Chemically Sound

Tom and Ed's fifth long-player is madder than ever

The sixth Chemical Brothers album had people from all corners of Mixmag Towers asking "Who the hell is this?", which has to be a good sign. Fourteen years into their careers, most band have long since solidified into formula. But the new Tom'n'Ed record starts with their trademark space-explosion freakout and adds Bloc Party-stlye urban doomsaying, meditative campfire grooves and a comedy rap track, 'The Salmon Dance', that stars a talking fish (and that one's going to be a single). Instead of grandstanding Noel Gallagher-grade guest stars, there's the Klaxons, folk shaman Willy Mason and London MC Ali Love. It's not the violent lurch into the unknown that made 'Push The Button' an unexpacted career best, and it's true to say that there's no 'Galvanize' here -- but it's the most random record they've yet made, and almost every peiece of it still sounds like the Chems. Apart from the minimal-inspired intro to 'Saturate' -- which veers off into lunatic drum chaos anyway -- there's no concessions to 'now' sounds or inscenes. Instead this is Tom and Ed exploring their own inner space and outer limits. 'We Are The Night' is one of those records that sounds ridiculous the first time you hear it, fascinating the second and indispensable the thrid. We'd advise getting started early.

4/4 headphones.

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This is a pretty good review, no? The only thing that was kinda a let-down was the fact that the Justice ablum along with 7 other albums and mix albums on the page before all also got 4/4 headphones. Meh, can't be picky!

Mixmag has been quite kind to the Brothers over the past couple of albums. They had a nice interview with the Chems when Push The Button came out.

I don't think it's really a bad thing the Chems got 4 headphones/stars/ratings along with 7 other albums. Perhaps it just means (for Mixmag) it's a good time for electronic music - the Chems have some competition, and after this long in their careers we know they've persevered. They are tops with me and that's what matters. heh. :P

People - The Salmon Dance will be a single!

I was hoping for All Rights - but i have a feeling Salmon might do very very well as a single.

I'm hoping All Rights Reversed will get the single treatment as well. It would have been my guess.

Wouldn't it be funny if Salmon Dance became a breakout hit?!?

wtf? PTB is an unexpected career best? WATN is one of those albums that sound ridiculous the first time? And they said MINIMAL! Fuckers! Sorry but I really do not like this review.

I think the review puts it just right. perfect perspective. this is ed n tom's most random record yet, and still very chemical. that says it all.

FUCK I CANT WAIT FOR THE 2ND!!!!!! KAMMONN!! CANT WAIT!!

Minimal in the context really wasn't that bad. I just said at the start of saturate, which is for the most part true. It clearly states that the song blasts off into awesome non-minimalism.

What day does this come out?

bwah.

Nice to see mixmag making nice.

As i said the new mixmag has a good interview with the boys

@Prochem - I mostly agree. PTB was NOT a career best, and the only thing about WATN that is ridiculous is The Salmon Dance, which is intentional, of course.

It's just fine to use the word minimal, but I wouldn't even describe the intro as anything but an intro. Do It Again isn't minimal per se, but it has minimal tendencies.

But as Whirly says, "Minimal Shminimal."

A positive review, and pointed recognition.