x_helix_x's Full Review: Push the Button by The Chemical Brothers
Well it's another year and another release for the legends that are the Chemical Brothers.
The Chemical Brothers are two guys called Tom and Ed; the pair met while at university in Manchester in the late eighties. At this time a revolution was going on, a musical revolution. These days were the days of the legendary Manchester club The Hacienda. Dance music was really beginning to take off in all it's forms wether it be the vocal, funky house from America or acid house, hardcore or techno. Tom and Ed fell in love with this emerging scene. The pair also had a love of hiphop, funk, rock and soul. The next step for the music lovers was obvious; they began to DJ under the name of "The Dust Brothers". They earned legendary status among clubbers for their fantastically eclectic sets. But things got even bigger....
In 1992 they made the decision that would make them what they are today. They decided to go into the studio and start making their own music. Their first song was "Song to Siren" which was championned by the DJ, Andy Wetherall. However it wasn't until 1995 that they finally got their album out, "Exit Planet Dust" under the newly assumed name "The Chemical Brothers". They proved that they could make new, fresh dance music with big, powerful beats but team it with vocals from the likes of Beth Orten. After this release the Chemical Brothers continued to bang out more hits and fantastic albums. Guest vocals from the Noel Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft on their tracks done nothing but enhance their status even more. They had massive chart and club hits with singles such as "Setting Sun", "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Hey Boy Hey Girl" to name only a few.
So ten years since the release of their debut album, countless awards, DJ and live sets and numerous festival gigs later, can they still cut it?
The album gets off to a great start straight away, the spinback from the record and the arab sounding violin hooks, it can only signal "Galvanize". This song was the first to be released off the album and proved to be a massive hit. "Galvanize" features the vocal delights of Q Tip (you may remember his hit "Breathe and Stop"); his raps are fabulous on this track and definately adds a lot to it. The songs progresses along with a pumping typical Chemical Brothers bassline, coupled with fantastic breakdowns that build and build with the vocals "Push the Button". Until finally they relent giving way to those ever so infectious violin hooks. This song is a real gem; it's got mass appeal to HipHop fans and to Dance fans because of the crossing over of genres. Next Up is "The Boxer" featuring another guest vocal this time from Tim Burgess of The Charlatans. This song is much more dance vibe to it than the previous hiphop stylings. An piano jam gets the track underway and Tim Burgess belts out "I can't seem to shake this feeling, I can't seem to put it down". The beats comes in and gets it all kicking off. This track swirls and glides it's way along. The piano jams constant throughout but added acid effects rough it up a bit and the rhythm is just damn funky. Burgess uses his vocal talents to really belt the vocals out with power and passion showing he can hit the high notes yet hold a tune. This is one hell of a song and a great choice for the new single.
"Believe" really gives the album a kick up the backside. This is one of my favourite tracks. The epic seven minute wonder gets off to a banging start with a pretty thumping yet simple 4x4 house beat. Then in come the gritty acid sound effects and samples and next to join is the sirens that join in every so often; around every eight beats or so. However this just isn't a cracking track with it's grittiness, oh no. There are wonderful vocals and lyrics on here. Kele Okereke from Bloc Party provides them. He reaches high notes and sings the lyrics "I need you to believe" with real punch. This tune gets under your skin and at times, especially after seeing the video for this song it makes you feel a bit on edge. Relentless from start to finish "Believe" doesn't stop for breath along the way.
Now one thing I love about Chemical Brothers albums is that some of the songs just blend into one another seemlessly. They mix their own tracks, well fade them in but it's great. So in fades "Hold Tight London" with an all together different vibe. Another pumping but yet mellow beat gets this track under way. This song has a dreamlike feel to it; probably all the small samples and sparkling touches teamed with guitars and keyboards. "Hold Tight London" features Anne Lynne on vocals; I have no idea who she is but her vocals really add to the dreamlike feel of this. She sings them in a haunting yet mellow style and the lyrics really are quite touching. "I'll just stay on holding until it hurts, I just want you to know your lovely." However true to Chemical Brothers style, you know this chilled vibe won't stay for long. "Come Inside" is another banging track with an almost anthemic like quality to it. The drumbeat is fast and it rolls along at a breakneck speed. The guitar rifts coupled with electronic samples make this track huge. The vocals are very plain and simple; machine like and precise, simply stating "Would you like to come inside." This track has the same sort of vibe as their massive hit "Block Rockin Beats."
