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Rating:
Expected for the Röyksopp to come out with an album like this after selling 800,000 copies of Melody A.M. Yes, because if their debut played a bit on the fact of agreeing with everyone, now they deliver an unabashedly commercial one.
By much.
So what?
No, because if all commercial music were like this, I'd be fixed on Radio Deejay even when washing the cat.
The truth is they did meticulous work, crystal-clear in making their intentions understood.
They changed the register: it goes from the "north" of the aurora borealis of Melody A.M., to the summer of The Understanding: sun, salt, sex, and stars in the sky above a peaceful sea at night.
An album for the summer of 2005 then? Actually no. Because now the "B-side" of the album intervenes: that shy and hardly manifest nostalgia; that subdued and elegant romanticism.
They had already pointed this out previously, but their greatness lies in having maintained this state of the soul, even after overturning the atmospheres.
Not an album for this summer then, but for a past summer, the most intense one you have experienced. An album of memories of that time, so warm by day and cool by night. The summer when you repeatedly found yourself gazing at all those constellations and feeling happy.
The single "only this moment" is radio power at 100,000 Watts, musical persuasion capable of entrancing even a conservatory student. The kind that if you hear this track in the background at a party while talking to a girl for the first time, you'll surely fall in love with her, no matter what she's babbling about.
Actually, the entire CD is like this, the soundtrack to a midnight swim between you and a mermaid.
Tangible sweaty upbeat but also ethereal musings, abduction by the sea breeze.
The only black sheep piece is "sombre detune", which has the menacing pace of a hidden murderer attacking. I was just listening to it in the car with the windows down when I stop at a stop sign, where there's a friend of mine on a bike. After a few seconds, he turns disgusted, recognizes me, and says "damn, I feel the bass in my feet. It couldn’t be anyone but you”. Yes, because this track has bass that seems to come from the Mariana trench, I told him.
For this music, you need a good deal of sensitivity, but to fully appreciate it, you need to be a bit of a badass inside (outside is unnecessary).
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Only This Moment (03:55)
Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Close to (perfection)
Nothing else (out there)
No one to (guide us)
Lost in our (senses)
Deep down inside I know our love will die
(x2)
Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Lost in (confusion)
Feelings are (out there)
Scared of (devotion)
Doubting (intentions)
Deep down inside I know our love will die
Stay or forever go
Play or you'll never know
What heaven decided
You can't deny it's
All you've been waiting for
Stay or forever go
Play or you'll never know
Your spirit's divided
You will decide if I'm
All you've been waiting for
Clouds in my head have been parted with grace
By the voice of an angel revealing her face
and her words they make sense 'n' I do understand
Falling in love isn't part of the plan
Forces within me mix reason with lust, but
I'll try to accept it and not make it worse
'cause I know I might lose it by taking the chance
(But) love without pain isn't really romance
Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Close to (perfection)
Nothing else (out there)
Always (beside her)
Trusting my (senses)
Deep down inside I know love will survive
Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Close to (the other)
Nothing else (out there)
Always (beside her)
Trusting my (senses)
Deep down inside I know love will survive
03 49 Percent (05:11)
I won't try to dent your night
or stop your flight
I've known our plight
You know I'm right
I know about your little fling
How you hide your ring
You senseless thing – I'll cut this string
the heat has simmered for a while
it's not my style –so versatile... and with a smile
at anytime, I could explode!
When you kissed your toad
you killed your princely episode
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
bit off more than one could bite
and the taste is slight
it leaves this dullish appetite
'bout time I finally seen the light
and said goodnight
for the sling is tight
we'll lose this fight
in a corner painted white
as you fly your kite
I shun the sight, I've seen the light
and now I got to say goodnight, you know I'm right!
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop your flight
or change your night or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
Math and imagery
Equates cacophony
Multiplies muteness: a sum better disturbed
For silence subtracts
And shadows divide light
less than half is slight
the heat has simmered for a while...
49%
1% short of half
and less than half
ain't really much of nothing
I won't try to stop your flight
or change your night, or nothing
less than half
why won't you try
to make this damage better?
05 Follow My Ruin (03:51)
Down below a faded glow
Vibrant key without a tone
Realise in here it's cold
I can only let it snow
Words were said so long ago
Left a mark, an open sore
You go fast, I'm burnin' slow
Hate to say I knew you'd go
So much going on
And I wish to hold on
So much going on
And I cannot let go
Past the trees that hide our love
Hurry now it's time to go
Make this moment matter more
Show me like you did before
Revolting in a broken home
Holding on to what we own
Worlds collide and cause a storm
Still I wish I could hold on
Words were said so long ago
Face defeat and take the blow
So naïve now I know more
Won't forget the things before
So much going on
And I wish to hold on
So much going on
And I cannot let go
...cannot let go...
