New Underworld album - Barking (Sept. 13, Sept 2 Japan)

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I've said it once and I'll say it again: we're getting studio versions of both, so there's no reason to complain if you don't like what they did with a song. Just consider it a different track.


well we don't really know if that's true, "Strumpet Groove" to me sounds like a jam-type remix that may not even have vocals

though the versions on the live here now discs are pretty pristine anyway

[Sappys Curry]

I suspect that Strumpet Groove will have vocals. I sure hope it does. The vocals are key to its groove, if you ask me.

Bird 1 is good. I downloaded it, and listened to it just a while ago, and it was better than I thought it would be (the samples were fine, but hearing the whole thing was definitely more impressive). Really good album opener. I really like Bird 1. It is funny, I got a bit giddy and quite excited as the song played. From the start of the song to the end I had a big smile on my face. I must've looked like such a dork. :D

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

i've felt the same way through Scribble and ALAF...I have the feeling a lot of the pickier UW fans are not gonna like this, but I'm kinda feeling this could be better than Beacoup Fish, maybe even the first two? I dunno...it's a totally different groove, but there's something to be said for really great pop music

[Sappys Curry]

I love Dubnobass and STITI. They are in my top 3 for favorite albums of any genre. I don't think Barking will ever be favored over those two for me personally, but I'm not expecting such a thing. I'm just expecting it to be another really good album from UW, and it seems like they will deliver again. :)

How will it compare to BF, AHDO, and OWB? I don't know, but it has the potential to be better than OWB, maybe even BF. AHDO is good, but my least favorite album of theirs. I think BF edges out OWB for me, but just a little. Barking will be "competing" with those two albums, I'm suspecting.

I haven't put too much thought into how it'll compare to the other UW albums, though. I anticipate its release, and I know I'll be happy with it. Maybe it'll be better than I expect, too. And what is really exciting is CD 2 of the box set. To get not just a new UW album, but an alternate album too? That is awesome. It is like getting two new albums from them on the same release date. :D

[King of Snake]

well so far I like Scribble, ALAF is decent although I really preferred the Silver Boots version, but this (for me) is definitely worse than the original tune they've played live. If this is what Dubfire brought to the table, loads of tinny hihats, annoying synth-plops, a couple of swishes and random melodies, then I'm not impressed.

[jose m]

why can't we get bespoke albums?
rick and karl could ask us what we like and tailor the next album to our exact requirements.
....but they can't be bothered,the sleeve artworks gone to shit,they haven't played america for years (well not properly),the shows are all the same now and what about those remixes and the fucking guests on the album.i'm not even gonna buy the new album in protest ! :mad:

[TheBang]

Well, I'm going to assume there's a lot of hyperbole in that post.

I do think UW are giving us what we asked for though. In the Limited Edition. The 2nd disc is pretty much what the die-hards wanted, both before the album was announced and after. Before the album, people were asking for those tracks to be released as we'd heard them in their various forms. After the album, people were bemoaning the collaborations and wanting the Underworld "originals". UW probably foresaw this, thus the bonus disc. I think it satisfies most of the die-hards' wishes, except, perhaps, for more versions of ALAF (a missed opportunity for the ALAF single?).

There is the issue of the somewhat high price of the Limited Edition, but the moanings been kind of minimal on that, and fans HAVE been saying for years that they'd pay the band good money for the tracks, so I think it's time to put up or shut up. Also, it IS a limited run, and hopefully will be high quality too with the photobook and packaging and all.

No comment on the artwork. Playing America? Reality is what it is. I just hope more dates are announced soon. Gotta make plans.

Live shows the same? I understand the reasoning (I guess). It's just not what we've come to expect and love of Underworld Live. The same set twice in a row? Many times in a row? So long as they're confined to festival shows, however, I think I can live with that. I just hope they remember that it's the die-hard fans coming to their headlining individual shows, and play accordingly.

Crap remixes? Well, you can't always have everything you want, can you?

[purlieu]

I've given up on the singles these days, the amount of b-sides/Underworld mixes from Push Upstairs onwards is enough to knock together an EP and I've kind of given up on them putting out a Dark + Long/Pearl's Girl type EP again. Just expecting a release of crap remixes and hoping we at least get a good video out of it.

[ExtraLongAndDark]

I've given up on the singles these days, the amount of b-sides/Underworld mixes from Push Upstairs onwards is enough to knock together an EP and I've kind of given up on them putting out a Dark + Long/Pearl's Girl type EP again. Just expecting a release of crap remixes and hoping we at least get a good video out of it.

Haven't you read the post above, disc 2 of the release 4 sure will have the real stuff we want to hear, although im looking forward to the collaberations.

Im not an PvD-fan [i would have sent my stuff to Carl Craig or Hawtin instead], but if the songs "sucks" there is always the original :D ...

[Jason Roth]

Ok guys, if you have an iTunes Japan account, you can buy the album right now. Even though it says "September 2nd, 2010."

[saintrik]

Ok guys, if you have an iTunes Japan account, you can buy the album right now. Even though it says "September 2nd, 2010."

And here we go... :)

[BrotherLovesDub]

Barking is the best album since STITI.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

cool...get you get it already??

[tokyorai]

Tempting but will wait to get the hardcopy tomorrow :)

And here we go... :)

[TheBang]

30-second video previews are available for all 9 films on iTunes Store Japan. You have to switch your store to Japan first (click the flag in the bottom-right corner).

Then, search for Underworld and then click "See All" for the "Music Videos" section.

So far, I have to say, "Diamond Jigsaw" WTF??

[Jason Roth]

"Diamond Jigsaw" WTF??

Steve hates it.

I kinda like it.

[tokyorai]

Is it possible to download just CD 2 off of ITunes? The reason I ask is that I plan to buy the Japan release of the CD. I see HMV and Tower selling the Ltd edition set but it of course doesn't have the bonus track on there so it makes more sense to buy the Japan release CD or buy the Ltd Set and hope I can download the bonus track off Itunes Japan...

