From the Evening Standard........


http://www.thisislon...e-the-future.do

Not a bad review, I mean good positive review, but not a great writer in my opinion!

Good to read that the reviewer appreciated the new material and that the presentation was a success.

I like the idea that their new set is challenging peoples' expectations, but still managing to delight and amaze them.

I concur about the writing.
Why exactly would one think it bad to start the show with Further? I personally would expect to be freaking amazing, even if I had no idea about any of the new tracks.
So... yes, lame writing.

I didn't read this as a negative review. It was actually quite favorable and wasn't badly written. The writer didn't say it was a bad idea to start the show off with Further. If you think about it...
Since we are big fans we expect their show to be amazing no matter what they do, because we trust the Chems are going to throw a good party. If you're not a raving fan, then the idea of going to a show where a band is playing (world premiering) 1 album start to finish that nobody has ever heard before, and maybe tack on some tracks at the end of the set doesn't seem like... well it doesn't seem like a tantalizing idea (again, If you're not a raving fan). It's a concept, which in and of itself has certain risks. The Chems playing Further in its entirety, than wrapping up their show with a selection of songs from their back catalog, was actually a risky thing to do. Especially seeing as most people beyond the forum realm (those of the general masses that aren't tracking the Bros every move and watching the forum track speculation unfold) have for the most part only knowingly been exposed to just Escape Velocity and Swoon.

The end result is that these shows have so far been a success. I think that's what the writer was getting at.

The Chems have incredible faith in what they do, and they have incredible faith in their audience. They couldn't have pulled this off any other way.

From what I read, Further is meant to be played as a whole, there's a story on the visuals, so I think that's a good idea to play it from beginning to end at a live. It will be an experience !

It can't be that negative a review, he give it 4 stars.

Another review from The Guardian



http://www.guardian....brothers-review

I think the review is quite fair, embrace the future yes, but don't forget the past.   

Last night was an amazing night and they will always impress if you are a fan. The intro delivered as it should, a generous build up followed by thumping beats, it ticked all the boxes and got everyone jumping so mission accomplished!

I still seemed a little underwhelmed on reflection. A few classic tunes would have significantly enhanced the experience for most of us. The suggestion of using old samples amongst a new set will only disappoint if not followed through.

Seriously not cool to finish 10 minutes early with no prior warning when all the crowd want is their last chance to mark the occasion.

Still an awesome night with awesome new material

nalaknip, on 22 May 2010 - 02:25 PM, said:

Quote

That's the stupidest thing I ever read. Chemical Brothers trying to catch-up with Crookers ? The reviewer must be a 12 years old kid who doesn't know a thing about electronic music.

EDIT : I see he gave 4/5 stars to Mariah Carrey's album. That explains somethings...

i got to admit the show doesn't end properly in my opinion.

it finished on thursday 10 mins before the curfew. there was no encore as such. the set was split into 2 halves, with tom and ed having a 5 minute break in the middle. chemical beats was pretty epic ending, but normally thats played at the end of the main set. the crowd expected an encore and didnt leave at the end of the show, expecting more.

sneaker:beater, on 22 May 2010 - 02:47 PM, said:

Maybe they'll play an encore tonight. Or maybe they did yesterday ? We didn't have a lot of feedbacks on last night's show

Did not say it was negative, and I'm glad a few can see it's flaws (the review), and exactly - Further is a story and was always going to be played from start to finish, the reporter writes with some surprise!?

Sorry Ben_J - I know you have already said this but, and I agree with you:

http://www.guardian....brothers-review
"it is evident at times that the Chemical Brothers are playing catch-up with the sounds of younger dance acts such as Crookers and Booka Shade".

Think I might start up as a reporter tomorrow, clearly they let any Tool loose at computer!!

First half excellent. The giant screen is astounding and its wonderful seeing how technology allows for making the visuals even better year on year!

