Performer Notes

Underworld: Karl Hyde, Rick Smith.
Audio Mixers: Rick Smith ; Mike Nielsen.
Recording information: LemonWorld.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Darren Price; Haydn Cruickshank; Pete The Greek; Chris Ridge; John Newsham.
As if they didn't have to prove they're still viable as a commercial and artistic outfit, Underworld's Rick Smith and Karl Hyde faced an additional challenge for A Hundred Days Off -- prove to the dance cognoscenti they could withstand the loss of Darren Emerson, the producer who kick-started the band when he joined in 1992. Underworld's trademarked sound, however, is mostly a creation of Smith and Hyde, and present from the opener, "Mo Move," wherein a dizzying cycle of gurgling bass, crepe paper percussion, and sequencers sets off Hyde's lonely, adrift vocals. The album reaches an early peak on "Two Months Off," with a repeated synthesizer riff playing off a brilliant succession of harmonies and basslines, with a hypnotizing performance by Hyde over the top. From there, the album heads off into a succession of familiar tracks, either po-mo acid house blues … la Dubnobasswithmyheadman ("Sola Sistim," "Trim," "Ballet Lane") or minimalist, pinpoint techno ("Dinosaur Adventure 3D," "Luetin"). Surprisingly, counter to expectations after the brash youngster leaves the fold, A Hundred Days Off doesn't suffer from the oldster syndrome; the production is edgy and up to date as usual. ~ John Bush

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (10/02, p.69) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Underworld still nail a groove and then just sit on it forever...The beauty of A HUNDRED DAYS OFF is that it pumps and churns so suggestively."

Spin (11/02, p.120) - 8 out of 10 - "...The most user-friendly record of Underworld's career..."

Uncut (10/02, p.108) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A very fine album--Underworld don't make any other kind...a beautiful and baffling enigma."

CMJ (9/16/02) - p.6) - "...The duo has developed a newfound maturity, resulting in a multifaceted piece of work..."

Mojo (Publisher) (10/02, p.100) - "...This is a big, big sound...the overall feel is of a band who've given themselves permission to have fun."

NME (Magazine) (9/14/02, p.39) - 8 out of 10 - "...Karl and Rick have pulled off a comeback in fine style....Underworld prove that you're only as old as the technology you use..."

Album: A Hundred Days Off
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Mo Move	More Info...	0:07
2)	Two Months Off	More Info...	0:09
3)	Twist	More Info...	0:06
4)	Sola Sistim	More Info...	0:06
5)	Little Speaker	More Info...	0:08
6)	Trim	More Info...	0:03
7)	Ess Gee	More Info...	0:02
8)	Dinosaur Adventure 3D	More Info...	0:08
9)	Ballet Lane	More Info...	0:03
10)	Luetin	More Info...	0:07

Album: A Hundred Days Off
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Mo Move	More Info...	0:07
2)	Two Months Off	More Info...	0:09
3)	Twist	More Info...	0:06
4)	Sola Sistim	More Info...	0:06
5)	Little Speaker	More Info...	0:08
6)	Trim	More Info...	0:03
7)	Ess Gee	More Info...	0:02
8)	Dinosaur Adventure 3D	More Info...	0:08
9)	Ballet Lane	More Info...	0:03
10)	Luetin	More Info...	0:07