First time I had to put this much thought in to just buying music...

[Jason Roth]

Barking is the best album since STITI.

We get it. You hate BF.

;)

[TheBang]

Is it possible to download just CD 2 off of ITunes?
CD2 is not going to be available digitally. It's in the Limited Edition Box Set only. Also, Japan is not getting the Limited Edition box set. It would have to be an import there. See here for more ordering options:

http://www.darktrain.org/dirty/forums/showthread.php?t=16960

[the mongoose]

Ok guys, if you have an iTunes Japan account, you can buy the album right now. Even though it says "September 2nd, 2010."


FUCKING JAPAN!!!!:mad::mad::mad::p:mad:

[saintrik]

30-second video previews are available for all 9 films on iTunes Store Japan.

The videos seem really promising... Louisiana video FTW.

When's the Blu-Ray available?

[tokyorai]

Thanks mate. Yeah, they will be selling the import here but a few days lagged after the release abroad. I guess I will just buy that and get the bonus track digitally...seems to make the most sense. choices, choices...


CD2 is not going to be available digitally. It's in the Limited Edition Box Set only. Also, Japan is not getting the Limited Edition box set. It would have to be an import there. See here for more ordering options:

http://www.darktrain.org/dirty/forums/showthread.php?t=16960

[TheBang]

Favorite videos so far:

Diamond Jigsaw, for the WTFness
Louisana, for the awesome stylized surrealism
Bird 1, like the time-lapse

Want to see more of:

Moon in Water

[the mongoose]

I'm not able to figure out how to switch stores to JP to watch the videos....it's all in asian symbols and characters on itunes japan website. This sucks. :D

[TheBang]

Within iTunes application, click the circle flag in the bottom-right corner.

Oh yeah, there's also a 30-second preview of "You Do Scribble (Abbey Road Version)" on iTunes JP.

[tokyorai]

I live here and think the same because of those concert tickets selling out so fast! The "bungalow with stairs" CD is keeping me content until I can get "barking"

FUCKING JAPAN!!!!:mad::mad::mad::p:mad:

[the mongoose]

Within iTunes application, click the circle flag in the bottom-right corner.

Oh yeah, there's also a 30-second preview of "You Do Scribble (Abbey Road Version)" on iTunes JP.


Cool thanks, got it to work. Video previews are interesting, but WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MOON IN WATER?!? The full track better have more of the original "lyrics" damnit!

"manifest" x 50
"...does not wait to cast its reflection" x 50
:confused::(:confused:

[purlieu]

Haven't you read the post above, disc 2 of the release 4 sure will have the real stuff we want to hear, although im looking forward to the collaberations.

Im not an PvD-fan [i would have sent my stuff to Carl Craig or Hawtin instead], but if the songs "sucks" there is always the original :D ...

I know, I'm just referring to the discussion on singles that vaguely kicked off. Remixes for b-sides rather than new tracks. Meh.

I've still only heard radio edits of ALAF and Scribble. Holding out for the release, especially considering it's such a short album.

[big screen satellite]

new album is 8.5/10

superb

end of post

[Professor]

9.5.5

absolutely amazing. I'm so glad I ordered the box....

[ThingInABook]

i'm absolutely loving it. it's all banging, no fuss. HATERS GONNA HATE ;)

moon in water is lovely and DJ is quite a surprise!!

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

glad to know you guys like it :) any track by track reviews??? anything for those of us who have to hold out 2 more weeks?

[dubman]

i like this album. it feels good as a whole and the four track run in the middle is just great.
but if i had higher expectations i think i'd have more to say. theres lots of crap running around. some of it gets in the way, some of it doesnt. overall they balance each other out and i'm happy enough with the big picture. i no longer feel like i'm as big a chump to pay that much for an alternate disc, which will be even better than this.

considering the variety in sounds i think all the videos put together should be interesting too

6.5,

worst one yet but not a tragedy and more about preferences rather than just being outright shitty.

[grady]

I'm quite pleased with things so far and also quite happy that I placed an order for the larger bonus package which is now sold out. Over the past few months I had some trepidation about where things were headed, but wanted to wait to hear things proper.

That second disc plus the videos has me more intrigued now.

[Sappys Curry]

6.5,

worst one yet but not a tragedy and more about preferences rather than just being outright shitty.


You rate AHDO over it? I do like AHDO, but from what I've heard, I believe Barking will be better than AHDO for me. AHDO is my least favorite album from them, and I know many other dirts would rank it last. I'd probably give AHDO 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5. No less than 3 stars. Somewhere around there.


I'm quite pleased with things so far and also quite happy that I placed an order for the larger bonus package which is now sold out. Over the past few months I had some trepidation about where things were headed, but wanted to wait to hear things proper.

That second disc plus the videos has me more intrigued now.

I'm glad I preordered the boxset, too. I think I'll like the alternate album more than the regular album, but I'm sure I'll like the regular album, too. I will have the JP album with Simple Peal, too. The box set and JP album are alot of money together, but I had $45 sitting in my paypal account to begin with (was there for many months), so adding funds to that for the box set and spending money on the import, it was (in a way) only like spending $70 for both the box set and JP album (which is how much it costs a U.S. citizen to get the box set alone). Gah, kind of convoluted, but I think many will understand what I'm saying.

Now to find a way of getting the Abbey Road version of You Do Scribble. I'm not buying the album a third time! :eek:

[BrotherLovesDub]

This album proves at least 2 things.

1 - Karl Hyde is a great lyricist.
2 - Paul Van Dyk and Ramirez/Knight make the most boring, tedious drum tracks with no variation and no character.

[the-star-samurai]

Oh man oh man, these reviews are making me REALLY excited. I was too late to buy a boxset on UWLive, but waiting on the Om Records shop to have it available so that I can purchase it.

