ROCKIN' OUR TURNTABLE: The Chemical Brothers

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 24, 2010 4:20PM

At this point it's kind of easy to take The Chemical Brothers for granted. When they burst onto the mid-'90s dance scene they were the equivalent of an atom bomb, infusing a rock and/or roll sensibility into the clubs and throwing open the doors to legions of pale imitations. As the years have passed the duo has generally re-embraced the more liquid sounds of the acid house days and we were beginning to fear they had become a nostalgia act of sorts. Their latest album, Further, shows the duo to be re-energized, creating some of their best music in years by allowing themselves to drift to wherever each song needs them to do. Contrast the sleepy burble of the opening track "Snow" with the Krautrok rush of "K+D+B."

While Further appeals to us through such diversity if you're looking to lose yourselves amongst the lasers and smoke machines The Chemical Brothers can still provide the heady rush of the dance club. Plug into the sprawling "Escape Velocity," get lost in its ebb and flow and inescapable groove. The Chemical Brothers may not be at the forefront of everyone's minds when it comes to thinking of dance music, but Further proves once again that they are masters of the beat and rulers of the studio.

The Chemical Brothers play North Coast Music Festival on September 3 at Union Park, $40 single-day ticket / $85 3-day pass