The Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood Review

During the mainstream “electronica” craze of the 1990s, the Chemical Brothers were avatars of Big Beat maximalism, alongside The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim and others. This best-of album collects their most incendiary hits, from “Galvanize” (a swaggering anthem with Q-Tip on vocals) to “Setting Sun” (a psychedelic nightmare featuring Noel Gallagher), plus a solid new track (the acidy “Keep My Composure,” featuring Spank Rock). This high-impact compilation, brimming with sirens, hortatory drum rolls and spine-tingling stereo pans, helps us imagine what it might feel like to be a pinball....full text The Chems last collated their singles in 2004 heralded by the underrated Golden Path, featuring the Flaming Lips, which is deservedly included again on Brotherhood. Since then albums Push the Button and We Are the Night have produced the mighty Galvanize, featuring Q-Tip, and last year's Saturate, which proved they are still the masters of instrumental mutant dance. The duo once said they made "accidental pop records" and they have certainly hurled some strange music at the charts. Star Guitar is quite overwhelming, designed to flush the heart and mind, Hey Boy, Hey Girl is still quite demented as is the ululating siren in Block Rockin' Beats....full text The Chemical Brothers' second career-spanning compilation is basically a substitute for the first, including nine of the same tracks first reissued on 2003's Singles 93-03 and then making room for a few of the touchstones released between 2003 and 2008 (two of which are new to this collection). The early classics "Chemical Beats" and "Leave Home" are still among the best of their career, while "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Setting Sun" (featuring Noel Gallagher) found the mature Chemical Brothers quickly growing comfortable with a stadium-sized sound and profile....full text