Exit Planet Dust
For years before the release ofExit Planet Dust, the production duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons were cranking out slabs of the biggest sounds around on the U.K. label Junior Boys' Own. Before screeching guitars and massive breakdowns were par for the course in dance music, they were unleashing monsters like "Chemical Beats" and "Song to the Siren"; their distorted beats and rock mentality were years ahead of their time. And, not surprisingly, they still hold up today, collected and rereleased, along with several newer tracks, onExit Planet Dust. All the singles that established the trademark Chemicals sound are present, as are explorations of pop-song forms with vocalists Beth Orton ("Alive Alone") and Tim Burgess ("Life Is Sweet").  While a more evolved sound can be heard on their follow-up,Dig Your Own Hole, the roots of big beat can be found here.--Matthew Corwine