"The Big Jump" is yet another fantastic track; they just keep on coming. This track needs to be played loud and I mean loud. It's complex to break down and describe. "The Big Jump" is an amazing tough but funky dance track; layered drumbeats rolling and then slowing down into a funky rhythm. Tag this with synthesisers and electronic samples give this track a kind of electro vibe to it but it has that raw, nervous energy to it which makes it fabulous. The album then proceeds on to the distinct hiphop vibe of "Left Right". It's not the funky hiphop feel of Galvanize. This track is a lot more deep and meaningful. The backing track has a slow thumping beat and anthemic sounding samples. The rapping is provided by Anwar Superstar, who is the brother of Mos Def. His lyrics are very now and political. It focuses on the war and all the aspects associated with it. It makes for really interesting listening and there is not a hint of preaching about the rights or wrongs of war. "Left Right Left Right" is chanted out and this gives a real military feel to it. A really good solid track and shows their talents in producing hiphop tracks as well as dance.
"Close Your Eyes" marks another direction that the multi talented Chemical Brothers can take. The drumbeat is very simple with a tribal feeling, but sounds like it's almost in the distance, xylophones ring out in parts of the track, pianos play along and the swirling, melodic samples added just fit the track like a glove. The Magic Numbers work their magic and transform this track with their beautiful, tender vocals. The lyrics are delicate and heartfelt. I really love the lyrics of this song, they are simple perfection. "In your eyes I can see you're cracking up, In your eyes I can see that you fell in love, And it pains my head." Next up is "Shake Break Bounce" this is a real mash up of styles and it works fabulously. The bongo style drum beat gives a distinct tribal feel to the track; the guitars add a hispanic edge and there are spintingling samples which come and go throughout the track. There are two sets of vocals that are layered one states simply "shake...break...bounce" and the other is just a someone going "ooooohhh...aaaahhhh" but it gels together and the next track just blends right in....
"Marvo Ging" is a weird little blend of sonic sounds. But it's incredible. The beat is pounding yet simple and not too in your face. One sounds continues throughout it all though and it's a weird distorted almost accordian or really mashed up violin sound. There are hints of vocals but you can't make out what they are and they slip away quickly; this song is jam packed full of different little samples and sonic noises. "Marvo Ging" seems to have this wonderful, hopeful optimistic magic around it all. "Surface to Air" brings this album to an end. Another seven minute epic, this songs builds from a mere distorted beat and vocoder vocals. It turns into another hopeful, sunny little gem of a tune. It has a real beautiful quality to it; it twists and glides along really smoothly. Guitar rifts blend with the distorted twisted samples that ebb away in the background. This is Chemical Brothers at their very best.
So the answer to the question, can they still cut it? Absolutely. There is no doubt about it. What I love about this album is that they have packed in a real mix of styles and vibes into one album. There are the hiphop tracks, the real pumping Chemical tracks and the melodic, trippy almost indie feel to some. "Push The Button" features some of the best guest vocals you are likely to hear on an album. Every vocal fits perfectly into each track and hasn't just been quickly added in to make it have wider commercial appeal like some dance artists do. The wealth of vocal talent on here is amazing. There is everybody from hiphop star Q Tip, the wonderful Tim Burgess to the up and coming and wonderful The Magic Numbers.
This album has been crafted, well produced and it takes you on a journey of ups and downs, along the way throwing in a bit of the unexpected. This album is probably their most accesible to date, there is literally something on here that will appeal to everyone, whatever your taste in music. I really can't pick a favourite track off the album. The album art is big, dominant and in your face. "Push The Button" really does show that The Chemical Brothers are still on top of their game. If you ever have the chance to see the Chemical Brothers Live at a festival make sure you do; they put on one of the best lives shows I have ever seen, it is truely amazing.
So, all it really remains for me to say is, go buy this album. You will not be disappointed.
Thanks for reading!
Some useful websites:
www.thechemicalbrothers.com (official site)
www.chemicalbrothers.net (unofficial site)
www.themagicnumbers.net
www.pias.com/timburgesswebsite (the official tim burgess website)
www.blocparty.com
Other Chemical Brothers Albums:
1995 Exit Planet Dust
1997 Dig Your Own Hole
1998 Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Mix Cd)
1999 Surrender
2002 Come With Us
2003 Singles 93-03 (features a single with the Flaming Lips
**If you like the Chemical Brothers more dance orientated tracks, they release a lot of tunes under the name of "Electronic Battle Weapon" and the releases are just called for example "Electronic Battle Weapon Number 5". They are great tracks but with a more tough house and techno feel to them.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
Push The Button is the follow-up to 2002 s Come With Us and the fifth album from UK dance duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Continuing with their mix of...More at Buy.com
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