Apollo 440

I have heard so many far out reviews that make me wonder if anyone actually listened to the disc. I've listened to my fair share of heavy electronic and/or sampled music, though it is not my main source of music.

I had never heard of this band, and picked up their cd at the local Goodwill store for either 1 or 2 dollars. I had no pre-conceived notions of what they sounded like, I came in with a fresh mind.

These guys are great. Mostly upbeat music, with a surprising amount of rocking for an electronic outfit. All to often, electronic outfits get too repetitive and boring through a cd, but they kept it fresh.

The instrumental choices throught the CD pull from piano, organ, horns, guitar, harmonic, etc. The songs are distinguished from each other without being overdone. There is still a cohesiveness to the CD.

On one tune they seemed to channel Boards of Canada quite well. Many songs had an upbeat rocking guitar, and the Lost in Space has a guitar riff that reminded me slightly of early KMFDM. Stadium Parking Lot does indeed recall early era Beastie Boys.

In short, the CD is awesome. IF you like fresh music that might remind you of other bands while still sounding unique, I'd give em a go.


Stupidity corrected:
"70's southern rock riffs" - are you serious? You don't know what the term means, as they are not present on this cd.

"metal band with a drum machine" - huh? That's a good description of Static-X, but not these guys. (yes I like Static-X, of which these guys sound nothing like).

""Heart Go Boom:" Ridiculous. A screeching turntable combined with a harmonica, an electric guitar, and reggae? Something tells me the guys never took music theory in college." - retarded. You don't need music theory to make good music. And your description of this song? Reminds me of the Gorillaz, and they're doing quite well.


I'll stop, as there are too many moronic comments to counter. Suffice to say that those that didn't like it, attack the tracks that aren't pure techno, which most of the album isn't.

I'm not a big fan of techno/beat. I mostly appreciate the likes of artists like fatboy slim, moby, and chemical brothers. This is by far my favorite from this genre. There's just so much...energy, but yet lower key beats that rock just the same. This is easily the most diverse techno music I have ever heard. Get it-it's good for partying at the very least.

Peaceout-Monty5

Magnificent CD - superb beats. Good dancing/clubbing music.

Not really hard core techno, but very electronic. You gotta like techno or get along with everything to like this.

Very original CD - no sound used twice. Very well put together and worth your money.

There really isn't anything to NOT-LIKE on this album (aside from, perhaps, how much "Stop The Rock" was over-played at the time, certainly not the fault of the band).
As with their subsequent release "DUDE DESCENDING A STAIRCASE", "G.H.O.Y.O.S." features a wide variety of sounds and elements, all used to perfect measure. The end-result is an album which never allows the listener to become bored or disinterested. Wildly veering from lush ambient backdrops, to riffing guitar-driven techo blasts, to hazy head-nodding throb-rock slow-burners, this album is solid front-to-back.
Highly recommended (as is their follow-up album "DUDE DESCENDING A STAIRCASE").

My friends and I liked the song so much we decided to do it for the talent show and we think Stop the Rock is the best cause it has alot of beat in it. Rock on!

"Dude Descending a Staircase" successfully straddles the fence between the ambient and the exciteable styles that Apollo 440 has previously shown. Fans of the former often point to "Millenium Fever" and much of "Electroglide in Blue" as proof that the band can create lush, atmospheric, complex electronic music. The other camp, those that dig much of "Gettin' High on your Own Supply" know that @440 can rock, with big beats, brash vocals and when necessary, power guitar. Their latest work, indeed underappreciated (and unreleased in the US...found mine in Holland just this year!), generally keeps these styles separated between two discs.
The first CD showcases the party tracks, starting with the title cut, featuring the Beatnuts on vocal. yes, it's a bit corny and the hip-hop flavor doesn't really suit the band. Luckily, the rest of the tracks shine. "Hustler's Groove" is funky, with soaring 70's guitar and a great dance beat. "Disco Sucks", "Civil Disobedience" and "1,2,3,4" are in the mold of the "Gettin' High" LP- singalong shouty vocals and that synth bass bubbling that features prominently on many of that LPs tracks. Another gem on the first dis is "Escape to beyond the planet of the super ape" which, despite it's silly title, is a great space jam. It should be noted here that the 3 primary musicians (the Gray brothers and Noko) are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists and producers, which comes through especially well on "Escape..."

