hyperrealANDsupercool reviews Underworld's 'Oblivion With Bells'

If you're going to approach this expecting a new Moaner or King Of Snake you're going to be seriously disappointed.

The new Underworld album starts with a nice dark, deep duo of tracks. The single, Crocodile, [the only true dance track on the album I'd say] with it's sexy squelchy bass runs [with a slight tempo change?] into Beautiful Burnout. Another nice bass line and some typical Underworld drums towards the end. Easily the two stand out tracks of the album, both classic Underworld and I hope they open their set with Crocodile.



Holding the Moth takes the pace down slightly with a vaguely Grime-y bass line but not the beats to match. This could have been so much more of a track with a bit more "oomph" to it. To Heal is a brief  instrumental lament [for Born Slippy?] followed by Ring Road. The first major disappointment of the album for me. An urban poem with a similar beat to Bruce Lee [I've tried to like this one but it doesn't really go anywhere].   Glam Bucket is another instrumental, this one awash with uninspiring hypnotic synth sounds and minimal drums. A lone kick drum in fact. It might work live if kicked up the arse though... I suspect.

Boy, Boy, Boy has a prominent guitar compared to the rest of the album  and for some reason reminds me of Fleetwood Mac. Vocally, in parts... I think it's the harmonies. It is...almost, a rock tune! But there are folky influences there too. Then we have Cuddle Bunny Vs The Celtic Villages. I thought, with the soundtrack work and the River Run tracks that Underworld might have the "experimental" stuff out of their systems for this release. I'll listen to all manner of weird shit but this track doesn't fit here if you ask me. Please don't do this one live!

Faxed Invitation adds a bit of rhythm to the proceedings, albeit minimally, with vocodered spoken vocals [hints of Laurie Anderson]. But old school Underworld nonetheless. Good Morning Cockerel starts with a couple of intertwined piano parts, some vocals drift in and cello [possibly] drifts out and it's gone... You wouldn't miss it. Best Mamgu Ever starts with Philip Glass-esque piano then a rock ballad type beat kicks in followed by some dubby bass and more wishy washy synth sounds. A dreamy album closer I suppose but my attention was lost after track three really.

It's growing on me a bit more after 5 plays but I can only profess to really liking four tracks so far. I think, overall, it's closer to Second Toughest In The Infants and DubNoBassWithMyHeadMan than 100 Days Off. 6/10

Steve Wilde, hyperrealANDsupercool

hyperrealANDsupercool Review of Underworld Live at the Roundhouse 10/17/07