Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
re-enter planet dust..., January 30, 2002
For those eagerly waiting on this, the new chem bros cd, you will not be disappointed. 'Come with us' is very much a chemical brothers record, with high-octane songs for starters, more rhythmic songs in the middle, the usual 'coming down/female vocal' songs towards the end, and finally, the epic song to end the cd. Overall, I would say this is an improvement on 'surrender', though in many ways the beats and effects are reminiscent of 'exit planet dust'. What are the songs like? you ask... Well... 'Come with us': Starting with strings and a booming voice, and following with drawn-out, spacey effects (along with the next song, these are as close to the high-frequency/kettle-whistling/acid effects that filled 'dig your own hole' as you'll get on this album), this song acts as a steadily building welcome to the rest of the album. 'It began in afrika-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka...': When the single was released it was admittedly annoying. However, look past the repetitive vocals and you'll find the chemicals reverting back to old methods with a song that would fit in neatly on any of their previous albums. 'Galaxy bounce' differs slightly to the version that appears on the tomb raider soundtrack. Preceded by turntables scractching in the vein of 'in dust we trust', this song shows the chems cutting up samples, backed a rolling bassline. Though this song is fine on its own, it seems somewhat out of place on this album. 'Star Guitar' is an exercise in sequencing beats (as indicated by the film clip). This dreamy song is the flagship of the album, showing the chems production qualities at their finest. 'Hoops' will no doubt stay in your head long after you've listened to the album. Though the song begins to speed up 'out of control' style, it doesn't go overboard, with more emphasis on drums, guitars, and a bassline familiar to that on blur's 'music is my radar'. 'My elastic eye' has Instant Hit written all over it. This song captures attention immediately with its deep bassline, quick drum snares and 'yayaya' vocals. At a constant crescendo, this song will no doubt be a personal favourite to many. 'The state we're in' is this albums come-down song, after the previous three tracks have taken you on a high. Beth Orton thankfully returns, though this song never quite hits the spot emotionally as well as 'Alive alone', and doesn't progress to anywhere in particular (unlike the industrial noises that concluded 'where do i begin'. More effective than Hope Sandoval at least, and the track segues nicely into... ...'Denmark', which is as generically 'dance' music as the chems get. The opening snare/high-hat routine seems a bit cheesy to me, but is redeemed by a funky bassline and melody. Slightly disappointed by this song, though should sound good when played live (the dance template wasn't altered too much to make this one). 'Pioneer skies' starts of low key, despite the jackhammer effects, but eventually builds into a heavy track. Frequency changes are not unlike previous chems songs, though the track fails to 'enlighten', as much as songs like 'orange wedge' which are of a similar pace and feel. Essentially a preparation for the final, long track. 'The test' features Richard Ashcroft. It's not a folk song like 'dream on', but rather the emotionally charged Ashcroft vocal backed by 'competent' beats. They are neither slow-and-dreamy nor hard-and-fast. Ashcroft is a good person to sing 'epic' songs (see Unkle), but he only barely 'passes the test' on this song. The chems seem somewhat indecisive as to how use Ashcrofts vocals effectively, and eventually the vocals take command over the song and its beats. Nevertheless a good song (judging by the fact that the 7 mins seem to go by quickly), that will have you singing all the way. Well, that's an outline of the album, and if you're considering buying it, then I would say go for it. If you're already a chem bros fan, 'Come with us' will only increase your admiration of their work.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
re-enter planet dust..., January 30, 2002