The second LP is the more downtempo side. Beginning with a looped acoustic guitar over Jack Kerouac's beat poetry on San Francisco, "Diamonds in the Sidewalk" has atmosphere to spare. "something's Got to Give" and "Christiane" each feature Elizabeth gray, who's voice will be familiar to fans of the "Electrolide in Blue" LP. These tracks, and indeed, all of those on the second disc are jazzy, sultry, evocing 70's funk and soul, plenty of guitar and bass, some horns, and swirling string stabs. The highlight, perhaps is "Rope, Rapture and The Rising Sun", a 7 minute chillout of a track with so many layers coming and going, all of which integrate very well.

Overall, "Dude Descending a Staircase" showcases a mature sort of electronic band...one that knows how to have a good time and craft meaningful, emotive songs at the same time. Well worth tracking down.

Such a shame really. More people need to hear this double-album and have a chance to absorb it's beauty. There are so many gems on this double-disc, and so much variety - from hard disco/funk, to electronic beats, to chill-out bliss, it's one giant mash-up with a hard-rock edge always threatening to bust-out from the sidelines.
I guess it never received a domestic-release in the U.S., which seriously limits who will hear it. Shame.
If you're a fan of their previous work (esp. "GETTING HIGH ON YOUR OWN SUPPLY"), then you will not be disappointed. Likewise, if you are a fan of playful, skillfully-created dance/funk/rap hybrids (ie. PROPELLERHEADS), indulge yourself.
Personally, I truly hope the band return soon with another masterpiece.

Unless your a big fan, I don't recommend shelling out the dough for this two disc set as nothing really stands out about this cd to validate the price.

I think this album is underrated and has been overlooked. True, it is not like the previous albums but trying new stuff is a good thing. Just listen to the beautiful keyboards and guitars of Dude Decending A Staircase combining with the Beatnuts rapping. In Hustler's Groove the guitars again prove themselves so ignore the other reviews. This is a great album that is highly underrated and under estimated.

Check it out now, you won't be disappointed.

I agree with the above review for the most part. He's right on with the songs that are really bad. Had those been left out and this cd condensed down to just one disc, we'd be looking at a pretty good release. Unfortunately a few tracks are just painful to listen to.

The ratings above on Disc 1 are a little high, most notably the title track, which is pretty awful (hip hop & electronica often don't mix). And he didn't even mention the 2 best tracks of the album, Christiane & Existe -- chillout tracks with a "secret agent" edge to them.

All in all, not as good as Electro Glide in Blue (then again it doesn't get much better than that), but close to Getting High on Your Own Supply.

I checked this out after hearing Deep Forest's absolutely phenomenal remix of "Liquid Cool" on Sasha & John Digweed's Northern Exposure. Apollo 440 is a 90's techno act through and through, but create a little variety with their judicious infusion of guitars and jock rock motifs. I enjoyed the original version of "Liquid Cool" (though it doesn't even compare to the aforementioned remix), I really enjoyed "Omega Point" with it's gorgeous downtempo groove and trippy samples, but didn't care for much else on the album. High energy rock techno, super cheesy synth lines (think Nintendo 64 racing game cheesy and you'll get the idea), and bad vocoder vocals. "Film Me & Finish Me Off" and "Pain Is A Close Up" are bearable (the former actually being a decent techno tune), but this stuff is really too dated for contemporary electronic tastes to enjoy.

I'm pretty surprised that I'm the first reviewer of this excellent album, that was released a decade ago.

Anyway, Apollo 440 are among my favorite electronic musicians, because whatever they do in records, they do with much creativity and intelligence. This album is pure energetic trance music with plenty of drive, driving bass and a strong guitar part. It makes an excellent music to drive a car on an empty highway. But also can be a pleasure to sit and listen to, which is a rarity among dance music artists. It's catchy guitar riffs and exciting rhythms will ignite a spark in you. Occasional use of other not so typical instruments, like a flute in "Film Me And Finish Me Off" only add to the feeling of listening to something special. The band also adds samples to further enhance the experience. And several tracks are slower than the album in general, providing a necessary breathing space. The record also includes a cover of Van Halen's "Don't Fear the Ripper".

