Drowned in Sound Festivals

Search


Drowned in Sound Event sponsored tours and events.

beautiful burnout

Underworld: Beautiful Burnout

no votes
?
by Mike Diver

While the most remarkable thing about Underworld nowadays is their longevity rather than anything the pair commit to disc, there’s no doubting their superlative talents within studio confines. ‘Beautiful Burnout’ tosses the listener no surprises – unless they’ve never before experienced the group, which is surely unlikely – but retains the trademark glossiness and compositional class that’s informed Underworld’s work since their attention-grabbing debut (Mk II) album, Dubnobasswithmyheadman.

A song of stages, each linked by Karl Hyde’s low-mixed vocal monotony, ‘Beautiful Burnout’ never grinds its way through to fifth gear, but meanders in a fashion that’s hard to hate on. It’s precisely what the initiated will expect: build-ups to breakdowns telegraphed ahead of schedule, incessancy reined when necessary and allowed a loose collar whenever the tempo drops too low. It’s by the book: some, therefore, will deem this brilliant; others simply standard. Me? I’m splitting that difference and digging out Beaucoup Fish.

- - -

- - -

  • Underworld 7 / 10

It's a lovely tune

and easily the best thing on the otherwise by-numbers 'Oblivion With Bells'.

They just haven't reached their peak since Darren Emerson left. Yeah, I know, I'm like a broken record on this issue, but you do the math...

Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Second Toughest in the Infants, Beaucoup Fish - Emerson involved.

A Hundred Days Off, Oblivion With Bells - no Emerson.


That's a bit harsh

I thought A Hundred Days Off was a decent enough album. They were never likely to reach the peak of 'Beaucoup Fish' again though.


they've

matured with age i think.
yeah, mid 90s emerson involved albums were more about relentless energy, now i think underworld are more about minimalism and a less frenetic sound.

they did say oblivion with bells was influenced by loads of minimal techno they heard in berlin, so if you put it next to the likes of villalobos' fabric and stuff like false and camea, it holds up pretty well.


Two Months Off

Is one of te best dance tracks of all time!