06 Beautiful Day Without You (05:29)
Living under God
(Glory)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
(Courage)
...a beautiful day without you
(Like rays of gold
In all this decay
How can I forget the pain?)
Living under God
(Glory)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
(Courage)
...a beautiful day without you
(Feel unspoiled
in this world
confiding beliefs
How can I?)
I know my tragedy
notion took a bow
still I wonder how
morning after rain
clear away the pain
Then, after all, when all are gone
it's plain to see, just who we are
in light of hate, the way we talk
and act in shame 'causing harm.
"Defend yourself 'n keep your guard!"
We realize we belong apart
'cause beyond ties we've got
ways of knowing...
Living under God
(Glory)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
(Courage)
...a beautiful day without you
(Like rays of gold
In all this decay
Now can I forget the pain?)
Living under God
(Holy)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
(Courage)
...a beautiful day without you
(Feel unspoiled
In this world
Confiding beliefs
Now can I?)
When, I'm alone, and all are gone
this pain it leaves, onto the sun
in light of good I see myself
approving things of everyday.
The open sky, the breathing stars
will leave me calm in a world apart 'cause
in these times there's no
way of knowing...
Living under God
(Glory)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
(Courage)
...a beautiful day without you
(Like rays of gold
In all this decay
How can I forget the pain?)
Living under God
(Holy)
Wind is on my neck
(Fearless)
Sun is on my face
Courage
...a beautiful day without you
(Still unspoiled
Feeling refined
This beautiful day,
it's a sign)
08 Circuit Breaker (05:24)
What is that vitalizing sound?
Calling me
In my head
Repeatedly
What is that visionary sight?
Before my eyes
So prominent
So mesmerizing turbulent
You've got a hold on me
Your ingenuity
Seems to be driving me
down on my knees
The force you generate
You reinvigorate
Your body talks
and overstates
(Well) I'm already drawn
Close to the divine
Intoxicating images are rushing through my mind
Embodiment of sin
Has kindled me within
Sensations seems to multiply, they're building up inside
Cutting through the night
Radiating light
I've seen you move the crowd
I know what you're about
The stories I have heard
The talk about excess
I know what people say
But surely you impress
Charismatic pill
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
added into one
A universal force
An autonomic high
A thing I can't control
No matter how I try
What have you done to me
This candid chemistry
Emotions running over me
And when you arch your back
Just with a stare like that
Well, it's natural to interact
I'm not holding back
Ready to commence
Caught up in your blizzard
So confusing and intense
Synergy of two
Energy gone wild
See the stars align
to spell your name out in the sky
Never seen a sight
So fascinating right
A symmetry between
Dirty and pristine
Calling out so loud
Beautiful and true
Mystery about
Everything you do
Charismatic drug
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
added into one
A universal force
An autonomic high
A thing I can't control
No matter how I try
This electricity
Injected into me
Emotions running over me
And when you're getting close
You touch my innermost
A feeling deep inside me knows
Wonders of delight
Cutting through the night
Know you've got it all
I can't do without
Burning in my veins
Ripping through my soul
I'll never be the same
A secret can't be told
Charismatic pill
You elevated sun
Vanity and pride
added into one
A universal force
an autonomic high
a thing I can't control
no matter how I try
11 Dead to the World (05:20)
In the dead of the night you seem closer to me
The next day I wake up and know how unreal it is
Feeling so tense like I'm caught in a corner
You can't speak but I can hear you calling
I come back for you
I've been dead to the world and I've chosen to be
Inside under pillows with marvels and wonders
Sedating my will to exist in the open
I don't move but I keep on moving
I'm only with you
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Other reviews
By GK
This Norwegian duo has created a masterpiece, and it is right to expect a sequel!
I am in ecstasy. I curse myself for even remotely daring to think it could be a flat, useless, second-rate album.
By JULIANHAMPSHIRE
"The Understanding does not bore and manages to deliver truly great emotions even to those who aren’t exactly fans of the genre like me."
"Sweet words of love whispered over a breathtaking keyboard base; later, the piano will continue to take center stage."
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
The singer’s voice is magnificent, and their sound is truly something exceptional.
It’s the most emblematic electronic group after Depeche Mode.
By Toni Bancae
"One of the major strengths that make this album fantastic from many points of view is the variety between one track and another highlighted by frequent sound changes."
"The Understanding remains a complete album from a sonic point of view where Röyksopp demonstrate they are one of the best groups in the world of electronic music in recent years."
By Darius
Worthy successor of Melody A.M. and a cunning agreement between experimentation, avant-garde and “pop”.
The Understanding still sounds today, in a virtually DJ-laden sound scenario, an “underground” disc, a small underground treasure box crafted in an environment that doesn’t seem much inclined to hits but rather to the good production of good producers.
