Japanese pressing of their ninth studio album. Co-produced with the legendary Trevor Horn and includes the single 'I'm With Stupid' along with a bonus disc entitled, 'Fundamentalism' that includes eight additional tracks,... more » Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix), Sodom (Trentmoller Mix), Psychological (Alter Ego Remix), Flamboyant (Michael Mayer Mix), Minimal (Tiga Remix), I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix), Gomorrah (Dettinger Remix) and In Private (Stuart Crichton Club Mix). EMI.« less
Japanese pressing of their ninth studio album. Co-produced with the legendary Trevor Horn and includes the single 'I'm With Stupid' along with a bonus disc entitled, 'Fundamentalism' that includes eight additional tracks, Fugitive (Richard X Extended Mix), Sodom (Trentmoller Mix), Psychological (Alter Ego Remix), Flamboyant (Michael Mayer Mix), Minimal (Tiga Remix), I'm With Stupid (Melnyk Heavy Petting Mix), Gomorrah (Dettinger Remix) and In Private (Stuart Crichton Club Mix). EMI.
CD Reviews
Great Album - Horrible Copy Protection
Chris In Jersey | New Jersey, USA | 06/09/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"You can read a review of the complete album on the UK special edition item. This Japan 2 cd edition includes two songs not found elsewhere for now: I'm With Stupid (PSB Maxi-Mix)- excellent mix that sounds more contemporary than the original album mix; Minimal (Tiga's MININIMAL Remix)- just ok.
The reason for the low rating on this Import is that the cds have macrovision copy protection which is annoying. If you put this cd in your PC, it will not play but comes up with a software install that is in Japanese (makes sense as it's a Japanese import). If you cannot read Japanese this will pose a problem as you won't know what to even do if you take the chance to install the software to play the cd.
if you want to play this on a cd player you should be fine. Not iPod, PC, or MP3 friendly for anyone not able to read Japanese.
"
Getting around the stinky copy protection!
Brooks Jenkins | Charlotte, NC USA | 06/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great CD...stinky copy protection! Get around it by downloading a trial 21-day version of ANYDVD software (do a search kiddies!) to remove the pesky critters. Your problem will be solved and you can give the CD the five stars it deserves. I'm going to enjoy my Japanese import edition on my Ipod!!!"
Copyright protection
asturiaz | Belgium | 11/11/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I bought the Japanese 2-cd edition of "Fundamental". The album is okay, nothing exceptional though. And for those who wonder what the two exclusive songs look like: they are not great, especially the TIGA mix which is very repetitive.
The point of my review is the copyright protection. I paid the full price to buy the CDs and I cannot even make myself a copy: I wanted to put one of the songs on a compilation and the song keeps slipping. Furthermore, the CD may have hidden a spyware on my computer - this is usually a program that produces the slipping. Sorry, I am not OK with that and will no longer buy Parlophone CDs as well as PSB releases. More largely, I wonder if it is even worth keeping buying CDs. Finally, I intended to play one of the remixes on a radio show, but I have decided not to give them airplay."
The absolute ULTIMATE release--the only one featuring "I'm W
Daniel W. Kelly | Long Island, NY United States | 09/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately for those of us who grabbed the original double imports that were released, this import hesitated in being released...and turns out to be the ONLY place you can get the PSB Maxi-Mix of "I'm With Stupid" on CD--which means diehard remix collectors had to buy ANOTHER copy! If you don't own it yet, and are deciding which version to get, then lucky you--because here is the DEFINITIVE.
Considering the opportunity PSB had to really break loose and finally find a home in the new retro/electrohouse genre, I was a bit disappointed with the main disc here. Madonna, Andy Bell, Lasgo, Infernal--they've all released amazing albums that capture the essence of the 80s while still sounding modern. PSB have had dance masterpieces like "It's a Sin" and "So Hard", but all that brilliance seems to have gotten lost in a campy/big broadway show tune feel with their efforts over the last decade.
As for the CD itself, things start off promising on FUNDAMENTAL with "psychological", a moody, depeche mode-esque track. Sodom and Gomorrah will quickly grow on you--it almost has a rock/orchestral ELO feel to it. "I Made My Excuses and Left" is slow and boring. "Minimal" is excellent, reminding me of Neil's time with Electronic. "Numb"--well, the title says it all. Boring and slow. "God Willing" is an interlude, running only a minute and 17 seconds. "Luna Park," another slow track! (but better than the others). "I'm With Stupid"--modest dance track, but a good lead off single, if not a little cheesy. "Casanova in Hell"--another slow track. "Twentieth Century", another moody track with a soft electronic synth rhythm. "Indefinite Leave to Remain" is another slow song, with that dramatic show tune feel. A few slow tunes are okay, but PSB can get really monotonous when they slow things down. "Integral"--BRILLIANT way to end the album. A rockin electro house tune with heavy percussion, a throbbing synth bass, and orchestral hits. Now THAT'S the PSB I remember--and of which I wanted more.
The bonus disc has not only remixes from the album, but also tracks drawn from other sources. "Fugitive" as remixed by Richard X is exactly what I expected from the whole FUNDAMENTAL album--an electro/synth/retro dance masterpiece. "Sodom" gets a driving electro mix, but is not really a sing along track. "Psychological" gets a dance mix that is somewhat trippy--not a full fledged club track. "Flamboyant" is really out of place here--this mix sounds dated, like stuff they were releasing five years ago. "I'm With Stupid" is not a particularly catchy mix--the original is much better. This one is too moody. "In Private" is quite a dramatic dance track--and a duet with Elton John!!! A real treasure. "Minimal" should have been left alone--this is a trippy mix. "Gomorrah"--a really painfully slow mix. And the exclusive PSB maxi-mix of "I'm With Stupid", well it is absolutely crucial to have, considering it is basically the definitive extended remix version.
So all in all, you get about half and half from each disc--compile the best tracks from both discs together and you'll have the ultimate FUNDAMENTAL release."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1