This is an album I wasn't expecting.

Basically, the Chemical Brothers are liked by almost everyone: electronic music lovers, clubbers, wannabe ravers, radical chic with an unconditional love for soft drugs, ravers in a moment of relaxation... It’s undeniable: they appeal to everyone. Some more, some less. I decided to dedicate a few lines to this album because, unlike the others I've listened to so far, it seems noteworthy. Let's start from the assumption that my knowledge on the subject stops at the first album (Exit Planet Dust), which I consider an excellent electronic album of the tunz tunz kind, but of the well-made kind, which even we radical chic with a snobby attitude and a particular predisposition for French music and other sappy nonsense appreciate. Oh, of course, I also include various + or - commercial Hits, + or - nice ones, usually used for commercials or theme songs of deeply relevant programs such as LE IENE (italia1) or -who the hell knows, as long as a lot of people watch it-..

That said, I do not deny having listened to the album Surrender intensely for some time, but in bygone times, so long ago that the listening happened via archaic cassette tape. The reason for such interest and proud approval of these 8 tracks arises from (in my opinion) their similarity with the cousins Death In Vegas, for whom I have sincere admiration. They have produced 4-5 albums of pure electronic, but one of the most listenable kinds. Stuff you can even dance to in some cases, although mainly they’re things to associate with static situations of domestic routine, while you're brewing your damn tea or reading a book. It's light electronic, unpretentious, as background music. After twenty minutes of listening while doing something else, you say "Darn, this stuff is cool." Yes, it's kind of chamber electronic, just to coin a neologism. The tracks stretch on for cascades of minutes without particular turmoil, repetitive yet never tiresome. Repeating the same riff for several minutes without boring is not easy at all, and I believe this time, the Chemical Brothers nailed it.

I don't think it's the album of the century, absolutely not. I think I'll get tired of it within a few days. But it must be recognized as a "nice" album, one that you listen to indifferently, but deep down, you enjoy. By the time you realize it, you'll already be tired of it.

Tracklist and Videos

01   Snow (05:06)

02   Escape Velocity (11:57)

03   Another World (05:40)

04   Dissolve (06:21)

05   Horse Power (05:51)

06   Swoon (06:05)

07   K+D+B (05:40)

08   Wonders of the Deep (05:12)

09   Don't Think (07:44)

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Other reviews

By Frankie89

 "Further is an overwhelmingly strong high that doesn’t cause paranoia and never really bores."

 "Escape Velocity contains the most dizzying crescendo ever heard in a mainstream dance track."


By Ilpazzo

 "Escape Velocity" is simply starting, and when the straight bass drum kicks in, an interplanetary frenzy erupts!

 "Dissolve" is Chemical Style 100%. Drum loops combined with masterfully manipulated and distorted little guitars... one of the best tracks on the album!