Has the world passed Funki Porcini by? _The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds_ was disappointing, so how will _Fast Asleep_ fare? The throttled samples from his earlier albums are still there in the opening, "What Are You Looking At?", as are the the more ambient tracks, such as "The Big Sea." But the funky part of Funki Porcini is present as well, whether in the "We're Out of Here" interlude or the jazz of "16 Megatons." Porcini seems to be drifting much more on this album, perhaps taking the spirit of "50,000 Ft. Freefall" too much to heart. "The Great Drive By" sort of keeps on going, and "Weow" doesn't quite develop into a full song. But that doesn't mean you can't take pleasure in the short and subtle "Sleepy" or the classical-tinged "Last Night Over Norway." What I miss most, however, is the sense of humor that he had on his first two albums. It makes a brief appearance on "Terminal C3 UK" and the closer "Back Home," but in short supply elsewhere. Ah, well. Maybe this will serve as a wake-up call.

The bonus DVD that comes with this release is really something extra. The videos for 'Atomic Kitchen' and 'The Great Drive By' is kind of simple but very extraordinary and different, something I've never seen before. I would say it's worth buying the CD for the DVD only. But there is some good tracks on this album as well, even if your not a Porcini-fan.