this is a lesson in how to follow up an already belting first album (see "Exit Planet Dust"). Its basically more of the same only this time, its a whole lot more upbeat.

The big crunchy breaks on "Block Rocking Beats", the so low sub kicks of "Setting Sun", the mesmerising "Private Psychadelic Reel" to the blissfull "Where Do I Begin" again, the Chemical Brothers have made an album that is more akin to a journey. What is notable with the LP is the more rockier influence.

This is how i always imagined dance to sound like and SHOULD sound like.

I've first heard the Chemical Brothers with "Block Rockin' Beats" and immediatly decided to buy this CD. At that time I was a Big Beat fan and The Prodigy were my almighty gods. But after "Dig Your Own Hole", I quickly discovered that this typical style was far more mature than any other Big Beat band. More mature because more sentimental, deeply more powerful and peaceful at the same time. And this is exactly what we find in this album: peaceful power and powerful peace.

After listening to this album, it becomes evident that these two guys definetely have talent. Their reputation is certainly well deserved as they've created an outstanding record that is well-structured and produced (both fast-paced and chillout tunes) making it a perfect record for a pleasant listening @ home. However, it also contains some tracks that can provide a great atmosphere for the dancefloor...
The album is pure sound engineering and everything really does «fit» in the right place. I'll highlight the following tracks as the most representative: «Dig Your Own Hole», «Elektrobank», «Setting Sun», «It Doesn't Matter» and «The Private Psychedelic Reel».
Other albums have followed (with some great songs as well) but this is IMHO the best as it feels more balanced and consistent.

Think of this CD as an entire night. You've got 'Block Rockin' Beats' to get you hyped to go out, the lively 'Dig your own Hole' leads into the truly pumping 'Electrobank', then the next four songs represent the pinnacle of the night. That portion when everyone's out on the dance floor without a care in the world. 'Get Up On It Like This' features some really trippy loops and distorted vocals, that time in the night(or early morning) when you're overwhelmed with sight and sounds and things just don't quite make sense. Once 'Lost in the K-Hole Again' kicks in you're on your way home with a couple close friends then 'Where Do I Begin' kicks in as you watch dawn come to light over the horizon. 'The Private Psychedelic Reel' is the next few hours you desperately try to fall asleep. All in all a truly profound album, and one that i would recommend to newbies and purists alike.