Guest Guitarist: Tom Morello

Tom Morello is one of the most innovative guitarists of the last 25 years. I’d dare say he’s up there in terms of style and influence with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix and countless others. There is no denying he has a unique style and a distinct sound. So it’s only natural that when you hear him play, you know it’s Tom. Over the years Tom has quietly lent his talents to a plethora of other bands and artists. Here are a few the gems he’s guested on over the years.

 

RUN DMC- Big Willie (from Down With The King):

 

Cypress Hill- Rise Up (from Rise Up):

 

Linkin Park- Drawbar (from The Hunting Party):

 

Device- Opinion (from Self Titled):

 

Travis Barker w/ Rza, Raekwon and Tom Morello- Carry It (from Give The Drummer Some):

 

Prodigy with Tom Morello- One Man Army (from Spawn Soundtrack):

 

Primus- Electric Uncle Sam (from Antipop):

 

Primus- Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool (from Antipop):

 

Bruce Springsteen- Jack Of All Trades (from Wrecking Ball):

 

Bruce Springsteen- This Depression (from Wrecking Ball):

 

Class Of 99- Another Brick In The Wall (from The Faculty Soundtrack):

 

 

Amazing Albums: Prodigy- The Fat Of The Land

The year is 1997 and the landscape of music is moving in a strange direction. Anytime there is a cosmic change in music there are a handful of albums that come out that really point the direction of things to come. One of those albums in particular is the absolute great album The Fat Of The Land by Prodigy. When it was released it debuted at number one in the US on the billboard charts on the heels of breakout singles like “Firestarter,” “Breathe,” and the controversial “Smack My Bitch Up,” which to this day still has one of the coolest music videos ever. This album did a lot for music at the time. The Fat Of The Land has a more rock oriented sound, thus bringing the electronic and rock worlds together. Prodigy’s producer and main songwriter Liam Howlett was all about the group evolving their sound and creating something substantial. Here’s a fun fact Liam Howlett was only 24 years old when he made The Fat Of The Land.

The album contains 10 of the most fiery “dance” tracks ever, as each track has a real purpose and identity on the album. From the more rock tinged songs, to hip hop, and straight up electronic songs, it all works and flows perfectly. Besides the three main singles that everyone knows, other tracks on the record really stand out. The Beastie Boys sampled “Funky Shit” is one of the most danceable tracks on the record, providing the classic sound that The Prodigy is known for. “Serial Thrilla,” is still one of my favorite cuts off the album. It’s super heavy with a great riff to drive the beat. “Mindfields” is another that has some really intriguing electronics. There are a few trip hop moments in the song adding some psychedelia, which can also be heard in the epic “Climbatize.”

I remember hearing this album for the first time, and I was blown away by it. This album really mixes the “rock flair” with electronica so well. It’s often been copied and duplicated but it will never be matched. With a band like The Prodigy, once you release a game changing album like The Fat Of The Land, where do you go from there? After the release and touring cycle, the band took a five year break and returned with new music that was quite underwhelming as well as their subsequent albums. Their last album 2015’s The Day Is My Enemy, had some tracks on it that has some of the same passion as The Fat Of The Land, hopefully fueling some inspiration for the group to return with some great new music. 

 

The Fat Of The Land:

 

Smack My Bitch Up:

Breathe: