Customer Reviews

Come With Us

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My introduction to techno/electronica music arrived with the Chemical Brothers "Exit Planet Dust" CD. I read the review in "Rolling Stone," liked what I read, purchased the disc and loved it from the first play. Since then I've aquired "Dig Your Own Hole," "Surrender" and "Come with Us." All are excellent albums but my favorite is the latter. I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe the last aquired is my favorite because I'm just a little burned out by playing the others so much.

"Come With Us" is a terrific album. Usually I like to note the best songs first and then get down to the ones I care the least about. Well, let's reverse it on this one. I don't particularly care for Chemical Brothers songs having extensive vocals. Thus "The State We're In" and "The Test" are my least favored tunes on this disc. They aren't bad songs; I just don't care for them as much as the others. Having said this, all other tracks on this disc are incredibly good. Wonderful dance music! Complex polyrhythyms are intricately interwoven with wonderfully hooky melodic lines on all songs. The best way to listen and appreciate the music, of course, is by dancing to it. And what an experience that can be! I'm unable to choose a favorite selection. Perhaps "Come With Us," "It Began in Africa," "Star Guitar" or "My Elastic Eye" might garner my vote, but "Galaxy Bounce," "Hoops," "Denmark" and "Pioneer Skies" wouldn't be far behind. Now, if I could just get rid of those two tracks with vocals and perhaps add a couple such as "It Doesn't Matter" and "Lost in the K-Hole" from the "Dig Your Own Hole" disc, I'd have a perfect Chemical Brothers CD.

Gary Peterson

WOW! This album blew me away! I didn't think that it could top SURRENDER [in my opinion, the best Chemical Brothers album to date] when I went and bought it. How wrong I was. This album is insane - it's just so good! It's just one huge freaking sonic hip-hop dance party. It flat-out rocks.
"Come With Us," the mindblowing opener, complete with strings and dance grooves ... then "Star Guitar," a breezy, light jam unlike anything I've heard in a while ... then segue ourselves into "The Beth Orton Collaboration," - "The State We're In." While it isn't as good as "Where Do I Begin," [what is?] it still is a pulisng, trip-hopping psychedelic masterpiece. But wait, you've got to wait for the best (thanks to Mr. Cocker for that one!)
"The Test," starring one Mr. Richard Ashcroft, is, in my panicked state of Chemical-frenzy, the best Brothers song EVER . It's a four-on-the-floor, ode to partying masterpiece - it's got the signature amazing Brothers drumming in back, the signature swirl of beats ... but it just works this time like never before. Truly awe-inspiring - just like this entire album.
Now, come December, when I look at the Blur, Beck, Blues Explosion, DJ Shadow and Badly Drawn Boy albums I bought in 2002, I'm sure they will all be great. But none will reach the dizzying dance-floor heights that this masterpiece does. It is just so good. Please buy COME WITH US; you won't regret it one bit.

The last track, The Test with the ever beautiful vocals of Richard Ashcroft, blew me away. It's one of their best tracks ever and a reason to buy the cd. The same for opener Come With Us, the perfect soundtrack for every ADHD-patient, never heard beats like that before and wasn't it that what used to characterize the Chems? It Began In Africa and the bassline of Denmark are potential clubhits too, there isn't one single bad track on the album... My Elastic Eye sounds a bit simplistic but is still nice, Hoops is magnificent (like Denmark, a song driven by its bassline with a great sample of Blur), Galaxy Bounce reminds a lot of Exit Planet Dust's Song To The Siren while This State We're In is the (much better) equivalent of Surrender's Dream On.

So don't believe the bad reviews about the Chems being stuck in there succes-formula and blabla no this cd blew me away, if you like them don't think twice, you can buy it with your eyes closed.
While Exit Planet Dust remains their best to date, Come With Us is better than Dig Your Own Hole and Surrender.