...or at least get my parents to buy it because I still haven't gotten my paycheck from work and I only have $30+ at the moment. *very impatient*

[dubman]

You rate AHDO over it? I do like AHDO, but from what I've heard, I believe Barking will be better than AHDO for me. AHDO is my least favorite album from them, and I know many other dirts would rank it last. I'd probably give AHDO 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5. No less than 3 stars. Somewhere around there.


You're right actually, AHDO hasn't aged well. Luetin is better than anything on here, but as bad as it gets, there isn't a 'trim'

Close, tho

[starfox203]

Seems we've sprung a leak.

[potatobroth]

8+

[potatobroth]

Whoever said that Bird 1 ruined the string of great Underworld openers needs a sanity check :P - LOVE. IT.

[Buji]

Between Stars is incredible! :)

[Dirty0900]

Can anyone PM a link to a leak?

Box is ordered. Sounding very promising.

[MN-Jeff]

Seems we've sprung a leak.

haha, yeah, but it was bound to happen sooner or later, everybody that is downloading it is a fan that has already bought it/order it anyway, so not much harm in that.

[the mongoose]

Just got back from Japan! Long trip, but worth it to hear the album on release date (but boy are my feet tired lol).

Initial reaction to it I'd say probably:
8.6 without Simple Peel, 9.0 with Simple Peel

[tokyorai]

please tell me you went to Karl Hyde's exhibit and got the Bungalow with Stairs CD too! Hope you had a good time in Japan...pretty hot right??:cool:

Just got back from Japan! Long trip, but worth it to hear the album on release date (but boy are my feet tired lol).

Initial reaction to it I'd say probably:
8.6 without Simple Peel, 9.0 with Simple Peel

[potatobroth]

Simple Peal has been Simply Skipped so far for me. Its nice, but its interfering with the awesomeness that is, Barking.

[starfox203]

Simple Peal is a nice ambient add on, but it's just that an ambient add on. Doesn't really add anything to the album.

[starfox203]

Louisiana is a perplexing add on too. After so much raving about, it's an odd transition to a piano ballad.

[potatobroth]

i really loved Louisianna. nice wind down track.

[the mongoose]

Simple Peel is the direct spiritual successor to Tongue.:cool:

Hata's gon hate!:D

[Sappys Curry]

You're right actually, AHDO hasn't aged well. Luetin is better than anything on here, but as bad as it gets, there isn't a 'trim'

Close, tho

I'm not sure if you are saying you like or dislike Trim, but I rather like Trim myself.

[TheBang]

After a few listens, IMO, Diamond Jigsaw, Moon in Water, and Louisiana make up the best closing trifecta. I could play that section on repeat for quite a while. I don't get the hate some have expressed for Louisiana.

I would say Diamond Jigsaw is the most improved collaboration track. Just turn that one up loud and rock out!

I feel Between Stars is probably the biggest disappointment. I haven't quite put my finger on what it is yet, but something has changed it for the worse, and I feel it's a much less powerful track for it. I think that I'm probably going to like the original better than this version.

[MN-Jeff]

The only songs I don't absolutely love are "Hamburg Hotel" and "Grace". And I like those songs, I just love everything else even better.

"Between Stars" is awesome
"Moon In The Water" - are they STILL using Juanita's voice for samples? Good gravy, I hope she's getting royalty checks for this. Oh and the song is very awesome.
Love, love, love, the closer "Louisiana". This album is superb.

[Sappys Curry]

Well, I got a hold of the leak. I put it on my iPod. Then I did the craziest thing. I took it off my iPod. The JP album I ordered should arrive in the next few days. I feel it'll be more rewarding to wait for the album to arrive at my door then listen to the leak.

I checked out a bit of Louisiana and Simple Peal. Simple Peal is like the Simple Peal 1 track that they put on a broadcast. I think I'll alter its placement. I want Louisiana to stay as a closing track. I think I'll put Simple Peal in between Moon in Water and Louisiana. Perhaps, instead, I think for my music library in iTunes and for my iPod, I'll have Barking in my playlists section, as well as the alternate album of Barking (CD 2), and the JP version of Barking, with Simple Peal and YDS ARV. I'll have Barking with the 9 tracks UW intended, and a version of Barking with 11 tracks (the JP bonus track and the iTunes bonus track).

I wish that Are You Rockstar? made it onto Barking; at the least in the form of an iTunes bonus track.

Edit: I was tempted to just put it on my iPod again and listen to it tonight anyway. :p But I did an order tracking of the album, and it left Tokyo on September 1st and made it to JFK airport on September 1st. Woot! That is in NY, only a few states away from me. This should come in the mail in less than 24 hours. I'll wait for it to arrive at my home. This is wicked sweet. :D Then I'll have the box set coming in the middle of the month. :)

[the mongoose]

Haz anyone gots a spare Abby Road laying around somewheres??:rolleyes::rolleyes:;)

[the mongoose]

I don't absolutely love "Hamburg Hotel"

How many times have you heard it? First couple of times it seemed like disposable fodder (a la Cuddle Bunny vs. Celtic Villagers); but after listening to it after working out, in the hot sauna with headphones on.....WOW! All the odd beats and parts really clicked into place and surprised me (like when the muted tuba sounding bass goes "wAAAooooouuuuuuUUUUooooWWHH" @ 3:32). Closest thing to Jazz Music I've ever liked actually.:p

[Dirty Canuck]

Am I crazy or does "Hamburg Hotel" sound like the closest thing to 90s UW that we've had in years?

Oh, and love the new album. Can't wait to hear the alternates. :D

[holden]

Glad everyone's digging this. I'm holding out for the Lim. Ed. arrival in a couple weeks. I've heard some samples and of course live versions, but am eagerly anticipating hearing the Cd quality version full through, holding the artwork in hand, just the experience of the physical thing.

