Their latest release, however, does not have this masterpiece status. Rather, "Music: Response" is an EP of material previously unavailable in the U.S., released, essentially, to keep their sizeable American audience happy while the Brothers continue to work on a new full-length album.
While the record will indeed keep the heads of established fans bobbing, it does not have the potential for crossover success that earlier Chemical Brothers releases did. The EP opens with the heavy beats and computerized vocals of the title track, which originally appeared on "Surrender." It sets the tone for the rest of the disc and, in a sense, for the philosophy behind the Brothers' work: music creating a response.
Next we're given a set of outtakes from the "Surrender" sessions, including the groove and electro-funk of "Freak of the Week." Its sheer power as a dance track begs the question, "This is an outtake?"
After a set of fairly unspectacular remixes of the title track done by fellow Mancunian DJ Justin Robertson, the EP climaxes with two live recordings from the Brothers' performance at the Glastonbury Festival this past summer. "Out of Control" and "Got Glint" pack a tremendous double wallop and make the studio versions pale in comparison. The record includes a bonus multimedia track containing the video for "Let Forever Be," featuring Noel Gallagher vocals, which is, fittingly for this collection, unavailable anywhere else.
Ten years ago, the Chemical Brothers single-handedly started a revolution in electronic music. Growing up in the midst of the "Madchester" scene, with healthy doses of not only Kraftwerk but also My Bloody Valentine and the Sex Pistols, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons began to fuse their rock and roll sensibilities with their turntables.
The Chemical Brothers were on a mission to produces beats and sequences to which even the most leftfooted clubber would happily get up and move. Through their residency at London's Heavenly Social, the Brothers created a distinct dance sound and transformed the London club scene.
"Music: Response" will satisfy those already aware of the Brothers' capabilities both in the studio and on the dancefloor. It doesn't, however, have the same appeal that had everyone from ravers to alt-rockers grabbing copies of "Dig Your Own Hole."