A doubt..

[Maethodik]

I was listening to new Underworld song on my ipod.
Diamond Jigsaw, Always Loved A Film, Between Starsa, Strumpet...
These are nice tracks, but i don't feel the same intimist sound of past years.
Is this the new direction?
Song like Juanita, Luetin, Air Towel ecc ecc are only for the past?

[BrotherLovesDub]

For one, you're comparing songs that were fully formed and released on albums vs. songs that are in progress and being tested live. Not sure what you meant to say when you typed 'intimist', i assume intimate, but that really doesn't describe any of the songs you then listed as examples of what you liked. Strumpet, Between Stars and Diamond Jigsaw definitely have a similar, synth-heavy/song-based feel that neither Juanita nor Air Towel have, but there's no telling if those will appear on the next album or not. Musicians, and artists in general, need to evolve in order to continue to enjoy creating their art. If Underworld move on from a style you like, be happy they've given you joy in the past and be happy for them finding new ways to satisfy their desire to create.

[SappysCurry]

For one, you're comparing songs that were fully formed and released on albums vs. songs that are in progress and being tested live. Not sure what you meant to say when you typed 'intimist', i assume intimate, but that really doesn't describe any of the songs you then listed as examples of what you liked. Strumpet, Between Stars and Diamond Jigsaw definitely have a similar, synth-heavy/song-based feel that neither Juanita nor Air Towel have, but there's no telling if those will appear on the next album or not. Musicians, and artists in general, need to evolve in order to continue to enjoy creating their art. If Underworld move on from a style you like, be happy they've given you joy in the past and be happy for them finding new ways to satisfy their desire to create.

Well said.

Though I think I understand what he's saying. Juanita and Air Towel have a vibe to them that the other tracks don't have or better yet, is different than the vibe that the new, albeit unfinished tracks have. There are definite phases to Underworld's output over the years and while they are all different in terms of evolution, because that's really what it is...evolution, I can point out the inherent traits in every one of them that makes them all unmistakably Underworld tracks. 8 Ball is as much an Underworld track as ALAF is as much as Cowgirl is...if that makes sense?

[BrotherLovesDub]

Think of it this way. Do you do the same things you did 15 years ago?

[chems1919]

Personally, I love everything UW is releasing/experimenting with. One of the things that makes UW so brilliant to me is that they're B-Sides and their unreleased material is just as incredible, if not better than their official releases. Hearing tracks like Strumpet, Always Loved a Film, Between Stars and Telematic Peal (don't forget this gem) makes me appreciate this band. I just hope a riverrun release appears soon so I can play these in a high-quality form in the car.

[the mongoose]

Think of it this way. Do you do the same things you did 15 years ago?

Hell yeah!:)

[nosajmunson]

I like all of the newer songs, but I agree they do have a different vibe compared to older "classics". But the same can be said from album to album. Cowgirl to Pearls Girl, Juanita to King of Snake, Winjer to MoMove, Luetin to Boy, Boy, Boy. They are constantly changing and expanding while still staying true to a core style. (Beautiful Burnout & Push Upstairs to me have the exact same overcast dark feeling to them & I love that)

As artists in this day and age, that is incredible. The work they conitue to put out, in what ever format, is still really, really good.
Not many artist can say that after almost 20 (as Underworld Mk II) years.

These newer songs do remind me of well, late 80's synth pop.
Telematic Peal (orignal broadcast version) is brilliant.
Always loved a Film V4? is great, but I admit I like the "Maggie is a girl & I'm a big sister" version from the Lemonworld brodcast so much more.
Strumpet is fantastic, release it and don't change a thing.
Between Stars is good, but it doesn't feel finished.
Diamond Jigsaw is the only one I am not crazy about.
It just doesn't feel right. I know it is still W.I.P. so it may form up more.
Seeing it live, I did like Karl whaling away on the guitar in unison with the keyboard part. It sounded rough and raw. That was nice, very un-Underworld like. Only thing that even comes close to that heavy (for Underworld) guitar is Peggy Sussed, sort of.