By the by, AHDO has aged just fine for me. I got into Underworld in a big way in 2001-02, so AHDO was their first new record that i was waiting for, bought the first day, played endlessly. So i have a lot of strong emotions with it. OWB tour was the first time i saw the band (NYC, 9/2007), but the album is a bit bleh for me...seems over-produced somehow.

But i love all the records for various reasons. From what i've heard, i think Barking will be soundtracking my autumn for sure!

[Sappys Curry]

Am I crazy or does "Hamburg Hotel" sound like the closest thing to 90s UW that we've had in years?

Oh, and love the new album. Can't wait to hear the alternates. :D


I haven't heard it all the way through yet, but Parc sounds like 90s UW to me, and that is a 2008 release.


@Holden: I love all their albums, too. Even if I wouldn't give 5 stars outta 5 for all of them, I love all their albums nonetheless (I do give 5 stars to Dubnobass and STITI, though).

[Dirty Canuck]

[QUOTE=Sappys Curry;143700]I haven't heard it all the way through yet, but Parc sounds like 90s UW to me, and that is a 2008 release.


Yeah I hear you, but what I mean though is Hamburg Hotel is quite free-form. The same kind of vibe I felt off an old JBO 12" if you catch my drift.

[Sappys Curry]

[QUOTE=Sappys Curry;143700]I haven't heard it all the way through yet, but Parc sounds like 90s UW to me, and that is a 2008 release.


Yeah I hear you, but what I mean though is Hamburg Hotel is quite free-form. The same kind of vibe I felt off an old JBO 12" if you catch my drift.


JBO 12". I know quite a lot about UW (I'm a diehard fan but several dirts here beat me :p), but I'm not familiar with this JBO 12". Can you please elaborate or even give a link with info (if you could, please)?

[TheBang]

JBO (Junior Boys' Own) was their first record label. Lots of 12" releases in the beginning. Dirty/Minniapolis, Rez, Spikee/Dogman Go Woof, Mmm Skyscraper, etc.

[joethelion]

JBO (Junior Boys' Own) was their first record label. Lots of 12" releases in the beginning. Dirty/Minniapolis, Rez, Spikee/Dogman Go Woof, Mmm Skyscraper, etc.


yea - I think he just meant - the 'vibe' he got from the old JBO releases...

I found a leak and was able to download it overnight... going to have a great day walking around Glasgow listening to the new album!!!!

[darktrain]

I feel Between Stars is probably the biggest disappointment. I haven't quite put my finger on what it is yet, but something has changed it for the worse, and I feel it's a much less powerful track for it. I think that I'm probably going to like the original better than this version.

Seconded. I love the song, but it feels "buried" somehow. The vocals especially should be imho clear and free of the echo/tunnel effect that's present. Maybe I'm just too used to the live versions, but the song sounds like it's struggling to be heard.

[Flywaver]

Couple of questions. Any tracks that merge on the album? Is Simple Peel longer than 4.31?as thats the one i have.

[Dino3D]

Am I the only one who haven't heard the album yet? :D

(I only heard a snippet of Grace weeks before)

I wait for the physical one for the full experience.

[the mongoose]

Couple of questions. Any tracks that merge on the album? Is Simple Peel longer than 4.31?as thats the one i have.


No merging tracks. Right length for Simple Peel (and no song on album is longer than 6-7 minutes).

[TheBang]

Seconded. I love the song, but it feels "buried" somehow. The vocals especially should be imho clear and free of the echo/tunnel effect that's present. Maybe I'm just too used to the live versions, but the song sounds like it's struggling to be heard.
Yeah, I think you've hit the nail on the head here. Karl's vocals were very strong element of the original, and they've a lot less impact with all the processing. A lot of other parts of song now feel over-processed also.

Is Simple Peel longer than 4.31?as thats the one i have.
It's exactly the same version that's been floating around (as posted on underworldlive.com, for example).

[ThingInABook]

anyone knows if the songs in the album version (physical) will have transitions between songs? i'm not a big fan of fades in u/w songs...

besides that, between stars and diamond jigsaw are my fav tracks right now. they have a new order feel, but with bigger bass and loads of intensity.

[testudo]

No merging tracks. Right length for Simple Peel (and no song on album is longer than 6-7 minutes).

Scribble merges/fades into Hamburg Hotel

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I can't really judge the album until I hear the second disc. Obviously most of these tracks have been worked on quite a bit, which means a lot was dropped, some of which I really do miss. But if they're on the second disc I can't really complain about what "could have been".

That said, I tried to listen to it imagining I had not heard any of the other tracks before, and I feel like it's quite good, and maybe their best since STITI. I do wish some of these tunes were a bit longer though. "Hamburg Hotel" specifically. That one has a great 90's UW vibe and I wish they took it further. It's too good of an album to "only" be 50 minutes.

I did like "Diamond Jigsaw" a lot. I hate to say this but PVD was absolutely the right choice for this track. The synths were my favorite part and I wish they stayed...that said if they are on the second disc I can't really complain, because the guitars sound good too.

I like how this album brings every era of UW together, even the Underneath the Radar/Change the Weather era...really!! Just wish it was longer! They could have expanded "Hamburg Hotel" a ways, maybe added "Bamboo"...I don't know, just hate when it ends :( I did order the double vinyl, how is that going to work? Like 12-13 minutes a side?

I'll need time to see how, ultimately, this ranks among the other UW albums, but suffice to say this is the most excited I've ever been for a new release since I got into them in 98. Just sayin'...

[bazwint]

I'm glad PvD is getting some love. Karl dedicated DS to him in Paris on Friday.

[bazwint]

DS

?? Sorry... "DJ" :)

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

I haven't heard it all the way through yet, but Parc sounds like 90s UW to me, and that is a 2008 release.


It sounds like 80's Underworld to me. Much better than anything they released then, but kinda had that vibe.

