When the
big beat
boom gradually subsided,
the Chemical Brothers
initially sought refuge within a carefully crafted version of
house
music both epic and psychedelic. Still, the duo are fusion fans at heart, and their fifth studio album,
Push the Button
, finds them easing back to their true love -- pulverizing stylistic boundaries while they seek out clever hooks to hang their production caps on. The first half of the record is heavy on collaboration, beginning with the clear highlight,
"Galvanize,"
which features guest
Q-Tip
riding a delicious mid-tempo groove and the brothers teasing out an ingenious Middle Eastern string sample over the course of several breakdowns and over six minutes.
"The Boxer"
has
ChemBros
veteran
Tim Burgess
of
the Charlatans
coming on like an extroverted
Steve Miller
, while the next track,
"Believe,"
features
Britpop
newcomer
Kele Okereke
(of
Bloc Party
) agonizing over an energized electroshock production composed of equal parts
Prince
and Chicago
acid house
. It's clear
are still searching restlessly for new sounds and new fusions; only they could alternate a polemical
hip-hop
track --
"Left Right,"
a guest spot for
Anwar Superstar
, who, incidentally, may be the younger brother of
Mos Def
, but sounds like he's been living in
Jay-Z
's head for a few years -- with a feature for an indie band,
the Magic Numbers
(
"Close Your Eyes"
). Obviously, it's far more refreshing to explore new territory rather than merely go back over old ground; while
"Come Inside"
suffers by aping their 1997 approach, the subsequent track,
"The Big Jump,"
finds the pair energized with a fresh gloss on their patented sound (although it is easy to notice how the skronky guitars in the background are clearly a post-
electroclash
development). While there aren't as many heart-stopping productions as on 2002's unjustly neglected
Come With Us
,
proves
have retained the innate curiosity necessary to keep them blazing trails for years to come. ~ John Bush