CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

.

Ninety

by: 808 State

Release Date September 29, 2008
These three lads would go onto to produce some of the most memorable electronic and dance music of the early 90's, but for now they seemed just to be working their way upto it. Contains an early version of 'Pacific' which is a must for all fans though.

Other highlights include the speedy 'Cobra Bora' and the female vocal led 'Anaconda'.

But it does lack consistency and there is no flow to the album. It just sounds as if it has been thrown together.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

.

Exel

by: 808 State

Release Date September 29, 2008
A much more complete and consistent album than the previous '90'. It contains guest appearances from Bernard Sumner of New Order and Bjork.

Made in the early 90's so you've got to remember before buying that this was made at a time when dance music was sweeping through the UK and this Manchester group contributed to it. It may sound slightly dated compared to today's dance music but the effort that was put into this album makes it much more 'real'.

It's a mix of soft techno numbers and aggressive rave tracks. The opener 'San Francisco' is a melodic mix of techno and hip-hop while 'Lion' is a reggae-ish techno track. 'Lambrusco Cowboy' is one of the most abrasive beginning tracks 'the state' have ever produced, yet ultimately it ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

.

Quadrastate

by: 808 State

Release Date May 26, 2008
...contains a piece of dance music history in "Pacific State".

Originally more of a 12" EP than an LP, this Richard D James-sanctioned Rephlex re-issue, never before available on CD, expands the original "Quadrastate" into a 66 minute album with the inclusion of all the tracks from the "Deepville/Let Yourself Go" 12" single plus 4 previously unreleased tunes.

"Pacific State" is a legend in its own right - cited by Jeff Mills in the sleevenotes of his Azuli Records "Choice" compilation as the inspiration for Underground Resistance's "World 2 World". There aren't many white techno artists that can be said to have influenced black ones - that's a measure of just how influential 808 State were. Owners of "90" take note: this CD contains ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

.

808:88:98

by: 808 State

Release Date May 18, 1998
Growing up in the mid-90s, i was always into dance. The big chart chart acts of the day (Faithless, Fatboy Slim, Chemicals etc) were cool to me, but something was always missing....
That changed one day in 1998 when, late at night, "Pacific 707" came on the radio. The epitome of warm, smooth chillout. Immedately seduced, i slung a tape into the deck and pressed 'record'. Discovering what it was, i bought this compilation, and the rest is history.
The diverse and fascinating sounds of 808 state are squeezed beautifully into the 77 minutes on this album. On hearing the second track "Cubik" (a techno-rock slammer), i knew that the band were far more diverse that what my exposure to Pacific had led me to assume, though this is a good ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

.

Gorgeous

by: 808 State

Release Date September 29, 2008
Moses is sung by Ian McCullough of Echo and the Bunnymen - Not Bernard Sumner of New Order. Bernard sang on Spanish Heart which appeared on Ex:el, their previous album.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

.

Newbuild

by: 808 State

Release Date December 06, 2004
Moses is sung by Ian McCullough of Echo and the Bunnymen - Not Bernard Sumner of New Order. Bernard sang on Spanish Heart which appeared on Ex:el, their previous album.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

.

Don Solaris

by: 808 State

Release Date September 29, 2008
I think Graham Massey and company were really onto something while they were making this. They took giant steps away from their previous composing methods and skills to release this gem. Unfortunately, it seemed to polarize the 808 community. The only recourse I can offer is to ask folks to listen to this one again with as much of an open mind as possible. Buried in each one of these tracks are many, many elements that just don't get translated the first several times you hear it - and, likely - even more than just "several" times. It was not an immediate hit. It wasn't even "a hit", at all! But I love what they did with this record. I love the change in writing style. I love the beautiful melodies and I love the risks they took to get this incredible ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

.

Gorgeous

by: 808 State

Release Date December 01, 1996
Moses is sung by Ian McCullough of Echo and the Bunnymen - Not Bernard Sumner of New Order. Bernard sang on Spanish Heart which appeared on Ex:el, their previous album.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

.

Ex:El

by: 808 State

Release Date December 01, 1996
A much more complete and consistent album than the previous '90'. It contains guest appearances from Bernard Sumner of New Order and Bjork.

Made in the early 90's so you've got to remember before buying that this was made at a time when dance music was sweeping through the UK and this Manchester group contributed to it. It may sound slightly dated compared to today's dance music but the effort that was put into this album makes it much more 'real'.

It's a mix of soft techno numbers and aggressive rave tracks. The opener 'San Francisco' is a melodic mix of techno and hip-hop while 'Lion' is a reggae-ish techno track. 'Lambrusco Cowboy' is one of the most abrasive beginning tracks 'the state' have ever produced, yet ultimately it turns ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

.

Prebuild

by: 808 State

Release Date October 04, 2004
Most of the tracks on this album were actually produced by A Guy Called Gerald according to the guy himself and not 808 state.

Taken from A Guy Called Gerald Interview:

Interviwer: Rephlex recently released Prebuild, an album that compiles some early 808 State tracks. Would you have liked to be involved in the project?

AGCG: I was involved in the project. If you read the small print you will find 70% of the music on the album is mine prior to forming 808 State.

I:What was your reaction when you first heard that Graham Massey was putting this together?

AGCG: Brilliant. It's interesting the way things work. A vast percentage of the tracks were originally from a demo tape I made in 86/87 and gave him. ... Read More: