This record is dueling with Moby for Album Of The Year at this point.
As a sign of how quick the flower of fashion fades, the Chemical Brothers offer up Surrender.
Their music has evolved from a thick, chunky instrumental-oriented/Hip-Hop sound into a more traditional vibe focused on (egads!) vocal melodies and complex composition.
This record features help from one of the Godfathers of Electronic dance music in Bernard Sumner (of Joy Division/New Order and Electronic). Also appearing on this record are Bobby Gillespie (from The Jesus And Mary Chain and Primal Scream), Jonathon Donahue (from Mercury Rev), that cunt Hope Sandoval (the Mary Chain crossover is almost too much), and some washed-up Lennon wannabe that was on the group's last release Dig Your Own Hole.
It is a tremendously fun listen. It still has tons of chewy grooves, but there is so much more meat on the songs, which in my mind makes for a better listen.
It is somewhat ironic that given the "here today, fuck you tomorrow" state of Electronic music that Ed and Tom enlisted Sumner, who is unknown to most of the current crop of break dancers/record buyers. Out Of Control is for all intents and purposes a New Order song...I mean shit, A guitar lead in a Chem Bros song? Who knew?
I think greatness is attained by taking risks, by going beyond what you are capable of to a new plateau. The Bros have done that on this record, and in the process created a record with great variety and texture.
One of the cool things about much E-music (and much modern stuff i.e. Korn) is the collaborations between what would seem to be divergent artists.
Okay enough artistic philosophy.
There is so much to like on this record. Guitar ballads, ass-shaking beats, and even that bitch Sandoval makes a very good contribution. I do hope that she doesn't destroy these guys like she did the Mary Chain.
This record is pretty much a "no-brainer." You could buy records that are much worse than this (I have), and I think almost everyone will enjoy it.