I say keep doing what feels good to them. And let's face it, the majority of what feels good to them sounds great to us.

[qirex]

I don't think there ever was a change in direction. There has always been just one direction. Underworld is one of the very rare occurrences in music where I feel the music is constantly evolving and the audience as well right with the band. My favorite Underworld release is Oblivion with Bells and I've been listening to them since Trainspotting. I feel like they can do no wrong and one of the main reasons is that they absolutely love what they're doing, and it shows. I can't think of a single artist who shows more love and puts more effort into their craft. They're constantly creating and interacting. It's truly remarkable the connection they have with their fans (via uwlive.com/broadcasts/audio/video/facebook/twitter).

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

I wish they would use more percussian, or a least percussian sounding sounds things or something.

And not just a f-ing* cowbell, ANYBODY can play a f-ing* cowbell.



* Imagine Eddie Murphy type f-ing type shit. He practically got PAID for using it.


I don't really remember what song it was, and the thread is too long and I've read too many time, but the newest song played around BB, Karl's singing is great. Kinda sexy, but not like that, but girlfriends of mine have said that it is. My god, I can't ANYTHING about another man without the world thinking I want to do him. This sucks.(not like that)

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Look, I really like Juanita, Cowgirl, et al. But I really dig this new direction. I always thought that early Underworld (dubno era) was trying to reconsile their old New Wave sound with the burgeoning electronic movement. I always loved songs like Dark and Long which seemed rooted in New Wave but were very electronic. Cut to now, they seem to be going down the same road, with songs like Parc, Crocodile, Silver Boots, Between Stars, Strumpet, and so on. I love 'em all - I have the Japenese release with "Parc" on it and it's one of my all time favorite UW tunes, just brilliant. I also thought You Do Scribble was one of their finest. Plus the ambient stuff they've done lately is just transcendant - the entire Big Sister release, To Heal, and Moon in Water are all top of the line. As much as I liked AHDO it seemed for a while like a stylistic dead end and I'm glad they stepped in the right direction. I am a fanatic of a lot of groups but UW stands out because I really think they have the chance for something great here. So I guess I'm on the other side.

[geoff]

If Best Mamgu Ever isn't "intimate" enough for you, well ... something wrong with you. ;)

[Maethodik]

Youìre right. I really love best mamgu ever. I was talking about new works after OWB.
I hope you're right. I only feel the sensation that these tracks are less mature in sound.
I really, really hope that is only my problem. :)

[the mongoose]

I think that with Oblivion With Bells they made some great steps in the right direction; so if they really do release a happy 80's pop sing-song disco album I will be a bit bummed out actually. But I'll still check it out of course because I trust their musical judgement and usually there is a whole variety of different tunes on the LP. Although, Diamond Jigsaw is, in my opinion, taking the lyrics and synths almost into the embarrassing "gettting too old to be cool for the kids" territory..............of which songs like "Un---da---neath--tha--raaa-dar" never had to worry about back in the day when everyone was doing piles of cocaine and no one could compare it with all of the brilliant shit to come like Dirty Epic, Cowgirl, Sappys Curry, Blueski, etc. What might have been a good idea for a song on Change the Weather in the 80's is not going to gel as well with new or existing fans........ instead I would suggest they go with something more unique and personal kinda like Moon Under Water, Pecan Sandies, You Do Scribble, Food A Ready, Back in the Fears, and Between Stars.
Diamond Jigsaw is not a bad track in it's structure or execution, it's just not my taste in music really. To each his/her own.:)

[Dunwho]

I wish they would use more percussian, or a least percussian sounding sounds things or something.


Yea the percussion has really taken a backseat in what iver heard lately...