For those eagerly awaiting this, the new chem bros cd, you will not be disappointed. 'Come with us' is very much a chemical brothers record, with high-octane songs for starters, more rhythmic songs in the middle, the usual 'coming down/female vocal' songs towards the end, and finally, the epic song to end the cd. Overall, I would say this is an improvement on 'surrender', though in many ways the beats and effects are reminiscent of 'exit planet dust'. What are the songs like? you ask... Well... 'Come with us': Starting with strings and a booming voice, and following with drawn-out, spacey effects (along with the next song, these are as close to the high-frequency/kettle-whistling/acid effects that filled 'dig your own hole' as you'll get on this album), this song acts as a steadily building welcome to the rest of the album. 'It began in afrika-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka...': When the single was released it was admittedly annoying. However, look past the repetitive vocals and you'll find the chemicals reverting back to old methods with a song that would fit in neatly on any of their previous albums. 'Galaxy bounce' differs slightly to the version that appears on the tomb raider soundtrack. Preceded by turntables scractching in the vein of 'in dust we trust', this song shows the chems cutting up samples, backed a rolling bassline. Though this song is fine on its own, it seems somewhat out of place on this album. 'Star Guitar' is an exercise in sequencing beats (as indicated by the film clip). This dreamy song is the flagship of the album, showing the chems production qualities at their finest. 'Hoops' will no doubt stay in your head long after you've listened to the album. Though the song begins to speed up 'out of control' style, it doesn't go overboard, with more emphasis on drums, guitars, and a bassline familiar to that on blur's 'music is my radar'. 'My elastic eye' has Instant Hit written all over it. This song captures attention immediately with its deep bassline, quick drum snares and 'yayaya' vocals. At a constant crescendo, this song will no doubt be a personal favourite to many. 'The state we're in' is this albums come-down song, after the previous three tracks have taken you on a high. Beth Orton thankfully returns, though this song never quite hits the spot emotionally as well as 'Alive alone', and doesn't progress to anywhere in particular (unlike the industrial noises that concluded 'where do i begin'. More effective than Hope Sandoval at least, and the track segues nicely into... ...'Denmark', which is as generically 'dance' music as the chems get. The opening snare/high-hat routine seems a bit cheesy to me, but is redeemed by a funky bassline and melody. Slightly disappointed by this song, though should sound good when played live (the dance template wasn't altered too much to make this one). 'Pioneer skies' starts of low key, despite the jackhammer effects, but eventually builds into a heavy track. Frequency changes are not unlike previous chems songs, though the track fails to 'enlighten', as much as songs like 'orange wedge' which are of a similar pace and feel. Essentially a preparation for the final, long track. 'The test' features Richard Ashcroft. It's not a folk song like 'dream on', but rather the emotionally charged Ashcroft vocal backed by 'competent' beats. They are neither slow-and-dreamy nor hard-and-fast. Ashcroft is a good person to sing 'epic' songs (see Unkle), but he only barely 'passes the test' here. The chems seem somewhat indecisive as to how use Ashcrofts vocals effectively, and eventually the vocals take command over the song and its beats. Nevertheless a good song (judging by the fact that the 7 mins seem to go by quickly), that will have you singing all the way. Well, that's an outline of the album, and if you're considering buying it, then I would say go for it. If you're already a chem bros fan, 'Come with us' will only increase your admiration of their work.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Buy for Chem. Bros. Fans, January 30, 2002
This is easily their tightest album in years. The ubiquitous "It Began in Afrika" is only a teaser. Subsequent tracks like "Star Guitar" and "Hoops" pay a playful homage to the New Order sound, with just a touch of trance lacing over its beats - perfect pop concoctions. "Denmark" has that hard house sound, with killer bass. But the real treats are "The State We're In" with Beth Orton and "The Test" with Richard Ashcroft from the now defunct Verve. I usually tend to stay away from the vocal laden electronica, but these are genuinely moving collaborations. Beth Orton's voice wafts over the ethereal track, and "The Test" is more poignant and touching than any of the songs on Richard Ashcroft's solo album that came out last year. (or was it 2 yrs ago?) Although this latest effort from the Chemical Bros. doesn't break any new grounds (hence the 4 stars), that wasn't in their intention, either. All you get is a tightly cohesive album with some bomb tracks with blood-curdling bass, and a little whimsy thrown in for a good measure. I'll be listening to this one for a while to come.
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~ The Chemical Brothers
~ The Chemical Brothers
~ The Chemical Brothers
~ The Chemical Brothers
~ The Chemical Brothers
by The Chemical Brothers 
