Artist: Faithless Album: Outrospective

Year: 2001
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album Outrospective by Faithless

Faithless is a British electronic dance music group formed back in 1995. They have released several albums with Outrospective being their third. Released in 2001, Outrospective was a successful album which blended different styles of electronic dance music, making it one of the top electronic dance albums of its time. As an avid fan of the album and the group, in this blog post, I shall be giving my critical review of Outrospective, highlighting its genre, history, best songs and innovative parts while also giving an overall critique of the album.

History of the Artist and Genre of the Album

Faithless was formed in 1995, with Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo Armstrong being the main members of the group. At the time of the group's formation, electronic dance music was gaining popularity in the UK and Europe. Faithless infused different styles of electronic dance music in their songs, bringing a unique and fresh sound to the genre. Outrospective was released in 2001, and it was a mix of progressive house, techno, and breakbeat.

Best Songs of the Album

Outrospective has 11 tracks, and all of them are great, but some stand out. One of the best tracks in the album is We Come 1, a song that combines uplifting lyrics with a danceable beat. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in UK charts and earning the group a nomination for a BRIT award. Another great song in the album is One Step Too Far, a collaboration with Dido. The song is characterized by Dido's angelic vocal performance coupled with Maxi Jazz and Sister Bliss' enchanting electronic music.

Most Innovative Parts of the Album

The most innovative part of the album is the way the group combines different styles of electronic dance music. Outrospective has elements of trance and house music mixed with breakbeat and techno. The album is also characterized by its use of sound samples and unusual rhythms, making it an album that stands out in the electronic music genre.

Critique of the Album

While Outrospective is a great album that showcases Faithless' talent for melding different electronic dance music styles, some songs are weaker than others. For instance, Crazy English Summer, a slow-paced, melancholic song, doesn't fit the rest of the album's energetic vibe. Overall, however, the album is an excellent addition to any electronic dance music collection.

In conclusion, Outrospective is a brilliant album that showcases Faithless' creativity in blending different electronic dance music styles. The album is a testament to the group's growth as they incorporate more styles to their music. From the uplifting We Come 1 to the evocative Muhammad Ali, the album is packed with great songs. If you're a fan of electronic dance music, then Outrospective is an album you should have in your collection.