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AUSTRALIAN IMPORT
Condition: Brand New Factory Sealed
Despite their reputation as that rare techno artist who thinks in terms of albums, not singles, Work 1989-2002 makes it obvious that a retrospective like this from Orbital is well overdue. At one time, Orbital was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, names in techno, a result of their willingness to tour like a rock band and put on performances with light shows and improvised DJ work. Hence, tracks like "Halcyon and On and On" (from Orbital 2) and early ravers like "Chime" have so imprinted themselves on our collective techno memory that it seems odd they haven't been packaged together already. Still, as a definitive collection, Work is less than perfect. First off, the tracks here are relatively bland 7-inch versions of songs that have all been mixed to hell and back; "Nothing Left" from 1999's underrated Middle Of Nowhere should be a monstrous mix of swooping melodies and fat chords, not the tepid radio version used here. Surely, another four minutes of "Halcyon" or "The Box" (from In Sides) would be preferable to songs like "Illuminate" off last year's disappointing The Altogether. Similarly, it's a mystery why the record includes not the brilliant, original 1990 version of "Satan," but instead the inferior retread recorded with Metallica's Kirk Hammett for the Spawn soundtrack. But even though Work isn't perfect, it's tough to discount a record when at least half the tracks are classics of the genre.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. Chime
2. Choice [Crucifix Vocal US Hardcore Punk]
3. Illuminate - David Gray, Orbital
4. Satan [Spawn]
5. Nothing Left
6. Halcyon and On and On
7. Impact
8. Are We Here? [Industry StandArd? Version]
9. Style
10. Box
11. Frenetic - Lisa Billson, Orbital
12. Lush 3-1
13. Funny Break
14. Belfast
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