Push the Button

It is clear after listening to this album that the Chemicals have had a clear change in direction with a much fresher sound after what some considered a disapointing effort with 'Come With Us'. It is a compleate back to the drawing board album that is according to Tom Chemical is 'free, closer, like a sound you couldn't ignore, and he had to be wilder'.

The album boasts some interesting guest vocalists from old friends such as Tim Burgess and new ones such as Q-Tip, Anwar Superstar, Kele Okereke and The Magic Numbers, that all prove this is something not to be overlooked speaking for themselves.

The 11 track head-rushing album begins well with 'Galvanize' featureing Q-Tip, this tune is quite different from other Chemical sounds that at first is difficult to get the head around, but has catchy hip hop vocals and the phase 'Push The Button' in an electronic robotic voice overlaying a nice jerky beat and violin. After this follows 'The Boxer' featureing Tim Burgess with a very clear well defined voice. 'Belive' featureing Kele Okereke is next which has a kinda electro light acid sound, the track is very rushing and fastly flows very well and is not the type of club tune that can just be danced to but can enjoyed at home with the relaxing lyrics 'I needed to believe in something'. 'Hold Tight London' is next up which im very sure will become a live favorite like the next track 'Come Inside' which was played over the summer at festivals such as Glastonbury going down a treat, it is kinda simular to 'Under the Influence' from the 'Surrender' album, with the words 'Would you like to come inside' looped in a sexy female voice after a clear build up that when released pure estasy is felt. Other future athems on the album include 'The Big Jump', 'Left Right', 'Close Your Eyes' featureing The Magic Numbers, 'Shake Bounce Break' and 'Marvo Ging' which still have that chemical formula but this time with a little extra that forces a newer sound. The final track also previewed live over the summer is 'Surface to Air' which is a kinda chilled house tune reminding me of the feeling of being underwater, this could be the most well recived track of the album due to its simularities to the amazing 'Star Guitar' from'Come With Us'.

Over all a good clear cut album that i feel will prove to be a big seller of 2005 that is essential to all Chemical fans and those who want something that is cool and different to normal clubland.

I can't understand how people can slate this album. It's not the most original dance album you'll ever hear, but how many original rock bands are there and yet they're still worshipped? Galvanize has a killer Banghra hook and is a cool opener. Believe has some mellow vocals from Kele Okereke over a thumping 80s electro beat and is a real highlight. This segues into the chilled Hold Tight London, an uptempo yet dreamy track. The Big Jump is quality as well, containing a wrecking ball of a bassline. The next single has to be Left Right featuring Anwar. His aggressive hip hop delivery over a stonking 70s theme tune is a great departure from the usual Chemicals material, mixed in with some intelligent political bile. Close Your Eyes and Surface To Air are also awesome tracks, showing that the Brothers were right in taking their time to put this album together.

Put simply, this makes a nice change from the usual guitar based fare at the moment. Albums like this show that dance music still has a very bright future, even if the genre has been spliced into several more recognisable styles since its early to mid 90s heyday. Hopefully the Chemical Brothers have awakened a sleeping giant.