Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Prodigal Sons have returned, and they're ready to party like it's 1993. The kings of sanctified old school techno have released a full length album, and they can still dance.
The title of the album is "Reignite" and could easily have been named "Reunite." After having split up and out of the scene for a while (although they had other projects) they jump right back in the swing of things. Everything is poised for the comeback except for one thing: Nobody told them that techno has changed. Now if you are a fan of the old school, then get out of your chair and go pick up this album. It will be everything you want it to be. But if you've been down with the scene just within the last few years, and despise the earlier beats, then skip this album.
There are a few tracks like "Republic," and the remix (by Kaboing) of their hit "Prosperity Tweakers," that sound real tight. "Republic" starts off with a smooth trance build up, then bangs off into a half step beat that will get the lounge moving. But in contrast to these, are songs like "Presence." This song sounds too much like Moby, and might have been a hit way back in the day, but it's 8 years too late. The problem with it is that it's cluttered with too much piano and takes you nowhere. That's the problem with this album: It leaves you where you started.
It's not that every song is a strike out, but if you want to average out the good with the bad, then you're batting .500. Which is good if you're a baseball player, but you're a consumer, so be careful. If you weren't down with the Prodigal Sons from the start, then you probably wouldn't have your mind swayed by this album.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Zik JacksonHaving been described as "hardcore techno/rave knob-twiddlers" by John "The C.O.D." Turpin, Prodigal Sons returns to the Christian dance/rave scene with Reignite on N*Soul Records. Producer/remixer Greg Hobgood and leader J.R. Barbee pound out danceable techno beats and instrumental rave tracks with a renewed energy, after having temporarily disbanded in 1998. Listing 808 State as one of their…