[Sappys Curry]

I received the JP album today. The HMV price was high, but that was because it included express shipping. I did order tracking. On September 1st it was in Tokyo. Later that day, it was in NYC. At 7:10 AM Eastern Time I got a phone call and was told that it was at my local post office! :eek::cool: I picked it up a little while ago and then put Barking on my hard drive and iPod (Apple Lossless; that is how I have all of UWs albums).

I've yet to listen to it. I figured I'd check out the dirty forums first since I was already on the computer. :D Gonna listen to it soon. :cool:

[Champiness]

Holding out on hearing the actual album, but the Abbey Road version of YDS sounds great! A lot like the original, but with a few differences that make it sound more "studio"-ish. I can only imagine what the Disc 2 one will sound like!

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Champ - does it have the vocals? I do have one "studio" version of YDS that was played on a broadcast, and it was neat, but it didn't have the vocal that I liked so much...and this one??

[BrotherLovesDub]

No vocals on YDS Abbey Road

[Professor]

This is the best work I've heard from Underworld in a long time. Every track on Barking has its space on the album, and the whole damn thing makes me smile. I was just talking to BLD about how different people's reactions have been to it.... which totally surprises me, and also makes total sense. Barking to me, is both very mature, lyrically and musically, and also somewhat juvenile as well....a little hookey and catchy. It's both very smart and completely appealing to the lowest common denominating musical taste at the same time. I can see why it starts arguments.... great art usually does. There is such an evolution here musically for them... this album isn't really dark. It's not Dark and Long... it's ok.

Think of Doot Doot.... I think that song is just fantastic. Sure, it's poppy, and from a different decade...but it has staying power. Grace reminds me of this. So does Bird 1. So does Louisiana... in fact Louisiana is also a stand out track....and one that is getting severe polar reactions. It's so personal; I think if you are patient with this song, you might gain some insight into the artist. That's rare.

Diamond Jigsaw continues to make me giggle. No shit. I was on the bus and I just started giggling to myself... It's such a good song, and such a huge surprise. I was prepared to not like it. Any PVD essence is forgiven--in my opinion.

Anyway, that's my 2c.

[potatobroth]

I find myself singing along with every single lyric'd track! love it!

[big screen satellite]

This is the best work I've heard from Underworld in a long time. Every track on Barking has its space on the album, and the whole damn thing makes me smile. I was just talking to BLD about how different people's reactions have been to it.... which totally surprises me, and also makes total sense. Barking to me, is both very mature, lyrically and musically, and also somewhat juvenile as well....a little hookey and catchy. It's both very smart and completely appealing to the lowest common denominating musical taste at the same time. I can see why it starts arguments.... great art usually does. There is such an evolution here musically for them... this album isn't really dark. It's not Dark and Long... it's ok.

Think of Doot Doot.... I think that song is just fantastic. Sure, it's poppy, and from a different decade...but it has staying power. Grace reminds me of this. So does Bird 1. So does Louisiana... in fact Louisiana is also a stand out track....and one that is getting severe polar reactions. It's so personal; I think if you are patient with this song, you might gain some insight into the artist. That's rare.

Diamond Jigsaw continues to make me giggle. No shit. I was on the bus and I just started giggling to myself... It's such a good song, and such a huge surprise. I was prepared to not like it. Any PVD essence is forgiven--in my opinion.

Anyway, that's my 2c.

i love you prof :)

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

i love you prof :)

http://imgur.com/IHcZj.jpg

[dubman]

and completely appealing to the lowest common denominating musical taste at the same time.

lol

[Eikman]

awful. worst album since their freur times.

"louisiana" and "simple peal" are the best tracks, if i had to pick any.

"diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever.

[testudo]

awful. worst album since their freur times.

"louisiana" and "simple peal" are the best tracks, if i had to pick any.

"diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever.

http://s52.radikal.ru/i137/1009/1c/0f132cc807f7.jpg

[the mongoose]

http://i56.tinypic.com/201b1e.png

[jose m]

awful. worst album since their freur times.

"louisiana" and "simple peal" are the best tracks, if i had to pick any.

"diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever.



yawn......

[Dino3D]

Where can I listen to Simple Peal?

EDIT: I found it. :)

[Dino3D]

Simple Peal is very empty. It's not like a track, it's more like just sounds.

[Eikman]

yawn......

so....you're replying to every post of mine now? that should be fun!

[jose m]

so....you're replying to every post of mine now? that should be fun!


you've been gone so long.....i'm trying to keep you here !
am i going about it the wrong way ?

[BrotherLovesDub]

Just tell Eikman that you've got Magda and Ada doing remixes of Grace for b-sides on the upcoming singles and his boner will keep him pointed at this forum, furiously clicking refresh.

[BrotherLovesDub]

awful. worst album since their freur times.

"louisiana" and "simple peal" are the best tracks, if i had to pick any.

"diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever.

I do find this pretty shocking considering you're on another thread praising Thievery Corporation. It seems bland, pop bullshit would be your thing. Also pretty hilarious to read about other complainers of this album praising the likes of Moby and Groove Armada. Talk about boring poppy dreck. Make up your minds folks. Either you like generic bullshit (Moby, Thievery Corp, Groove Armada, Barking?) or you don't.

[big screen satellite]

I do find this pretty shocking considering you're on another thread praising Thievery Corporation. It seems bland, pop bullshit would be your thing. Also pretty hilarious to read about other complainers about this album praising the likes of Moby and Groove Armada. Talk about boring poppy dreck. Make up you minds folks. Either you like generic bullshit (Moby, Thievery Corp, Groove Armada, Barking?) or you don't.

thing is - this album is generic within itself, but who else out there sounds like UW ??? even the 'Barking' UW

its still unmistakable UW, with a new twist for a popular auidence

[Eikman]

I do find this pretty shocking considering you're on another thread praising Thievery Corporation. It seems bland, pop bullshit would be your thing. Also pretty hilarious to read about other complainers of this album praising the likes of Moby and Groove Armada. Talk about boring poppy dreck. Make up your minds folks. Either you like generic bullshit (Moby, Thievery Corp, Groove Armada, Barking?) or you don't.

amazing that recommending an album to someone who asked is considered "praising" in your book. and if like poppy bullshit....wouldn't i also like the new UW?

