I had no idea it was out...

Is it good? I didn't like the last one too much. The two before that were fine with me.

Did anyone get this?

superspaceboy said:

didn't get the album yet but the single is absolutely superb!

it makes me feel like it's 1995 again and I'm on the floor at

my fav club, shaking like an epileptic, high on the booming

bass, 40 cigarettes and a bottle of apfelkorn (don't ask)....


ah, the good old days





we have explosive
we have explosive
we have explosive
we have explosive

IstenSzek said:

we have explosive...that FSOL...is it from the new Chem Bros?

I skimmed through it and the only song I really liked was "Galvanize". I do like that one.

superspaceboy said:

now, but thinking about those days made me think of FSOL again,
that used to be the crowd favorite

IstenSzek said:

Yeah when it got played...not like we're ever gonna hear it live.

I just picked this up yesterday, but haven't given it a spin yet...

Hopefully will tonite!

so, what is "the single?"

I always have a tough time giving ANY kind of review after just one listen, but here goes...

Galvanize- (featuring Q-tip). Good beat, great vocals, some interesting strings that sound new and fresh for the Chem Bros. It seems to have fans on here already, for good reason. This had better be the lead-off single. If not, they need to put this out.

The Boxer- I am COMPLETELY biased cos the vocal are done by Tim Burgess (from the Charlatans) but...I like it! It's not as catchy as Galvanize. But, that is often a good thing. In a few more listens I'll be able to figure out if I really like the track or if I just LOVE Tim Burgess

Believe- Good beat, lotsa nice little tweaks n blips n bleeps and it builds up well. But it sounds a lot like Chem Bros we've heard before. Some will love this. Some are sick of it...

Hold Tight- Sweet vocals by Anna Lynne and actual drums (not programmed) provided by Jon Brookes of the Charlatans. Again, this track is VERY Chem Bros. But I think it's a good thing in this track. The beat and the flowing vocals help creat a mystical atmosphere.

Come Inside- looped chant, lotsa crazy cowbells and knob twiddling, Reminds me of Hey Boy, Hey Girl...but not as good. It does have an unexpected breakdown in the middle of the song, they lose their way for a minute but find their way back to the chant and the beat...

The Big Jump- one of a few tracks to play with some almost electroclash sounds. One simple vocal line is repeated throughout. Nothing too groundbreaking but it has a lot of energy. I would enjoy it on the dance floor.

Left Right- I don't know what to think of this song. I know nothing about the vocalist/rapper (Anwar Superstar) but this is a rap song. It's quite dark and brooding and with "left right" repeated throughout almost the whole song. It took me by surprise, but I don't think in a good way.

Close Your Eyes- Vocals provided by The Magic Numbers. Moments of this cut sound almost like the Cocteau Twins. The arrangement seems a bit more simple, which works. Granted the Bros have a million things going on in the song, but they leave the knobs alone and let the song unfold. I like it. A lot.

Shake Break Bounce- Built on a funky li'l guitar bit. They are back to twiddling the knobs. Decent background music, but nothing too amazing.

Marvo Ging- Lotsa looped musical bits, sparse vocals snuck in on occasion, LOTSA tweaking going on. The song ebbs and flows, almost stops and then kicks back in. The trouble is, I feel like I've heard this track on EVERY Chem Bros album.

Surface To Air- Everything I said about "Marvo Ging" applies here. This is the requisite end to a Chem Bros cd. It starts slow before building up to a magic beat. I'm sure it will end the show perfectly. Bound to get people pumping their fists in the air and bouncing for joy. Not necessarily any better than previous album closers, but a good track.



I like it enough after TWO listens now ( ) that I'll give it some more time. If you are a fan of their past efforts, I don't think you'd be disappointed by this effort. You may not be blown away, but that may not be needed at this point in their career. Although, I would like them to blow me away one more time.... This will have to do until that happens.

It really has its moments but I agree with most of the reviews here.

track 2 is a groove and the last track reminds me of U2 for the chord changes (only better)

k, the album has grown on me this week and Galvanize rocks my world right now. It's a GREAT morning song!