The Chemical Brothers

Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Astralwerks)
by Lex Marburger

Well, I fell for the hype. And it hasn’t let me down yet. I’m not sure how The Chemical Brothers are able to satisfy both the critical and popular minds, especially seeing as how this whole “electronica” thing has some very fickle critics (don’t you point that finger at me!). I’ve never been too keen on mix CDs cuz it’s usually untranslatable and boring when it comes out of a club and onto a stereo. So what makes Brothers Gonna Work it Out different? Hmmm. Probably that they change up so damn much. Tracks span from 1972 (“It’s Just Begun” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch) to 1998 (“I Think I’m in Love” by Spiritualized). The beats are scattered from the dance hall boom to skittish jungle (and, yes, the “Block Rockin’ Beats” are included). This holds interest while showcasing the seamless mixing styles of Los Hermanos Chemicles.

That’s another thing… Rather than having just one track, or interrupting the mix flow by breaking up all the tracks, they clumped several mixes together on one track, thereby keeping the “crazy flow” while permitting us to skip around. So if we get sick of their acid house stylin’, we can go to the big beat, or some other silly sub-genre name. But even with all this disparity, eventually it all comes down to the Chemical Brothers. This is their album, and no matter who they mix, their indelible mark is stamped upon the music. But you knew that. This is the new Chem. Bros. album. This is their work. You think electronica is goin’ out of style? Then listen to what they pulled from Metro L.A.: “Take that, motherfuckers!”
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