Daft Punk were once described as "toeing the line between stupid and
clever," and the same thing can very accurately be said about the
Chemical Brothers. For example, I can't think of a dorkier way to start a
song than by sampling an "academic" voice intoning the words "it began
in Africa," and then looping the "ca" syllable and turning it. But when that
track, after about five minutes of rather inane buildup including
obligatory talking drums and djembes, suddenly and introduces a
syncopated hip-hop breakbeat, I start to think that techno artists should
be doing this sort of thing more often. The track I'm describing is "It
Began in Afrika" (note clever/stupid spelling), the second cut on the
Brothers' new album, which was probably the most keenly awaited
electronica release since Daft Punk's "Discovery" dropped last year.

It's more or less universally acknowledged that the Chemical Brothers
reached their peak with 1997's bombastic "Dig Your Own Hole," which
featured not only the inescapable "Block Rockin' Beats," and a guest
vocal from heavenly-voiced, relatively unknown (and cutie) Beth Orton,
but at least half an album's worth of some of the most bizarre and
abstract music that could possibly be construed as funk. These
successful elements - bombast, rock swagger, guest vocalists and
"experimentalism" (probably more like screwing around) - were
harbingered on their debut, "Exit Planet Dust," somewhat controversially
recombined for the difficult third album "Surrender," and unsurprisingly
reappear here. This time, they work. Not in the way they used to work.
The are no longer groundbreaking, and in its weaker moments this
record has an almost nostalgic feel. This time around it's more like
I've-heard-this-all-before-and-it-still-sounds-damn-good.

Of course, they do have a few new tricks to show off. Like Daft Punk,
they have taken note of more recent trends in dance music, as is evident
in the streamlined, glossy house of "Star Guitar" (one of the most
infectious cuts here, for all its Darude-cribbing). If anything, "Come With
Us" is more varied sonically than any of their previous efforts, from the
dark and tumultuous cellos that open the album to the gentle Spanish-y
guitar line suddenly morphing into dark electro-funk (on the nifty
"Hoops") to what sounds like a demented music box tinkling away in "My
Elastic Eye." Even when things start to sound awfully hackneyed, there
are enough ideas percolating in the mix to keep them interesting.

The Brothers made some questionable decisions on this one, like
submerging a pretty little Beth Orton melody in swaths of muddy
knob-twiddling and burbles and allowing the annoyingly earnest Richard
Ashcroft vocal about acid tests to mix with a recycled but workable funk
loop, creating the danceable but rather inane closer "The Test." And,
unavoidably, a handful of cuts in the album's second half don't quite
make the mark. But the Chemical Brothers were never perfectionists.
Their genius, it seems to me, has always come from goofing around and
coming up with entertaining (and occasionally sublime) pieces of music.
And, in a way, they've never done that more successfully than here. This
album doesn't want for humor, versatility or flavor. All it lacks is a bit of
the freshness that made them seem so revolutionary back in 1997.

Chemical Brothers put together with 'Come With Us' their bets production since their 1997 album 'Dig Your Own Hole.' The title track, with its mindboggling sequences; the closing track (whose video can leave you speechless); and "The State We're In" with a beautiful rendition by Beth Orton, which openly flirts with chillout music, are my favorite tracks.

I wasn't sure I even wanted to buy this after reading so many mixed reviews, but now I'm very glad that I did. I'm guessing that everybody who complained about the vocal tracks were just angry that not every song was 4 beat big beat. Personally, I think that "The State We're In" (with Beth Orton) is a quality song, kind of like Orbital's recent "Funny Break."

What I really liked about the album is the fact that it progresses and changes in a subtle and coherent way...this is an album that you can put on, sit down, close your eyes, and realize as the last song is ending that you have no idea where you've been for the last hour.

It is still easily recognizeable as Chemical Brothers and those looking for some nice loud beats won't be disappointed...the first two tracks will get you going in no time. My favorite track is probably "My Elastic Eye," simply because it's a really good song and there's some hints of IDM in there.

"The Test" with Richard Ashcroft is a nice long song to wind down at the end of the album that almost sounds more like something Moby would do with it's mellow yet intense sound and insistent "Did I pass/The Acid Test?" Definitely a must have for any Chemical Brothers fan and those really into Orbital should take a listen too.

if chemical brothers can beat their own efforts with "Let forever be," the result would be "the test." Ashcroft combines the best of the verve sound with the rocking beats of the chemical brothers. the first three songs are killers as well and the album has an even feel to it making it well worth the price. buy it