A successful change of pace
Peter Leslie | Sydney, Australia | 08/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I actually rate this as a 4-and-a-bit star album but rounded it up to 5 to redress the generally average reviews it's received over the years. While I enjoy reading the music press, sometimes they get it plain wrong; such, I feel, is the case with 'Surrender'. Many reviews have unfavourably compared it with the Chems' previous album 'Dig Your Own Hole', claiming 'Surrender' to be a flat and/or repetitive follow-up. In my opinion nothing could be further from the truth.
'Dig Your Own Hole' sits at the hard-edged pioneering end of big beat, relying on riff and huge rhythm to drive the tracks home; it's a fine album if that is what you are seeking. 'Surrender' is a TOTALLY different beast; it's more of a house/chill album and a far more painterly affair than its generally monchromatic predecessor.
On 'Surrender', the Chems focus more on sonic adventure and melodic texture than on big beat. This lends it a greater variety of atmosphere, and whilst it is not uniformly excellent and does run slightly out of puff towards the end it is still a rich and rewarding listen, with a greater variety of styles than any of their other releases. Consider the singles culled from it - 'Music:Response', 'Out Of Control', 'Let Forever Be' and 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'; add memorable tracks such as 'Influence', 'Got Glint' and my all-time favourite Chems track 'The Sunshine Underground' and you've got an album for many moods and occasions, more so than on any of their other releases, fine though they are. Sure, it has some lesser tracks but they help rather than hinder; I can play it before I go out or after I come home, or Tuesday night, Sunday afternoon, whenever. It sits at the poppier end of electronica, and is definitely recommended for those who like an album to take them somewhere and are happy to enjoy the ride."
My First Chemical Brothers Album
Anirudh Shivaswamy | Nagpur,India | 06/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just bought this one out of curiosity - I'd heard a lot of positive publicity , plus the sample of 'Block Rockin' Beats'. The songs reflect the use of varied beats,which is why they're called 'The Beatmasters'. My favourite was 'Got Glint?'. Haven't heard another song like it till date. Highly recommended!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1