[BrotherLovesDub]

that's what confused me. you liked a boring, generic Thievery Corp album enough to recommend it but had nothing positive to say about Barking. Just baffled.

[Sappys Curry]

Simple Peal is very empty. It's not like a track, it's more like just sounds.

I love Simple Peal. It is a great ambient song. Although as some stated, not a good choice for a bonus track for Barking.

This thread is turning a little bit ugly. o.o Can't we all just get along?

[Eikman]

that's what confused me. you liked a boring, generic Thievery Corp album enough to recommend it but had nothing positive to say about Barking. Just baffled.

well....i like the title. satisfied?

[dubman]

I do find this pretty shocking considering you're on another thread praising Thievery Corporation. It seems bland, pop bullshit would be your thing. Also pretty hilarious to read about other complainers of this album praising the likes of Moby and Groove Armada. Talk about boring poppy dreck. Make up your minds folks. Either you like generic bullshit (Moby, Thievery Corp, Groove Armada, Barking?) or you don't.
why do you need to do this so much

you dont "find it shocking", you just want to construct a diss because people in complete disagreement need to not be credible. it's just an album, stop being so poisonous about it.

[Cadevil]

Make up your minds folks. Either you like generic bullshit (Moby, Thievery Corp, Groove Armada, Barking?) or you don't.

Yeah, I find this statement pretty ridiculous. I mean I don't find the chemical brothers current brand of music all that interesting... Does that mean I can't like Barking because underworld is the same genre of music?

It's okay if some people don't love this release.

[BrotherLovesDub]

I just find it bizarre that someone can like Thievery Corp but think Barking sounds generic and boring.

you didn't find these comments poisonous?

"awful. worst album since their freur times."
""diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever."

Those are clearly aimed at the pop sound of Barking. What I found bizarre was the rejection of Barking for being too pop while simultaneously recommending an album that is almost too bland to be played at Starbucks.

[Cadevil]

Some people like Britney Spears and Beyonce...others like Britney Spears or Beyonce.

[Eikman]

and you know what...i actually like the first two High Contrast albums and yet i really don't like "scribble". although someone might say it could very well be found on them.

yes, maybe that is bizarre but that's the way it is.

and again: someone asked about thievery corporation albums and i told him which one i like the most. i didn't say that i love it to death nor that it is the greatest album ever.

however, i still think "barking" may be the worst UW album ever. i wasn't too fond of OWB either, but at least it had some sort of personality. this one sounds way too overproduced (if that is actually a word).

[BrotherLovesDub]

I agree, it is a bit overproduced. Still like the songs.

[dubman]

you didn't find these comments poisonous?

"awful. worst album since their freur times."
""diamond jigsaw" and "scribble" easily rank among the worst tracks from my favourite bands ever."


it's vehement but it's not trying to insinuate that those who dont agree have got these ridiculous inconsistencies

[Eikman]

i first listened to the new album on my way to work the other day.

when i first head "bird 1" i thought "hey, this isn't half bad. sure, that laser-gun-whatsoever-sound is a bit boring after five minutes, but it works."

then we're on to "always loved a film". it kinda took me by surprise, but not in a bad way. that is, until about 2:20 in....then the whole "heaven heaven heaven" part kicks in and i feel like i'm in summer camp of the catholic church with a bunch of drug-fueled tranceheads dancing around me with white gloves. yes, some might call it uplifting. i call it embarrasing. i actually turned down the volume on my ipod. from this moment on it sorta went downwards for me.

"scribble"....i skipped that, since i already knew it was crap.

"hamburg hotel" is interesting, but it feels like they could have made more out of it. appears to be a bit misplaced.

the part between "grace" and "diamond jigsaw" is the worst of the album. annoying stadium rock synths, annoying lyrics, annoying everything. kill it with (dub)fire!

the last three tracks are alright. sure, "simple peal" isn't much of anything, but UW were always good at producing nice ambient textures. and by now i really enjoy "lousiana". funny enough, those last few tracks were produced by UW on their own. go figure.

in the end, if you have 60 minutes of music and only enjoy about 15 minutes of it, it is a bit...uhm...unsatisfying? hence my rating.

[Sappys Curry]

I wish UW tried to make a pop album on their own, instead of collaborating on 8 of the 9 tracks. I respect that they wanted to make this album be full of collaborations, but that is part of the reason why I'm not too impressed with this release. I want pure, unadulterated Underworld with an UW album. But I do respect that this is what Rick and Karl wanted.

That being said, I look forward to the box set I ordered with CD 2. It'll be interesting getting more into the main album and then having an alternate version of the album to compare it to. I already know I'm going to take my favorite versions of songs from each disc and make a playlist out of it on my iPod. :p Of course I'll have the album proper on there to listen to, and CD 2 on there to listen to, as well.

I mentioned the songs I'm not too impressed with, but I rather like the other tracks. I do think I will like Strumpet Groove more than Bird 1. Bird 1 is for the most part good, but I do dislike the addition of those "synth plops" as someone on these boards called them.

This may end up being my least favoriite Underworld album, but I still like most of its tracks. I feel it is still a solid release from them. (I'm only counting their albums that fall in the Electronic music genre; regardless, I'd still put this above their MK I albums)

[stimpee]

It's okay if some people don't love this release.you've hit the nail on the head there. it IS okay. no need to attack the people who arent liking it very much.

