The Chemical Brothers > Reviews (3)

The Chemical Brothers

The Chemical Brothers are Tom and Ed; over the past 10 years they have built a reputation of being one of the biggest and most innovative dance bands in the world. It all began in 1989 in Manchester when they met whilst studying History. The pair both shared a love of music, not just of the of the emerging dance music that was taking over Britain but of rock, soul, hiphop and funk. Before they started recording music they began Djing in various spots around Manchester, they assumed the name "The Dust Brothers". Their eceltic mix of acid house, hiphop and rock in their sets soon earned them a reputation amongst clubbers in Manchester. They played at legendary club, The Hacienda and just about everywhere else they could.

In all didn't take off until the pair entered the studio in 1992, this is where they would really find their feet. In 1992 they produced a song called "Song to Siren" which found its away into Djs sets throughout the country most noteably of Andrew Wetherall. He loved the big bass, breakbeats, it was something he had never heard before but he loved it. He eagerly signed Tom and Ed to his record label. In 1994 they found critical acclaim by working with major artists of the time such as Manic Street Preachers. Their work was considered groundbreaking for the time and things really began to take off when they played their first live set. It was in this year they ditched the name "The Dust Brothers" and settled for "The Chemical Brothers" instead.

1995 saw the release of their first album "Exit Planet Dust" it was rough, but excellent and they ahieved top 20 success with two of the singles. Again they worked with well-known artists, a formula that never fails for them. On this album they used Beth Orten's vocals which are just superb. The album was a hit for them and they had finally achieved mainstream success outside of Manchester and the world of clubbers. The album to date has sold around 1.3million, not bad for a debut album from a dance band! During 1995 and 1996 they went back to what they started with by doing countless Dj gigs around the world. They toured the states where their formula of breakbeat, mad electric noises and indie style vocals had been going down a treat.

Just when you thought things couldn't get much better The Chemical Brothers bounced back with an amazing track "Setting Sun" which featured guest vocals from Noel Gallagher. The result was an amazing track with huge siren sounds, but with a pounding beats, Noel's vocals fit seemlessly over the tune. This was number one in the Uk.The second album was even bigger than the first. "Dig your own Hole" confirmed that they were one of the most innovative bands to come out of the UK in years. In this album they successfully meshed together their won unique breakbeats with a rock edge, most apparent in their huge single "Block Rockin Beats". This tune was not just a massive hit here but also in the USA where they were awarded a Grammy for "Best Rock Instrumental".

Whilst having massive success in the charts, they never forgot their roots and continued to DJ at clubs all over the world. However now they were not the residents or warm up DJs....they were the headliners.

In 1998 they released a DJ mix album which showed off their DJ skills and love of every type of music, it was their only release of the year. In 1999 they returned to the fore of dance music with their excellent album "Surrender". Surrender proved to be another massive hit for them. The first release was "Out Of Control"; the name sums the song up wonderfully, but this and the other releases were all over shadowed by one beast of a tune. "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" became one of their biggest hits to date. The infectious but simple line "Hey Boy, Hey Girl, Superstar DJ, Here we go!" seemed to some up a generation of mad up for it clubbers. The video for it went down a storm, talking dancing skeletons...pure entertainment. The album went flying off the shelves and became one of the most have albums again they used Noel Gallagher for guest vocals. However it failed to earn the real critical acclaim that the "Exit Planet Dust" and "Dig Your Hole" had earned.

After not getting the crtical acclaim, Tom and Ed returned to the underground dance music scene. For their next venture they decided to follow a much more Dance music path. They worked hard and put out "It Began In Africka" a pounding, tribal house with huge vocals. It was only released on white label but after having been played by nearly every DJ, they released it properly. The album "Come with Us" is a great dance album, and featured Beth Orten and Richard Ashcroft on guest vocals. Every song on it is superb and well produced, it's full of funk in tunes like "Denmark" and also great house music such as "Star Guitar". The album doesn't have the big breakbeats but it still has the energy.

This year they have came back yet again with another huge album. "Push The Button" which has already got a huge response from the fans and critics alike. This first single "Galvanize" marks a return to the big beats, the siren noises which is all wonderfully pieced together with Q Tips great raps.

Apart from making wonderful albums and music, The Chemcial Brothers are always at the festivals in the summer to play live sets and these are truely awesome. If you love the more dance orientated tunes from them, they release techno and house tunes under the name "Electronic Battle Weapon"; these are huge tunes in clubs. If you have never listened to the Chemical Brothers before I think the best album to buy first would be "Dig your own Hole" as it sums their style up greatly, however my favourite album so far is "Come with Us" it has great production and proves they can make top quality dance tunes.

The Chemical Brothers have influenced many people including FatBoy Slim whose imatations of Chemical Brother's beats started off the whole BigBeat revival in the 90s. But they have also influenced a generation of young people to make dance music and keep it alive.

"We do exactly what excites and interests us" - Tom and Ed
"We like all the music we make" Tom and Ed

And who said dance music was dead? Thanks for reading H.xo

DISCOGRAPHY
1995 Exit Planet Dust
1997 Dig Your Own Hole
1998 Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Mix Cd)
1999 Surrender
2002 Come With Us
2003 Singles 93-03 (features a single with the Flaming Lips)
2005 Push The Button