Album Review: The Prodigy - Their Law: Singles 1990-2005

By Trent McMartin Jan 10, 2006, 7:32 GMT

The year was 1997; pre-pubescent pop stars Hanson and European dance group Aqua were tearing up the charts; The Notorious B.I.G was gunned down in March; Titanic set sail in theatres and it's theme song "My Heart will Go On", sung by Canadian songstress Celine Dion, began it's run of being the most requested song of the year (simultaneously the preferred choice as being the most annoying song of the year); and original grunge band Soundgarden called it quits after more than a decade together.

The year was not all bubblegum pop, East coast-West coast wars and grunge-lite posers (Remember Bush and Silverchair?). British techno-rock group The Prodigy emerged in 1997 with the massively successful album The Fat of the Land- still one of the fastest selling albums of all-time. The press hailed electronica as the "next big thing" but the public stayed away on the most part (as they usually do with all press fuelled music scenes) resulting in many of the electronic acts, with the exception of The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and a few others, being dropped from their record contracts.

With success comes expectations and the Prodigy didn't (or couldn't) capitalize on the success of Fat of the Land, falling into obscurity at least in North America. Now with their recently released two-disc set, Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005, the Prodigy is finally capitalizing on their success, albeit eight years too late. Featuring hits, rarities, remixes and live cuts, the compilation is an enjoyable listen (especially "Breathe" and "Firestarter"), but many of the tracks sound dated, especially the ones from the group's first two albums: 1992's Experience and 1994's Music for a Jilted Generation.

However, listening to this compilation will take those old enough to remember the mid 90's back in time to that era. And surprisingly, though the album didn't make any waves on the North American charts, it hit number one on the U.K. album chart indicating their continuing popularity across the pond. Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005 is available in three versions: a single CD version, a limited 2-disc set, and also a DVD.