Junkie Xl Booming Back At You CD - Import

It's hard to figure out what's more delicious, the idea of Junkie XL being the flagship artist of Artwerk -- the label launched by video game giant Electronic Arts -- or the shameless cover of "Cities in Dust" included on Booming Back at You, the dance producer's debut for the label. The latter takes Siouxsie and the Banshees' goth rock tale of ancient Pompeii residents being smothered in lava and turns it into a whip-cracking floor-filler with a booming drumbeat and vocalist Lauren Rocket replacing Siouxsie's ironic "my friend" with a kick-ass "yeah!" If that sounds dreadful, you probably won't like the other highlight with Rocket, "More," where the singer rallies all hedonists with "Rock more/Roll more/Fuck more/Pac-Man is loving it." Musically, Junkie is as reliable and unoriginal as a video game music composer should be, as he skillfully brings a world where big beat never died into the modern age where the revivalist electro of Benny Benassi and such reigns supreme. Exciting Fatboy Slim-inspired floor-fillers rule and are rounded out by a couple of quirky numbers like the weirdo noir "Mad Pursuit" and "Zage," which sounds like Kraftwerk's gear misfiring. Add "No Way" -- which playfully acknowledges Junkie's video game forefathers with some classic Namco-styled tones -- and that's it for stunners, with the rest of the album fading into a background suitable for caffeine-fueled LAN parties or clubs where chic and tacky coexist. Not enough to raise him above "the guy who remixed Elvis" and no great disappointment either. ~ David Jeffries

As Junkie XL, Dutch born musician, producer, remixer and one-man band Tom Holkenborg has become synonymous with Electronic Dance music. With the arrival of his fifth proper studio album, 2008's invigorating Booming Back at You, the club culture icon and L.A. transplant has crafted a disc that not only builds on his beloved back catalogue but is also inspired by today's vibrant new school of Dance music and matches the momentum and enthusiasm of his notorious live performances. Musically never comfortable in one place, his work highlights surprises for his fans. Spearheaded by the disc's lead track, "Booming Right At You" paves the way for a simultaneously infectious and exhilarating song sequence. It boasts the guest vocals of Tommy Vext. 12 tracks.Uncut (p.93) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[With] computer-game bleep-scapes, electro-stomp grrrl-punk and skiploads of piledriver rhythms..."
Alternative Press (p.163) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "It's master-crafted to kill in the clubs....JXL's enthusiastic proficiency is largely consistent throughout."