[BrotherLovesDub]

intricate percussion is something you work out in the studio. straight kicks are much easier to match and improvise around in the live setting. once rick gets his headphones on and starts getting deep in the machinery, you can guarantee the tracks are going to get progressively more intricate w/r/t percussion and atmospheric layers.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Nooooo Diamond Jigsaw is one of the best! I really hope it makes the next album, 80's synths and all! I don't see it as being anything like "Underneath the Radar", and even if it was, it is fine because that song ruled anyways!!

[the mongoose]

Nooooo Diamond Jigsaw is one of the best! I really hope it makes the next album, 80's synths and all! I don't see it as being anything like "Underneath the Radar", and even if it was, it is fine because that song ruled anyways!!


Actually what I was saying is that Underneath the Radar is just fine, as is Doot Doot and Lemon Interupt, because it was novel and unique for it's time. This new song sounds like something off of the Cocktails movie soundtrack mixed with a dash of Chariots of Fire. It is a bit catchy after a time or two, so hopefully they can tone it back a bit and still have a good track....I'm thinking something along the structure of 8Ball. I could handle that.;)

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Yea the percussion has really taken a backseat in what iver heard lately...

Oh shut up Miss Gram.rr.

[big screen satellite]

look Underworld have moved onwards... get over it

if we start with dubno, it was a dance classic of the 90's, but stiti was a change in direction and even more acclaimed, then we had ahdo and again it was different - those who loved the two previous albums dissed it because it was a change - owb was, well, i think Rick & Karl's own personal album of what they wanted to release for them... it was perfect for the time - and it stands well

now we're at a different stage - uw have so much stuff in the can that they can release what they like for who they like.

why not let them release a bunch of uplifting choons that have a happy feel - these new tracks and new direction are more 'band' than 'dance' group, sure they work well on the dance floor and that's where uw want to get back to, big happy dance tunes - they started out together 30 years ago in a proper band and why not get back to it - Karl is more than just a lyricalist - he's an acclaimed musician and was a pretty tidy singer back in uw mk I days... so let the boy sing and play

uw are not going to release Born Slippy II neither are they gonna make Juanita II, whatever you liked before, good - enjoy it, most have stood the tests of time and remain timeless classics but don't hanker after the old days, move on - this is where uw are at now - its quite possible that uw can release a bunch of chart(type) tracks alongside RRP type melodic music - they are clever chaps you know

i'm really looking forward to the new stuff - i'm especially looking forward to the worked up version of Diamond Jigsaw which i suspect will see a big release and daytime radio play - its that kind of tune - if it loses some fans here - it'll certainly attract some new converts elsewhere

there is no 'Underworld sound', the only constant really is Karl's vocals, everything else has moved along - even if it means going backwards with the sound to steal the 80's electro styles - hell, UW were there in the 80's its not like some of these young upstarts that weren't even born in the 80's release cod-80's electro crap - uw's TIME IS NOW

[Mike]

I agree with Matt, particularly about getting hung up on the real classics like Juanita etc. All the albums progressed, moved on etc and i still love listening to AHDO, OWB etc.. If anything, Rick used to always talk about getting a 'groove' back into the songs, and OWB demonstrates that perfectly - yeah it may not be easy listening, but theres some top quality material!

Did you mean Between Stars as the daytime radio potential release matt? it definatly seems the more commercial of the two, i really like it and i would be really proud as a fan if it got a release... miles more potential then TMO ever had and i really think it would give Born Slippy a run for its money in todays charts.

RRPs dont do it for me, i guess i always saw them as a B-Side collection, work in progress etc.. some really nice tracks, im not keen on the way the tracks are mixed i guess im a purist when it comes to releases ;)

[potatobroth]

Did you mean Between Stars as the daytime radio potential release matt? it definatly seems the more commercial of the two, i really like it and i would be really proud as a fan if it got a release...

I actually think Diamond Jigsaw has the mass appeal to it; its a wonderful track. I've actually played it for a few people at my job -- some who don't like dance persae -- and they've all loved it. One asked me 'which album' its on.

I said, "I don't know yet, but I'm sure I'll have it when it is."