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THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS
The Chemical Brothers - one of the most acclaimed and innovative electronic duo in the world - have announced details of their tenth studio album For That Beautiful Feeling.
Recorded in the band’s own studio just near the south coast, this is a record that hunts for and captures that that wild moment when sound overwhelms you and almost pulls you under yet ultimately lets you ride its wave, to destinations unknown. It’s a record that pinpoints the exact moment you lose all control, where you surrender and let the music move you as if pulled by an invisible thread.
Barry says: There is absolutely no sign that The Chemical Brothers are slowing down, with 2019's incendiary 'No Geography' blowing people away and 'For That Beautiful Feeling' set to do so even more. It's a triumphant, heavy hitting marvel that is enhanced perfectly by Halo Maud's distinctive vocal talents. Classic 'chems and then some.
Recorded in the band’s own studio just near the south coast, this is a record that hunts for and captures that that wild moment when sound overwhelms you and almost pulls you under yet ultimately lets you ride its wave, to destinations unknown. It’s a record that pinpoints the exact moment you lose all control, where you surrender and let the music move you as if pulled by an invisible thread.
STAFF COMMENTS
Matt says: Rocketing into orbit with the stadium inferno that is “Live Again”, there’s little chance to touch down, as Tom and Ed hit the thrusters for one of the most stratospheric ‘Chems LPs we can remember. A rousing & rebellious message for our times, with the usual smattering of guest appearances and sampled vox articulating their uplifting insubordination with soaring, memorable hooks.Barry says: There is absolutely no sign that The Chemical Brothers are slowing down, with 2019's incendiary 'No Geography' blowing people away and 'For That Beautiful Feeling' set to do so even more. It's a triumphant, heavy hitting marvel that is enhanced perfectly by Halo Maud's distinctive vocal talents. Classic 'chems and then some.
TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Live Again (feat. Halo Maud)
3. No Reason
4. Goodbye
5. Fountains
6. Magic Wand
7. The Weight
8. Skipping Like A Stone (feat. Beck)
9. The Darkness That You Fear (Harvest Mix)
10. Feels Like I’m Dreaming
11. For That Beautiful Feeling (feat. Halo Maud)
"Originally pressed as a four track promo 12" in 1995, and again as a five track CD for the US market in 2000, this is the first time all five Charlatans' Chemical Brothers remixes have been available together on vinyl.The remix of Patrol was originally released as a b-side of the Jesus Hairdo in 1994, whilst Nine Acre Dust and Chemical Risk Dub appeared on the Just When You're Thinking Things Over single in 1995.
TRACK LISTING
1. Toothache (Chemical Risk Mix)
2. Chemical Risk Dub (Toothache Mix)
3. Nine Acre Dust (Chemical Brothers Remix)
4. Toothache (Instrumental Mix)
5. Patrol (Chemical Brothers Mix)
"No Geography", the Chemical Brothers tenth studio album since 1995, features singles "Free Yourself" and "MAH" ('a short & bloody ride into our modern media psychosis' - The Guardian) and the forthcoming single "Got To Keep On". Many tracks feature vocals by Norwegian singer / songwriter Aurora while Japanese rapper Nene features on "Eve of Destruction".
It's quintessentially a Chemical experience from start to finish - combining the duo's uncanny knack at sound design and break manipulation with their usual playful, stadium-slaying production. Like contemporaries Modeselektor, Tom & Ed never take themselves too seriously, yet ably compete with the world's best producers. They combine the myriad and often fractured, disparate influences and styles across the dance music spectrum into something that they can confidently declair their own. 25 years in the game and you still know when it's a Chemical Brothers beat! Unmissable stuff from two of Northern England's greatest dance music exponents.
It's quintessentially a Chemical experience from start to finish - combining the duo's uncanny knack at sound design and break manipulation with their usual playful, stadium-slaying production. Like contemporaries Modeselektor, Tom & Ed never take themselves too seriously, yet ably compete with the world's best producers. They combine the myriad and often fractured, disparate influences and styles across the dance music spectrum into something that they can confidently declair their own. 25 years in the game and you still know when it's a Chemical Brothers beat! Unmissable stuff from two of Northern England's greatest dance music exponents.