[jose m]

i first listened to the new album on my way to work the other day.

when i first head "bird 1" i thought "hey, this isn't half bad. sure, that laser-gun-whatsoever-sound is a bit boring after five minutes, but it works."

then we're on to "always loved a film". it kinda took me by surprise, but not in a bad way. that is, until about 2:20 in....then the whole "heaven heaven heaven" part kicks in and i feel like i'm in summer camp of the catholic church with a bunch of drug-fueled tranceheads dancing around me with white gloves. yes, some might call it uplifting. i call it embarrasing. i actually turned down the volume on my ipod. from this moment on it sorta went downwards for me.

"scribble"....i skipped that, since i already knew it was crap.

"hamburg hotel" is interesting, but it feels like they could have made more out of it. appears to be a bit misplaced.

the part between "grace" and "diamond jigsaw" is the worst of the album. annoying stadium rock synths, annoying lyrics, annoying everything. kill it with (dub)fire!

the last three tracks are alright. sure, "simple peal" isn't much of anything, but UW were always good at producing nice ambient textures. and by now i really enjoy "lousiana". funny enough, those last few tracks were produced by UW on their own. go figure.

in the end, if you have 60 minutes of music and only enjoy about 15 minutes of it, it is a bit...uhm...unsatisfying? hence my rating.


i don't post here anymore but i've just come back to say the berlin gig is shit and the albums no good.
you then listen again and try and back up whats you said.
why bother?

[Scott Warner]

Just thought I'd drop in to say that this is a really fun record. I'm really enjoying most of it. The only two tracks I can do without are "Diamond Jigsaw" and "Louisiana" - the rest is big, over-the-top dance anthem stuff in the spirit of great Underworld tracks of yore.

It's certainly a pop record but so are most of their recognizable tunes quite frankly; there is a reason this band has been popular and not just one of the thousands of anonymous dudes out there stamping out dj tools. It's the blend between all of their pop, dance and other influences that has produced all of this memorable stuff.

Thumbs up. Don't like the title of the album much but the songs are just fine. ;)

Love the work done on the limited box set - it's a great object.

[bas_I_am]

Thumbs up. Don't like the title of the album much . . .

http://www.mycampage.com/barking

[Eikman]

i don't post here anymore but i've just come back to say the berlin gig is shit and the albums no good.
you then listen again and try and back up whats you said.
why bother?

just to rattle your cage, mate.

[Professor]

who's rattling who?


If i'm going to ever listen to...and I mean, really, if there EVER was a time I'd listen to ---stadiumrockelectronicpopsong stuff... I wholeheartedly hope and wish it would be Underworld playing it.

I love them for who they are now... not for who they used to be.

[purlieu]

So, this is out next week, when do we reckon the pre-orders from UWlive will be arriving? This week at some point?

[whatmakesustick]

Well I am hoping they stick them all in the post on Saturday, first class delivery so that we get them on Monday.....but suspect it will be the middle of the week at the earliest. I thought I was being cool by waiting for the physical release, but having been reading these posts about the album / singles for so long, I feel like everyone will be taking about the next record before I even hear this one!!!!

[rayray]

listening on the myspace mp3 release - so far my initial reaction to the tracks is "top quality" way to go karl and rick - waiting for the physical release is better now.

[rayray]

they're coming to NYC!!!!! so there!

Underworld
Roseland Ballroom
New York, NY
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 07:00 PM

btw - it's quit possible that I'm the only one on here who did not know this by now : )

[Sappys Curry]

they're coming to NYC!!!!! so there!

Underworld
Roseland Ballroom
New York, NY
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 07:00 PM

btw - it's quit possible that I'm the only one on here who did not know this by now : )

Does anyone know if they will play in Boston sometime soon? Boston is like an hour away from me, and NYC is over 4 hours away from me.

[whatmakesustick]

Any else body here waiting for the physical release to arrive before listening to Barking. I have a feeling that I am the only person that reads these boards that has not heard it yet (especially since it is now available on myspace)?!?!

[Dino3D]

Any else body here waiting for the physical release to arrive before listening to Barking. I have a feeling that I am the only person that reads these boards that has not heard it yet (especially since it is now available on myspace)?!?!


Me too, as I mentioned. ;)

[Spooky Shoes]

Any else body here waiting for the physical release to arrive before listening to Barking. I have a feeling that I am the only person that reads these boards that has not heard it yet (especially since it is now available on myspace)?!?!

I did wait for a physical release, found a promo yesterday, halfway through listening to it the one I had ordered from Japan arrived.

[purlieu]

I'm still Barkingless, waiting for the deluxe box. C'mon, ship it early guys!

[dubman]

they're coming to NYC!!!!! so there!

Underworld
Roseland Ballroom
New York, NY
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 07:00 PM

btw - it's quit possible that I'm the only one on here who did not know this by now : )
i wasnt expecting to see any US dates, but now that i check they're making a stop in SF as part of a festival of 14 other acts i have absolutely no interest in.
for $50, not counting the convenience fees and such.
gonna pass on that for once.

[potatobroth]

i'll be at the NYC show with at least 5 people in tow.

[lectoid]

they're coming to NYC!!!!! so there!

Underworld
Roseland Ballroom
New York, NY
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 07:00 PM

btw - it's quit possible that I'm the only one on here who did not know this by now : )

A wednesday, aw come ON!! Tuesday and Wednesday are the worst concert days for out-of-towners. I live in NC and would drive up for a concert on any other day. I'd have to take two days off for this concert and still not have the weekend to lead in to.

[Professor]

I also wish they were playing a proper show here in SF... also passing on underage rave-fest...

[testudo]

i'll be at NYC with my wife.

[pianopisser]

for $50, not counting the convenience fees and such.

Actually (and amazingly), $50 is the total price including fees for the SF gig. I just made the decision last night to hit up the SF and LA shows (I live in LA). Though it sucks there isn't a proper UW gig in California, I have a feeling they will come around again next year with some non-festival gigs (hopefully around coachella)...

