first album single that you've probably heard. The progression of this track is superb; I love how the main synth beat slowly comes in softly and transforms into a hard and distorted rhythm.

Twist - Not the greatest on the album, but still worthy of being listened to. It's fairly enjoyable.

Sola Sistim - Very cool. I lent my friend the album and this was the track he told me was his favorite. The scratchy bass and downbeat drums make this track memorable and fun to listen to.

Little Speaker - Sure to become a favorite among Underworld fans. While the first half isn't amazing, it's still nicely constructed. But with the transition into the second half, the song becomes fantastic. Very good song.

Trim - It's only 3:22, but it's still really good. One of my favorites from the CD, Trim uses a twangy, catchy guitar riff backed with moderate drums and great vocals.

Ess Gee - Short and sweet being only about 2:20. This track, which is only really a layered sound but sounds great, is a perfect lead-in to...

Dinosaur Adventure 3D - Easily the best song on the CD. Hard, captivating, and fast, Dinosaur Adventure 3D is very upbeat with scratchy effects and hard drums. I can't wait for the single, which is supposed to be coming out in January.

Ballet Lane - Another fairly short song. Nicely done, I really like it.

Luetin - Probably my least favorite on the CD, but still good. Nothing too special, though.

Don't get me wrong, A Hundred Days Off is no Second Toughest In The Infants, but definitely packs quite a punch with some of its songs.

Underworld is a band that grows on you and not like cancerous cyst that will kill you. More like new hair when all of your own is falling out. I have followed and listened to them from the days when they were Freur. The first time you listen to any of there albums your not sure whether you like it. The next time you listen you start like it, and the third time you listen you won't listen to anything else for weeks. So anyone who doesn't like this album or any of there others I suggest giving it another listen. For there best earlier stuff (more guitar oriented) I would recommend Underworld Change the Weather, or Freur Doot Doot.