99%

Somewhere between the hypnotic drone of acid techno and the grating aggression of industrial metal lies Meat Beat Manifesto. On 99%, Manifesto thrives on a very original sound that takes its cue from an endless catalog of samples mixed together seamlessly over hip-hop and techno beats. The Public Enemy influence is heavy, the opener "Now" could easily fit onto Fear of a Black Planet. But Jack Dangers' psychotic yelp is more in the vein of Front Line Assembly, which can be both engaging ("10 X Faster Than the Speed of Love") and dull ("Psyche Out"), depending on the background noise. The samples take center stage at times, enhancing the pounding "All the Things You Are" and the jazz-tinged "Hello Teenage America" (featuring a classic Mothers of Invention sound bite as the hook). Although this type of music does tend to age poorly, 99% shows little sign of wear and tear. This is almost directly due to the influence of Dangers, who would go on to lead the group to more adventurous areas on future albums. His creative use of sound is what makes potential disasters like the eight-minute "Dogstar Man/Helter Skelter" stay fresh and engaging through changing the beats and samples at good moments. Fans of industrial music will probably enjoy this album, as will those interested in experimental music. This is a rewarding album that takes more than just one listen to truly sink in, but probably will not win over anyone who is not immersed in the electronic music scene.