Surrender

The Chemical Brothers released their third album with their status as one of the UK's most exciting bands unassailable. Surrender, managed to enhance their already burgeoning reputation, drawing on the talents of a formidable array of celebrity collaborators including Missy Elliott, Oasis' Noel Gallagher and Bernard Sumner. The Brothers shifted their attention away from hip-hop breaks towards more traditional 4/4 beats, but their unique blend of visceral energy, inventive melodies and eclectic samples remained unaffected. "Out Of Control", featuring the fragile vocals of Sumner, sounds like New Order on stronger drugs, before erupting into a groovy, guitar-studded monster not dissimilar to many of Underworld's offerings. The fairytale chords and Oriental chimes of "Sunshine Underground" provide a refreshing change in direction, while Mercury Rev's Jonathan Donahue makes a refreshing appearance on the psychedelic rock finale, "Dream On". Surrender is a deeply satisfying album from a band who grow from strength to strength. --Ed Potton

A long time before Hot Chip tried unsuccessfully to pair their raving shoes with a deeper, reflective soul, the Chems had it nailed down. On Surrender, arguably the finest album Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons have yet produced, the blend of big, banging anthems and strung-out chill tunes is almost perfectly wrought.

There's a glut of cool and influential names involved, but regardless of the famous mates, the overwhelming feeling is one of resolute confidence and knowing execution.

Under The Influence is still a pulversing, intoxicating test of bass-freaks and stereos. Out Of Control, with its trancey synths and Bernard Sumner vocal remains the best New Order song the Mancunians never recorded themselves. The Sunshine Underground? That epic supersedes its band namesake and continues to be a touchstone for any serious producer wishing to meld the downtempo with the dancefloor in one swoop.

Aside from the obvious highlights, there are beatific surprises. Asleep From Day, easily overlooked on an album including Mercury Rev man Jonathan Donahue and Noel Gallagher, would settle gladly on a Boards Of Canada or Howling Bells record. It's contemplative and sweet like a summer evening just before the sun dips below the horizon.

There are moments when the staggeringly high quality control dips slightly, like on Got Glint? But even then, the chunky beats and supple groove leaves the Brothers' contemporaries in the shade.

No one should, or could, expect engaging lyrics or political depth on an album that is aimed to move mood to the highest heights via dancing. But these superstar DJs mastered the art of synth and beat urgency before Simian Mobile Disco or Justice even snagged a sniff of hipster recognition. It's almost a decade old but this mighty effort is still worth submitting to. --Lou Thomas

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