Well it's another year and another release for the legends that are the Chemical Brothers.

In 1992 they made the decision that would make them what they are today. They decided to go into the studio and start making their own music. Their first song was "Song to Siren" which was championned by the DJ, Andy Wetherall. However it wasn't until 1995 that they finally got their album out, "Exit Planet Dust" under the newly assumed name "The Chemical Brothers". They proved that they could make new, fresh dance music with big, powerful beats but team it with vocals from the likes of Beth Orten. After this release the Chemical Brothers continued to bang out more hits and fantastic albums. Guest vocals from the Noel Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft on their tracks done nothing but enhance their status even more. They had massive chart and club hits with singles such as "Setting Sun", "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Hey Boy Hey Girl" to name only a few.

The album gets off to a great start straight away, the spinback from the record and the arab sounding violin hooks, it can only signal "Galvanize". This song was the first to be released off the album and proved to be a massive hit. "Galvanize" features the vocal delights of Q Tip (you may remember his hit "Breathe and Stop"); his raps are fabulous on this track and definately adds a lot to it. The songs progresses along with a pumping typical Chemical Brothers bassline, coupled with fantastic breakdowns that build and build with the vocals "Push the Button". Until finally they relent giving way to those ever so infectious violin hooks. This song is a real gem; it's got mass appeal to HipHop fans and to Dance fans because of the crossing over of genres. Next Up is "The Boxer" featuring another guest vocal this time from Tim Burgess of The Charlatans. This song is much more dance vibe to it than the previous hiphop stylings. An piano jam gets the track underway and Tim Burgess belts out "I can't seem to shake this feeling, I can't seem to put it down". The beats comes in and gets it all kicking off. This track swirls and glides it's way along. The piano jams constant throughout but added acid effects rough it up a bit and the rhythm is just damn funky. Burgess uses his vocal talents to really belt the vocals out with power and passion showing he can hit the high notes yet hold a tune. This is one hell of a song and a great choice for the new single.

Now one thing I love about Chemical Brothers albums is that some of the songs just blend into one another seemlessly. They mix their own tracks, well fade them in but it's great. So in fades "Hold Tight London" with an all together different vibe. Another pumping but yet mellow beat gets this track under way. This song has a dreamlike feel to it; probably all the small samples and sparkling touches teamed with guitars and keyboards. "Hold Tight London" features Anne Lynne on vocals; I have no idea who she is but her vocals really add to the dreamlike feel of this. She sings them in a haunting yet mellow style and the lyrics really are quite touching. "I'll just stay on holding until it hurts, I just want you to know your lovely." However true to Chemical Brothers style, you know this chilled vibe won't stay for long. "Come Inside" is another banging track with an almost anthemic like quality to it. The drumbeat is fast and it rolls along at a breakneck speed. The guitar rifts coupled with electronic samples make this track huge. The vocals are very plain and simple; machine like and precise, simply stating "Would you like to come inside." This track has the same sort of vibe as their massive hit "Block Rockin Beats."

"Close Your Eyes" marks another direction that the multi talented Chemical Brothers can take. The drumbeat is very simple with a tribal feeling, but sounds like it's almost in the distance,

Pictures of Push The Button - Chemical Brothers (The)

The Chemical Brothers

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So the answer to the question, can they still cut it? Absolutely. There is no doubt about it. What I love about this album is that they have packed in a real mix of styles and vibes into one album. There are the hiphop tracks, the real pumping Chemical tracks and the melodic, trippy almost indie feel to some. "Push The Button" features some of the best guest vocals you are likely to hear on an album. Every vocal fits perfectly into each track and hasn't just been quickly added in to make it have wider commercial appeal like some dance artists do. The wealth of vocal talent on here is amazing. There is everybody from hiphop star Q Tip, the wonderful Tim Burgess to the up and coming and wonderful The Magic Numbers.

Other Chemical Brothers Albums:
1995 Exit Planet Dust
1997 Dig Your Own Hole
1998 Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Mix Cd)
1999 Surrender
2002 Come With Us
2003 Singles 93-03 (features a single with the Flaming Lips
**If you like the Chemical Brothers more dance orientated tracks, they release a lot of tunes under the name of "Electronic Battle Weapon" and the releases are just called for example "Electronic Battle Weapon Number 5". They are great tracks but with a more tough house and techno feel to them.