Perhaps it’s a clich�d preconception that dance music should be more progressive than rock, but it is depressing, considering how exciting the Chemical Brother’s debut, Exit Planet Dust, was in 1995, how predictable their sound has become of late.
Not that there aren’t several hands-aloft moments of pure dancefloor epiphany on their sixth album: Saturate, for example, is a terrific, old school trancey banger, while the title track layers a locomotive groove with twinkly, Talking Heads-ish keys, building to synapse-bursting intensity. Great as it is, though, it could slot into Surrender without a ripple. Do It Again, too, while fiendishly danceable, is oddly reminiscent of Block Rockin’ Beats, despite its timely rave squeaks. Even with the usual raft of oh-so-now guests, the album doesn’t seem to hang together particularly well. The best moments tap in to the sort of gently hopeful comedown euphoria, all’s-right-with-the-world feeling they do so well, such as Das Spiegel, with its plucked guitar and or the standout Burst Generator, a more menacing slowbuilding number with a euphoric climax reminiscent of Screamadelica-era Primals via Soulwax. Sadly, the last four tracks are just dull, and you’re left with the feeling the superstar DJs have run out of gas.
