a review from my local alt paper
CHEMICAL BROTHERS
Push the Button
VERDICT: Dance music for fans of Nissan ads.
LABEL: Astralwerks (astralwerks.com)
RELEASE: 1.25.05
ELECTRONIC / DANCE
The Chemical Brothers are at it again. With their latest release, Push the Button, the boys have enlisted the help of A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, past collaborator Tim Burgess and others to create their most straight-up pop album to date. While these efforts are commendable, the results are not. The lead single “Galvanize,” featuring Q-Tip, combines a lame P. Diddy-esque call-to-the-dance-floor rap with a Donna Summer via Studio 54 violin instrumental, creating a hands-in-the-air singalong that combines the worst of the ‘70s with the worst of the ‘90s. The second track is less disappointing, but unfortunately that’s because a significant chunk of the song is straight out of the science lab of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. The album has several highs—particularly the bubble-goose-stepping, military funk of “Left Right” and “Shake Break Bounce,” a salsa-dipped, Spanish Harlem-flavored goodie that would be perfectly at home on the Black Eyed Peas’ Elephunk. But overall, the Brothers’ affinity for the rave scene in the Matrix Reloaded along with their over-reliance on ring-tone touches and toy laser gun sounds come together to spoil the return of these former kings.
--Chris Haire