After the huge success of their debut album Melody AM, Royskopp is back with their stunning followup album "The Understanding". This album is full of slick down-tempo grooves like "Triumphant". There's also quite a few vocals here including the soul-soaked "49 Percent" with it's beautiful flowing basslines and awesome dancey energy. We also have some wicked funk laden rhythm with tunes like "Follow my Ruin". There's also the Bjork-like, commanding and enchanting vocals of Kate Havnevik on "What Else Is There?". "Circuit Breaker" is an upbeat male vocal with intense morphing basslines and massive percussion. But one of the real corkers here is "Alpha Male" which is undeniably, a massive dancefloor anthem with tremendous energy and minblowing climaxes that will have you going mad.
"The Understanding" is full of those haunting keys, warped melodys and ass-shakin grooves that we've come to know and love from this Norwegian duo but they have definitely taken things to another level here. Bottom line. Don't miss this album!

D3: "Dead To The World" is such a gem on this release. The melodic build-up is perfectly arranged. The instruments are really complimenting each other and it takes the melody to a new level, constantly changing small detail in the rythm. The lyrics are fantastic! And the vocals are very smooth and almost whispering. This is worth buying the album for.

"Follow My Ruin"- fantastic- playful and earnest with wonderfully Euro synth-pop and disco flavors. Rest of the album solid, too. These guys are generally above average- meaning most of their stuff is pretty good, and then they come out with gems like "Follow My Ruin."

The seconde full-length of Royksopp sounds definitely different, more pop-oriented and less original, with moods frequently evoking different artists of 80-90's. However, it is still produced with the unique sound and manner of those norwegians... more easy-listening perhaps, but in its unique way. Still a highly enjoyable album, full of interesting stuff. Just don't dismiss it too quickly.

What a deception!!! This album sounds like a Pet Shop Boys album from 15 years ago. Probably the 2 kids discovered them, lost personality and all the good intuitions they offer us in the first very eclectic album.
Good to listen to your hairdresser or on the millions of commercial radios that will definetly play this cheap cheasy stuff!
Even with the best equipment of the world this music would sound sterile to me.
It will be perfect for all the Yuppy-Wasp boring parties around!
XXI Century surely needs less pre-cooked stuff than this!

This CD is absolutely amazing. These two artists really have top notch production skills. "The Understanding" isn't exactly like "Melody A.M." but that is one of the reasons why this album rocks.

I suggest listening to this release on a system that has a decent sub-woofer, Röyksopp put extra effort into perfecting their lower frequencies. There is plenty of sonic variety, experimentation, nice heavy beats, and great melodic synth work. I highly reccomend this CD.

Who would like this CD: Break-Dancers, Poppers, Music Lovers