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Anyways, I'd place this album maybe 2nd after the debut, "Exit Planet Dust". Watch it on You Tube. Chemical Brothers - Live Paris 07.07.2007 - Hey Boys Hey Girls. So it's cool. __It'll blow your mind.__ Chemical Bros. need live albums that sound just like that video clip. Real cool. Recommended.
This album is a classic. Followed by the hugely underrated Come with Us, these two albums make a case for the Chems as one of the best dance acts ever. It gets a little uneven toward the end, but not even as badly as their others, especially the overrated Dig You Own Hole. This is the best, most original they ever sounded. Forget your Joy Division. Turn on the lights and enjoy.
I actually rate this as a 4-and-a-bit star album but rounded it up to 5 to redress the generally average reviews it's received over the years. Sure, it has some lesser tracks but they help rather than hinder; I can play it before I go out or after I come home, or Tuesday night, Sunday afternoon, whenever. 'Surrender' is a TOTALLY different beast; it's more of a house/chill album and a far more painterly affair than its generally monchromatic predecessor.
Many reviews have unfavourably compared it with the Chems' previous album 'Dig Your Own Hole', claiming 'Surrender' to be a flat and/or repetitive follow-up. This lends it a greater variety of atmosphere, and whilst it is not uniformly excellent and does run slightly out of puff towards the end it is still a rich and rewarding listen, with a greater variety of styles than any of their other releases. While I enjoy reading the music press, sometimes they get it plain wrong; such, I feel, is the case with 'Surrender'.
On 'Surrender', the Chems focus more on sonic adventure and melodic texture than on big beat. In my opinion nothing could be further from the truth. 'Dig Your Own Hole' sits at the hard-edged pioneering end of big beat, relying on riff and huge rhythm to drive the tracks home; it's a fine album if that is what you are seeking.
Consider the singles culled from it - 'Music:Response', 'Out Of Control', 'Let Forever Be' and 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'; add memorable tracks such as 'Influence', 'Got Glint' and my all-time favourite Chems track 'The Sunshine Underground' and you've got an album for many moods and occasions, more so than on any of their other releases, fine though they are. It sits at the poppier end of electronica, and is definitely recommended for those who like an album to take them somewhere and are happy to enjoy the ride.
Pretty rare in this genre area. Or trance. So buy if you are adventurous. or anything.Using your brain is much better. That's what makes this interesting. Much better than the worst of your chosen genre. Good.
Now about this recording. Metal, punk, jazz even C&W. I have thousands of CDs. I'll take creativity and adventure over polish any day.
So if hip hop is your thing do you like bad hip hop. Nice to listen to. Not ground shaking but I have to say these guys are into sound - not the stupid rules of the genre. Instead of a weak copy of other peoples music I can tell these guys are really into listening and doing something different. Most of it is hardly worth listening too it's all so similar. Find the progenitors music and it will be rougher but more interesting. Find the BEST IN ANY GENRE and it will be interesting. Avoid if you're mind is in a genre tunnel.And if you are wondering where this music came from all the better.
Most of the trance or hip hop goes into the oval file if you ask me. 3.5 stars. Progenitors are always better than followers. These guys had something to do with inventing this music but they've moved on to other areas because they have searching minds: Klaus Schulze, Psycik TV, Eno, Terry Riley, Le Monte Young, Steve Reich, Jon Hassell, Kluster, Ashra Temple.
My favourite was 'Got Glint.'. I just bought this one out of curiosity - I'd heard a lot of positive publicity , plus the sample of 'Block Rockin' Beats'. The songs reflect the use of varied beats,which is why they're called 'The Beatmasters'. Haven't heard another song like it till date. Highly recommended.
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