“Music: Response” opens the album with “music that triggers some kind of response.” The robotic voice confirms what the Chemical Brothers’ real intentions are.
So if you’ve packed your flannels and other grunge accessories and decided that you’re not going to jump on the next musical bandwagon, then maybe this album isn’t for you. Maybe you’re still not convinced that techno, or whatever you want to call it, has a future. Well, keep believing that, and pretty soon you are going to be as hip as the Partridge Family. As for those of you out there that haven’t bought a techno disc because of the lack of vocals, this album might motivate you to climb on the wagon.
Four of the eleven tracks have a vocalist. The Chemical Brothers have invited back a few of their friends from previous works. Noel Gallagher is featured on a trippy song that seems to pay homage to the Beatles, “Let Forever Be”. Gallagher’s track is secondary to the contribution from New Order’s Bernard Sumner and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, “Out Of Control”. The Chemical Brothers should do more tracks with these two. The vocals are a shoe that the Chemicals wear well. Hope Sandoval does what Mazzy Star does best: a slow, sleepy eyed track entitled “Asleep From Day”. Though the music is grand, even with its diversity, it’s not very rewarding.
“Orange Wedge” sits between two of the best vocal tracks. The prism destroying sound boggles your ears as well as your mind. “The Sunshine Underground” starts off innocently enough with its Spiritualized legs that forever run toward the climax.
“Got Glint?” is full of thick breakneck beats. When the snare starts ticking, you’d better hold onto your seat. The rhythm builds to a feverish level. “Hey Boy Hey Girl” trips back to the ’80’s and blasts it straight to the century beyond. The title track, “Surrender”, is amazing. It’s as imaginative and satisfying as anything I’ve heard from these guys. “Dream On” features Jonathan Donahue, lead man for the best band you’ve never heard, Mercury Rev. Donahue sings and plays guitar on the finale and rocks you to sleep with this beautiful lullaby.
The Chemical Brothers have decided that there is plenty of work to be done. Tossing in robotic murmurs here and there that blow a twisted kiss to your lips, the Chemical Brothers know how to walk the walk with conviction. Addiction and chemical dependence are hard to kick.
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