"An Electro-Head’s Wet Dream"

The Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood

Record Label: Virgin
Date of Release: September 2nd, 2008
Produced By: Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons

1. Galvanize (featuring Q-Tip)
2. Hey Boy Hey Girl
3. Block Rockin' Beats
4. Do It Again
5. Believe
6. Star Guitar
7. Let Forever Be (featuring Noel Gallagher)
8. Leave Home
9. Keep My Composure (featuring Spank Rock)
10. Saturate
11. Out Of Control
12. Midnight Madness
13. The Golden Path
14. Setting Sun (featuring Noel Gallagher)
15. Chemical Beats

In June 2008, The Chemical Brothers announced that they would be releasing a compilation album of a few select hits dating back to their inception. This, to electronic music fans, was akin to The Beatles releasing an album of their greatest hits whilst still together. The result, as would be expected of one of the most influential electronic musical acts of all time, is simply shocking.

To choose fifteen tracks from a plethora of hits is like asking a mother to pick their favourite child. A tough task indeed, however, the final selection gives due credit to their breadth of ability. ‘Brotherhood’ mixes the best examples of techno, electro-house, hip-hop, and rock influences that put The Chemical Brothers on the map.

The first four tracks on the album are oddly also my favourites; however, all of the album’s selections are equally sublime in their own way. ‘Galvanize’, from the 2005 album ‘Push the Button’, gets things started with the recognizable combination of funky, minimalist hip-hop beat and lyrics by Q-Tip, of ‘A Tribe Called Quest’ fame. Following that is ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’, which still has that magical ability to make you want to move and, even almost ten years after its original release on ‘Surrender’, sounds as fresh as ever. Perhaps the duo’s biggest commercial success, Grammy winning ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’ is as effortlessly cool a track as it was when it debuted on 1997’s ‘Dig Your Own Hole’ and still impresses with its genre-clashing, window-shattering sound. 2007 single ‘Do It Again’ really rounds out what The Chemical Brothers are all about: distinctive sounds that, although dance floor ready, are multi-faceted and rich enough to be enjoyed in a host of other ways.

Did I mention that there was also a second disc with remixes of their own material? Dubbed ‘Electronic Battle Weapon’ and created over a twelve year span, they are split up into ten parts and are probably worth your time as well. Be sure to check out the deadly rendition of ‘Under the Influence’ in part three.

An eclectic selection of fifteen original tracks plus re-edits thrown in for good measure that, dare I say, gives justice to what The Chemical Brothers have come to accomplish in the electronic music scene. Fans much like me will sleep easier knowing their legacy has stood the test of time.


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