The Chemical Brothers are Back with We Are the Night
by John Accardo
It's always good to see experts of a genre make departures from their comfort zone to create some great music. The Chemical Brothers are definitely the kings of electronica, but their latest record shakes things up a bit with a touch less digitalism and a dash more rock and roll.
For the most part, you should know what you're getting with a Chemical Brothers album: some big or small star names and big block-rockin' beat party anthems of the summer. Ironically, Push The Button was a genuine return to form for the duo. However, this begs the question of the day: Can We Are the Night continue their renaissance?
First, let's start off with the talent lineup for this album. It features names that you may expect, such as Fat Lip from the Pharcyde and the Klaxons. And some that may just raise an eyebrow, with surprise Boston folkie Willy Mason and Texan folky rockers Midlake.
They're all mixed in with the usual Chemical Brothers instrumentals of exhilarating and slightly spacey anthems. The fact is that any of these probably sound a bit better on the dance floor—with the best sound system available, prevalent body heat and a glass of water—than in your bedroom, although there is a pleasingly epic quality to tracks like "Burst Generator." The title track rather self-referentially sees the Chemicals sampling themselves, borrowing back the Surrender track "The Sunshine Underground." A lot of times this tactic falls flat, but it definitely works in this instance. This all is in addition to the fact that after all these years, the big-beat groove of this track remains their digital calling card.
The minimal funk of "Do It Again" is another excellent high point, boasting a strong hook and vocals from hotly tipped London electro-popster Ali Love. And the spiritual heirs to the Chemicals sound, Klaxons, sound perfectly at home on "All Rights Reserved." In fact, rather unsurprisingly, it sounds like a Klaxons song produced by the Chemical Brothers—yet it soon becomes a bit dreary and could have been so much better.
Cowbells and blissed-out vocals dominate "A Modern Midnight Conversation," but too many of the instrumentals feel like the Chemicals treading water. "Saturate" and "Das Spiegal" are pretty run-of-the-mill electro anthems, the likes of which we've heard many times before. They probably sound a lot better at full volume in a field or club somewhere.
The one real misstep comes with the bizarre track "The Salmon Dance," featuring Fat Lip from the Pharcyde. It's a unique-sounding rap tune about a … salmon dancing. It doesn't fit with the record at all and sounds like something you might hear on SpongeBob Squarepants.
The one thing that the Chemicals are still terrific at though is the epic "come-down" track, which this time is "The Pills Won't Help You Now," featuring the Texans, Midlake. At a beautifully crafted six minutes long, it's the perfect length for the purpose it serves.
While you think you may know what you're getting with a Chemical Brothers album, they remain very adept at what they do. Still, with the seemingly waning popularity in electronica over the last couple of years, and a whole host of young pretenders threatening to take the Chemicals' crown, you get the impression that their next album may have to be a bit more adventurous if they're to survive.
The Chemical Brothers released their sixth record, We Are the Night, on Astralwerks Records and it is in stores now.