STAFF COMMENTS
Matt says: Brothers Chem return ahead of another world tour. Have they lost their magic? Definitely not. Like good wine, they get better as time goes on. Effortlessly turning their hand to whatever trend dance music throws at them; Tom and Ed ride again!TRACK LISTING
1. Eve Of Destruction
2. Bango
3. No Geography
4. Got To Keep On
5. Gravity Drops
6. The Universe Sent Me
7. We’ve Got To Try
8. Free Yourself
9. MAH
10. Catch Me I’m Falling
Following their fourth consecutive #1 album, the double Grammy winning "Push The Button", 2007 saw The Chemical Brothers return with their sixth long player "We Are The Night"; twelve tracks that cover psychedelic warehouse party acid music, electro-breakers, dreamy Balearica, 80s inspired alt-dance sounds and even a bit of new rave, euphorically melodic and as uncompromising as their retina scorching live shows. Trailed by the madcapped, cartoony future funk of "The Salmon Dance", "We Are The Night" set its psychedelic stall out from the off, sweeping through krautrock killers "A Modern Midnight Conversation". As ever Tom and Ed gathered together a stellar list of contemporary vocalists to add depth to their tracks. This time round guest appearances come from Klaxons, Willy Mason, Fat Lip, Spank Rock, Ali Love and Midlake's Tim Smith. Grooves, bleeps and beats that sound like robots brawling - plenty of fuel for your salmon dancing party!
TRACK LISTING
No Path To Follow
We Are The Night
All Rights Reversed
Saturate
Do It Again
Das Spiegel
The Salmon Dance
Burst Generator
A Modern Midnight Conversation
Battle Scars
Harpoons
The Pills Won't Help You Now
Wooah there! Let's start at the beginning then. One of many CLASSIC (and I really do mean that) Chemical Brothers LPs to be reissued this week. I actually discovered "Exit Planet Dust" AFTER the critically acclaimed, much lauded, "Dig Your Own Hole" (also in this week). Once "Dig..." had its clawed its way into a young 14 year old's psyche, one had to feverishly acquire everything that was released by these kings of breakbeat. I remember a CD shop in Aflecks selling me the CD of this record, originally released in 1995 (I think I got mine in '98) along with a load of 'live', 'B-side' and 'unreleased' CD-rs (cough cough). Anyway, they could do no wrong! This was their breathtaking debut - with a title hinting at the historical law suit which meant Tom and Ed went from being called The Dust Brothers to the Chemical Brothers. Meeting at Manchester university, the pair became synonymous with that late nineties breakbeat sound - along with people like Utah Saints, Fatboy Slim, Midfield General and Freddy Fresh. However, they also adapted and collaborated, with this record featuring the Charlatans' Tim Burgess alongside the (then relatively unknown) Beth Orton - both of whom would work with the dastardly duo again over their incredibly long and fruitful career. Although later veering into lots of different styles, for me the first three albums, this along with "Dig Your Own Hole" and "Surrender" could never be topped! Like Fatboy Slim's "Better Living Through Chemistry", or Leftfield's "Rhythm And Stealth" - undeniably British and essential pieces of our rich dance music legacy. Every home needs one!
The Chems bring us another collision of breaks and 4/4 beats, with influences taken from acid house, electro, rock and funk. Their fourth album proper, it saw Tom and Ed deploy their tough but funky brand of breakbeat driven electronics alongside more radio friendly, dare I say it, poppier moments. Chemical Bro. favourite Beth Orton makes another welcome appearance on "The State We're In", while a newly formed relationship with the Verve's Richard Ashcroft results in album closer "The Test" seeing Brothers Chem conjure up a fiery broth of rumbling breaks and epic chord changes, with Ashcroft throwing down a very "Loaded"-era vocal. "Come With Us", "It Began In Afrika" and "Star Guitar" all ensured this would be getting maximum radio play, while tracks like "Denmark" and "Pioneer Skies" ensured those headlining festival slots would have fresh material to blow the roof off with. "Hoops" and "My Elastic Eye" sealing the deal with classic Chemical Brother breaks. Another wonderful set from the duo.
