The Chemical Brothers: Tom Rowlands, Ed Simons.
Additional personnel includes: Beth Orton, Richard Ashcroft (vocals); Shovell, Beverley Skeete, Greg Flemming, James Hunt.
Recorded at Miloco Studios, South London, England.
Since their arrival on the scene in the early '90s, the Chemical Brothers (a.k.a. Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands) have gained an unimpeachable reputation for their finesse in producing finely nuanced dance music for thinking adults as well as sweaty kids. This is only enhanced by COME WITH US, part of a long line of impeccably wrought beat-filled soundscapes. Beth Orton (she of the Sandy Denny-in-outer-space larynx), and Richard Ashcroft, late of The Verve, both make appearances here, the former in the gorgeously laid-back "The State We're In," and the latter on the synthetic boogaloo of the album- closing, anthemic "The Test."
While the Brothers stick close to their tried and tested formula of accessible, leftfield club sounds, they still have few peers in their field. Apart from being an undoubtedly attractive commercial proposition, COME WITH US is also a compelling journey through the preceding decade of electronica; sample heavy, breaking into beats with swooping vocal lines, and utilizing old-faithful found sounds such as whale calls and celebrity vocalists in pursuit of a perfect, seamless, modern-life soundtrack.
What the critics say...
Rolling Stone (2/14/02, p.62) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Rocks like a jet engine in a jewel case...hyperkinetic, gorgeous beats..."
Spin (2/02, pp.105-6) - 9 out of 10 - "...A modest triumph...integrating their 2 sides: high-octane thrust and airy psychedelic dreaminess....an almost perfect album, an invitation not to be refused..."
Entertainment Weekly (2/01/02, p.107) - "The Brothers excel at turning extra-strength breakbeats into roller-coaster dance tracks..." - Rating: B
Q (Jan/02, p.97) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...blend[s] the brutal efficiency of current dancefloor trends with...the music that prompted [them] to make records....good, clean, hedonistic fun..."
Alternative Press (2/02, p.67) - 7 out of 10 - "...A return to the early-'90s acid-house exuberance that first inspired them..."
Mixmag (2/02, p.58) - 5 out of 5 - "...There are enough ear-tickling noises for us to realise they havn't lost their Midas....these tunes will sound amazing played out. Which is precisely what clubland needs now."
Vibe (3/02, p.174) - 4 discs out of 5 - "...It's an incredible trip..."
Mojo (Publisher) (2/02, p.98) - "...A genuinely thrilling, energy-charged adventure that effortlessly spans Balearic house, electronic folk and post-techno, neo-disco and beats-driven epic blues..."
NME (Magazine) (1/26/02, p.35) - 6 out of 10 - "...thrilling..."
