The Fat of the Land

Updated on Oct 12, 2024

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Recorded 1995–97 Language English Release date 30 June 1997 Label XL Recordings		Length 56:24 Artist The Prodigy Producer Liam Howlett

Released 30 June 1997 (1997-06-30) Studio Strongroom Studios, Shoreditch, LondonEarthbound Studios, Braintree, Essex, England The Fat of the Land(1997) The Dirtchamber Sessions Volume One(1999) Genres Techno, Electronic dance music, Breakbeat, Big beat, Electronica, Electronic music, Alternative dance Similar The Prodigy albums, Big beat albums, Other albums

Breathe the prodigy

The Fat of the Land is the third studio album by English electronic dance music group The Prodigy. The album was released by XL Recordings on 30 June 1997 and on 1 July 1997 in the United States by Maverick Records.

The album has received critical acclaim and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide as of 2012.

The prodigy smack my bitch up

Content

The album title comes from the old English phrase 'living off the fat of the land', which means living well or being wealthy.

The band name was shortened to simply "Prodigy" for the release and its singles.

While Liam Howlett is generally responsible for the compositions and Maxim Reality is featured on two tracks, this is the first record to include contributions by Keith Flint, who provides vocals on four of the songs.

Release

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album has since gone double platinum, selling over two million copies in the US.

The album also caused some controversy. The National Organization for Women objected to the seeming misogyny of "Smack My Bitch Up", though the band maintains that its true interpretation is "doing anything intensely".

In 1999, the album entered the Guinness World Records as the fastest-selling UK album and was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

Legacy

It has been featured in a number of music publication lists:

In 1998, Q magazine readers voted The Fat of the Land the ninth greatest album of all time. In 2000, Q placed it at number 47 in its list of the 100 greatest British albums ever. It has also been ranked number 43 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime" list, and was included in their "90 Best Albums of the 1990s" and "50 Best Albums of 1997" lists.

Rolling Stone included in their "Essential Recordings of the 90s" list.

Spin ranked it number 20 on their list of the "Top 20 Albums of the Year [1997]" list.

Melody Maker ranked it number 13 on their list of "Albums of the Year" for 1997 and number 29 in their 1997 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll.

NME ranked it number 17 in their 1997 Critics' Poll.

The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album was also nominated for the 1997 Mercury Music Prize.

Cover versions

In 2004, KISS co-founder Gene Simmons covered "Firestarter" on his second solo album, Asshole. "Firestarter" was also covered by Sepultura on their album Kairos, and by Jimmy Eat World on their Firestarter (EP).

Personnel

The Prodigy

Keith Flint – vocals ("Breathe", "Serial Thrilla", "Firestarter", "Fuel My Fire")

Liam Howlett – keyboards, synthesizers, sampling, programming, production, engineering, mixing, art direction

Maxim Reality – vocals ("Breathe", "Mindfields")

Additional musicians

Shahin Badar – vocals ("Smack My Bitch Up")

Kool Keith – vocals ("Diesel Power")

Crispian Mills – vocals ("Narayan")

Saffron – vocals ("Fuel My Fire")

Gizz Butt – guitar ("Fuel My Fire")

Jim Davies – guitar ("Firestarter")

Matt Cameron – drums

Tom Morello – guitar ("No Man Army")

Other personnel

Neil McLellan – engineer

Christian Ammann – photography

JAKe – illustrations

Alex Jenkins – art direction, design, photography

Pat Pope – photography

Alex Scaglia – photography

Lou Smith – photography

Terry Whittaker – photography

Konrad Wothe – photography

Mike Champion – management

Songs

1Smack My Bitch Up5:43
2Breathe5:35
3Diesel Power4:18

References

The Fat of the Land Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA