Musically, this album is another triumph for the Chems. The opening track is 'Music: Response' and it features a vocal sample by Missy Elliott. This is a deep track that starts off somewhat light but falls into bass rhythm section that's off the charts. It's absolutely brilliant. The second track, 'Under The Influence' is just as smart. It's got a driving beat that picks up right where the first album leaves off. There's a girl saying over and over, "I was under the influence" and the frantic keyboards and beats makes you feel almost entranced as well. I should not, on the US advance promo, this song is titled, 'Influenced'. I should also note, 'Music: Response' was released as a single E.P. towards the end of the album's promotion period. 'Under The Influence' was released almost a year before the album as 'Electronic Battle Weapon 3' in an extended version.
The next track is another single, 'Out Of Control'. I like the music, but I'm not a huge fan of the song. Bernard Sumner is best known for his work with New Order, Joy Division and Electronic. He's worked with The Chemical Brothers before and he's done good work with them in the past. 'Orange Wedge' features some island sounding percussion with some high pitched synth lines playing over the drums. There's also something sounding vaguely like dogs barking. 'Let Forever Be' is another single and features Noel Gallagher on vocals. Gallagher is the lead singer of Oasis. And he does a great job here.
'The Sunshine Underground' starts off with a keyboard line that evokes the anthem quality of many previous numbers. The build is slow but cheerful and when it finally explodes, it's absolutely wonderful. It has a similar quality to 'The Private Psychedelic Reel'. These anthem tracks seem to have a 70's sound to them and they are positive and completely uplifting. 'Asleep From Day' comes up next and features another vocalist. This time, it's a singer who's also worked with the Chems before. Hope Sandoval, the dreamy singer from Mazzy Star lends her talents to this odd little gem. I'm not exactly sure what the song is about, but it's quite relaxing and serves as the first true slow song on the album.
It's followed by a tune that builds the beats back up with a repeated scale building into a cascading collapse of sound. 'Got Glint?' is an interesting number and certainly adds to the conceptual nature of the album. It's followed by the album's biggest and most well known single, 'Hey Boy Hey Girl'. This is one of those tracks people expect to hear in concert and during live performances of any sort. It's a staple of the Chemical Brothers discography. And well deserved. This number rocks the beat relentlessly. Next up is another interesting track. It's 'Surrender'. The title track from the album. It should be noted, on the US advance promo, the song is titled, 'Racing The Tide' and truth be told, I feel it's the more appropriate title. When I hear this tune, I can imagine running along a beach jumping out of the path of oncoming waves early in the morning. As the sun is coming up. After a long night of merriment and happiness. The peaceful come down for a crazy trip.
Jonathan Donahue, of Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips adds vocals to the final farewell track, 'Dream On'. If 'Surrender' was the gentle come down from the trip of the album, 'Dream On' is the clear bird song of the morning lulling the night time revelers to sleep. We truly become the Sunshine Underground. Finding our peaceful places to dream while the day emerges and spreads out before us.
I don't need to go on and on about this album. Pick it up, listen to it and find yourself convinced as much as I am. My final words: THE PERFECT MUSICAL TRIP FOR THE OPEN MIND.
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS - SURRENDER
01. Music: Response
02. Under The Influence (Influenced)
03. Out Of Control
04. Orange Wedge
05. Let Forever Be
06. The Sunshine Underground
07. Asleep From Day
08. Got Glint?
09. Hey Boy Hey Girl
10. Surrender (Racing The Tide)
11. Dream On
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