On "Further" The Chemical Brothers explore new grounds. From the first squeezed-out notes, those analogue dots and dashes that flash and spark from the speakers, "Further" sounds like a record that is trying to break out of its confines. Like an alien Morse code transmission, it pulses like an Earth bound signal that’s been bounced off the side of orbiting space debris. Snatches of voices found out in the ether cut through the machine fog, drifting across burbling analogue equipment lovingly kept working long after supposed sell-by date. By the time the click and thump of snare and bass drum arrive, the sounds are all encompassing, swirling around you with dizzying, disorientating effect. Noise is untethered by constraints of volume, seemingly leaping from left to right to middle with a life of its own. This was The Chemical Brothers' most psychedelic album to date, almost referencing Spiritualized's opus "Ladies And Gentlemen...." It shows Tom and Ed developing as they mature, veering away from the club and into the living rooms and coffee tables of the rave generation; music to lose your mind to, in the comfort of your own home! "Further" is the culmination of nearly two decades of psychedelic exploration, an immersive collection that sees The Chemical Brothers at their least-restrained and most free spirited, melodic best.
Ok, onto the second release of the Chemical Brothers life changing discography and it was this one that really set the world on fire. "Dig Your Own Hole" saw the pair hit the mainstream - mainly due to the extensive licensing for advertising the album saw - forcing the pair to address the issue in interviews at the time (underground dance music doesn't belong on adverts - said the critics...). But for the less elitist this didn't bother us, it actually shone a light on this incredible act OUTSIDE of the club (remember, I was only 13 years old at the time!) meaning a whole generation of teenagers suddenly started listening to dance music and reading Ministry / Mixmag - even though we were too young to go to any of the clubs! Such was the mystic power of the Chems. Tracks off this album need little introduction. "Block Rockin' Beats" - you know that one. "Where Do I Begin" - saw the return of the fragile, Elf-like beauty that is Beth Orton on vocals and became a comedown anthem of the times. "The Private Psychedelic Reel" showed that they could do epic, festival pleasing songs - earning them regular appearance at Glastonbury and the multitude of outdoor raves up and down the country. Then there's fuckin NOEL GALLAGHER (!!!) on "Setting Sun" - instantly aligning the baggy, floppy haired duo with the massive, fledging Brit Pop scene. The rest, as they say, is history - the Chems became a global act; they headlined the Pyramid Stage about 5 years on the trot, James Holroyd (Piccadilly customer and Bugged Out! resident) became their tour DJ, again, cementing their credentials with the dance music aficionados of the day. Nine more albums were to emanate from the pair, with countless remixes and singles to boot. But to me, the first trilogy of albums, with "Surrender" following in 2001, where the absolute zenith for me, and iconic slices of UK dance music heritage that should be displayed with pride at any instance. A classic.
Continuing with celebrating 40 years of disruption of the Virgin Records label, we’re pressing a very limited number of the some of the labels land mark albums as single and double vinyl LPs.
Released in 1999 'Surrender' proved that the Chemical Brothers were always bigger and better than the one dimensional big beat genre they'd been lumped with earlier in the decade. Showcasing Tom and Ed's expansive musical tastes the album takes in motorik krautrock rhythms, 80s electro-disco ('Out Of Control' featuring Bernard Sumner), Beatlesesque psychedelic block rockers ('Let Forever Be' with Noel Gallagher), fierce technoid bangers, sun-dappled dreaminess ('Asleep From Day' featuring Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval) and mega festival smashes ('Hey Boy Hey Girl'). all given the widescreen Chemicals production feel.
Released in 1999 'Surrender' proved that the Chemical Brothers were always bigger and better than the one dimensional big beat genre they'd been lumped with earlier in the decade. Showcasing Tom and Ed's expansive musical tastes the album takes in motorik krautrock rhythms, 80s electro-disco ('Out Of Control' featuring Bernard Sumner), Beatlesesque psychedelic block rockers ('Let Forever Be' with Noel Gallagher), fierce technoid bangers, sun-dappled dreaminess ('Asleep From Day' featuring Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval) and mega festival smashes ('Hey Boy Hey Girl'). all given the widescreen Chemicals production feel.