Second half...good but essentially an hours version of the 07 tour. Only one track not heard live in 6 years included. One section of three tracks played back to back is essentially just exactly as it was performed the world over 3 years ago. Kinda gutted tbh. But it doesnt help that I saw the 07 tour about 10 times and therefore know it like the back of my hand and the disheartening abrupt ending is a pisser.

BUT The Roundhouse is a stunning venue suited perfectly for the boys.

I hope for the future tours that the 07 set is well and truly dumped/seriously reworked and some of the much older stuff not heard out in years (eg. Private Psychedelic Reel, Song of the Siren) makes a well deserved reappearance when the next tour happens.

If there was promise that the set would be any different from Thursday and Friday night's show, then I would head back up tomorrow but my best mate assures me Fri's show was a carbon copy of the Thurs.

LusciousLucy, on 22 May 2010 - 10:39 AM, said:

Bring back Electrobank!

I think we have to appreciate that putting this new LP together, and for the first time with films for each one of these pieces of music all under 3 years is pretty astonishing stuff, and you can imagine that most of that 3 years was pretty hard work.

I can see why some early viewers are mentioning negative views regarding similarities with the 07 show, however, this is about Further. They have worked solidly on this LP for sometime and we may have been waiting even longer for these shows/Album if they were still putting together new ways to play the older material. . . The 07 show was a smashing success and the Headline show at Glastonbury that year only acts as evidence of this, if it aint broke dont fix it, 3 years have gone by and I can't wait to see the old stuff from the 2007 shows again, doesn't bother me one bit, but this time, bigger and better! Guys, c'mon???????

Personally, I think it's 100% right to play Further from start to finish, it would disrupt the flow to tamper with that concept, and to include a collection of some of their biggest hits at the end as kind of an encore is no risk at all, I don't see how that is a risk, and in my opinion is very clever - The priority is Further, it's a story, about pushing the boundaries of electronic music and visual presentation, and the hits package is a reminder of the history that this band has created.

I can't wait for the arena tours, as with the early previews of WATN back in 07, the performaces changed and progressed, so it's very early days, they play off reactions, so if they feel the need to take away or add, then I'm sure Tom and Ed will, but they will not give in to the masses and what I have heard and seen so far is a triumphant return to form, the screen and the visuals are like nothing I have ever seen, the quality and new direction is a bold but clever move.

LusciousLucy, on 22 May 2010 - 07:39 AM, said:

VMan, on 22 May 2010 - 08:35 AM, said:

I am sorry in advance for dissecting these posts...

Although what LuciousLucy said can be taken to heart, and I can see where you're coming from with defending the show - I don't think it was meant to be harsh but rather a critique coming from the perspective of someone who has taken the effort to see the Chems 10 times during the last tour and has seen them countless times over the Brothers' career.



Interesting and honest feedback all around. Really! I can tell you right now that although it's nice to see a good review 'in print' from a newsworthy publication, I'd much rather read what fans have to say about their shows from our own perspective.

You guys are the real judges, here! Some judges are stricter than others, hehe.

VMan, on 22 May 2010 - 08:35 AM, said:

I knew someone would take my risky comment to mean something negative. Of course you do not see the risk in this approach because you are a big fan. I mean, to me I think playing Further front back was a great idea - but I'm a fan who is chomping at the bit to hear something, anything played out live by my favorite musicians. I can't wait! We're all their cheerleaders here and as much as I gloat on the Chems, there has to be some perspective.

What wouldn't have been a risk is if Tom and Ed had gone out there and played a greatest hits set with some new material sprinkled in the mix!

What's done is done. The end result is people seemed to love Further which is great!

I think these shows are a good way to test the waters and see how people react. The Chems are creative men. You know they'll change things up to keep things exciting. It's they who are going to have to play this stuff night after night...

Arenas should be banned. Small venues always better.

Sorry guys, I've had to much lemonade today - No harm meant to anyone, honest!