If you like intelligent dance music that provides as strong an experience just listening to it, as strong it sounds on the dancefloor, you can't go wrong with @440!

I had first heard of the band "Apollo 440" from a friend that recommended their music. After liking the track I was told to listen to, I purchased this version of "Electro Glide in Blue"

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This disc has a great selection of music. To name a few samples, "Stealth Mass in F#m" is very mellow, starting out with a soft beat and slowly introduces a female vocal that gives the whole thing a very spy-movie/infiltration type feel. "Krupa" was apparently named after drummer Gene Krupa (though I haven't heard of him) and this track features a fairly steady drum beat and tempo. Towards the end, it becomes more frantic and exudes a "party time" feel. Finally, the eponymous "Electro Glide in Blue" is an all around hypnotic journey which really manages to capture the feeling of the album in full.

The case design is unique, standard size, but emulating that of an old fashioned record case, with the disc itself having a series of grooved etchings on top. So, not only is Electro Guide in Blue appealing to the ears, it's appealing to the eyes as well.

Whether you want to relax, get energized or anything in between, Electro Guide in Blue is worth purchasing.

I have about 200 CDs in my possession and have listened to countless others, and this one, hands down is the greatest album I have ever heard. It flows so well and covers every emotion. I aboslutely love it and there is no limit to the praise I give this.

Listen to this album.

Apollo four forty got my attention after the exelent track "Ain't Talkin''Bout Dub" which is a awesome dance track with some awesome samples from Van Halen. Really that kind of song that makes you feel in a good mood. They are a british dance group, i would say a new-wave dance group, cause they aren't afraid tom mix genres and add cool samples with their music. After hearing "Dub" i decided to take a look at the whole album. Their second single "Raw power" had a cool sound too, but was far from as good as the first one, but could there perhaps be others that was?. "Altamont Super-Highway Revisited" Drum and beats songs that somehow reminded me of Kraftwerk. "Electro Glide In Blue" The title track is slower but it got a nice sound, that kept me interested. "Vanishing Point" is powerful. Some slow beats and someone screaming of joy. It somehow gives me a picture, I can imagine how the video would look like only by hearing it and that what's so good with music sometimes. "Krupa" which got the name after a band member, is one of many highlights of this album. Also a Drum and beat song with some cool glad catchy sample's. "Pain In Any Language" could have been the beginning of a rock ballad. I have relized that this album is a million times better then i though. THey never got that much attention and you heard mor of the single's then the album itself. But in the other hadn this is no commercial stuff. If you like electronica music then you're gonna love this weither it sells a million copies or not. I just feel that they never got the same status as Basement Jaxx and the Chemical Brothers eventhough this album is on par with their best. Go and get it to find out yourself!

Wow. Still sound good after all this years.

I heard "Stop the Rock" on the radio, and thought it had potential. I was going to buy the album it is on. Then I read all the Amazon reviews which said that "Electro Glide in Blue" was the best Apollo 440 CD. Well if that's the case, I can't imagine how terrible "Getting High On Your Own Supply" must be.

I strongly recommend against buying this CD. It's not good. It's not even OK. There are no redeeming songs. There's nothing but mundane, trite and overdone beats. The lyrics are dumb and senseless, but not "good" dumb and senseless. The samples are repeated so much that one wonders if there's anything else to the songs.

All in all it's terrible.

The CD was a waste of $... and 1 hour of my life.

I've never reviewed anything here (or elsewhere for that matter) before, but I felt this was worth saving someone else from.

As usual, Apollo 440 have come out with a brilliant single to accompany their recent Album. The Charlies Angels soundtrack captures the film with a beat-filled powerstation that will get you up and playing air-guitar almost as much as the Lost in Space soundtrack they did! Two great films, and another great single under Apollo 440's belt, to go with the amazing film!