[rayray]

i'm bringing the wife, and two kids (10 & 13 - it's their second show and they act like old jaded dirts!) to nyc for this one - got to remember tickets on friday.

[tokyorai]

With exchange rate included, I have to pay $95 for one ticket to the Ageha show on Oct 10... you guys back in the states are quite lucky if you're only paying $50!!

[Dino3D]

Could anybody take photos of Barking jap ed?

[Bargo]

Here's a new article (http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/47942/Underworld_Album_trackbytrack) featuring Karl giving a brief run-down on how they made each track and why they chose the collaborators that they did. Very interesting.

[Dunwho]

Here's a new article (http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/47942/Underworld_Album_trackbytrack) featuring Karl giving a brief run-down on how they made each track and why they chose the collaborators that they did. Very interesting.

About Diamond Jigsaw... "In the beginning when I wrote it, it was Keith Richards goes to Dusseldorf and joins a techno band" hahahahahahaha

[cacophony]

Here's a new article (http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/47942/Underworld_Album_trackbytrack) featuring Karl giving a brief run-down on how they made each track and why they chose the collaborators that they did. Very interesting.

hmm... no discussion of grace. which is arguably the most intriguing track on the album.

[TheBang]

Nice find on that article.

Hamburg Hotel, with Appleblim & Komonazmuk

“It was a track that Rick wrote on a laptop in a hotel in Hamburg; it was as literal as that.
That pretty much confirms what we suspected. Written in Hamburg in the hotel on Feb. 4, 2008. Performed as the 3rd song at the Berlin show on Feb. 5. They don't come any fresher than that.

[big screen satellite]

and here we have it proof if needed that they have gone back to their roots:

'A lot of the sounds that are contemporary today were contemporary when the first Underworld album appeared. Someone said to me when I was writing last year, you should really listen to the Underneath The Radar album [Underworld’s first record from 1988]. He said there are some cool sounds on that album that sound very contemporary. And that was an interesting bridge as a writer from where we came from to right now.”

[Badger]

Anybody seen this Japan deluxe set with a cool badge? (scroll down to see)http://cgi.ebay.com.au/UNDERWORLD-BARKING-Japan-2010-DLX-CD-DVD-1-GIFT-/180548569132?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item2a0988882c

http://http://cdbanq.net/img/shop/set_underworld.jpg

[BrotherLovesDub]

*sings Paint A Vulgar Picture*

[Spooky Shoes]

The Beagle has landed.

[philth]

For all you Dirts in Ireland, Barking (Deluxe Edition) is available now on iTunes and it includes You Do Scribble (Abbey Road Version). Watch out for the non-deluxe edition which seems to be missing a track (Louisiana).

I have the box set coming but I couldn't wait. Sad, I know. :)

[TheBang]

Interesting. According to the discogs entry:

http://www.discogs.com/Underworld-Barking/release/2440403

Darren gets a writer's credit for Between Stars. Also, Lincoln is the only one of the producers to also get a writer's credit for his contributions (Scribble, Moon in Water).

[BrotherLovesDub]

Interesting. According to the discogs entry:

http://www.discogs.com/Underworld-Barking/release/2440403

Darren gets a writer's credit for Between Stars. Also, Lincoln is the only one of the producers to also get a writer's credit for his contributions (Scribble, Moon in Water).

Darren's credit for Between Stars was mentioned in an article a few weeks ago. I'd like to know what he did and i'd really like for him to contribute more to Underworld in the future.

http://www.borndirty.org/forums/showpost.php?p=126136&postcount=84

[TheBang]

Yeah, I was specifically pointing out that it was a Writer's credit, which is a big deal because that means $$$ residuals.

[jose m]

Yeah, I was specifically pointing out that it was a Writer's credit, which is a big deal because that means $$$ residuals.

if the cd sells !
i think a 1/3 share of 1 track on an album works out to something like £0.01 per album :eek:

[ThingInABook]

and who is Esme Smith? related to Rick?

(does backing vocals in ALAF, maybe the high pitched voice during the chorus?)

[BrotherLovesDub]

I think that prob. is Rick. Esme = It's Me?

That's my guess.

[testudo]

I think that prob. is Rick. Esme = It's Me?

That's my guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esm%C3%A9
Esme is a fairly common name... I am going with rick's wife or daughter

[TheBang]

if the cd sells !
i think a 1/3 share of 1 track on an album works out to something like £0.01 per album :eek:
Gotta keep Pricey fed somehow! ;)

[darktrain]

No comments/reviews on the DVD yet? Don't have it myself, but from the Youtube preview I can only say WTFLouisiana?!

[//\/\/]

tits'd off - do an hmv preorder, miss out on the delux edition because of that, and no discs arrive today!

[Rog]

just had the super deluxe box set delivered. gave it to the wife as a present......and she won't break the cellophane so i can bloody listen to it....wants to keep it as a collectors item even though she already said she won't ever sell it:D....now i've got to nip to HMV tomorrow dinnerz to get my own copy DOH!:o

[Postal]

just had the super deluxe box set delivered. gave it to the wife as a present......and she won't break the cellophane so i can bloody listen to it....wants to keep it as a collectors item even though she already said she won't ever sell it:D....now i've got to nip to HMV tomorrow dinnerz to get my own copy DOH!:o

At the same time, what a wife to recognize the value of it. At least, you hope so. :)

[Postal]

As for my own copy -- I'll admit it, I bought the Deluxe Edition off of iTunes. I'd have loved the box set, but being in Canada would have guaranteed that the price and shipping times would have been out of this world.

As it stands, I have material ready for listening on my iPhone and viewing on my iPad. The wonders of modern technology!

[TheBang]

As for my own copy -- I'll admit it, I bought the Deluxe Edition off of iTunes.
Quick question. Were the videos in HD?

[Troy McClure]

The album is available on US iTunes in both regular and deluxe editions. Also you can buy You Do Scribble (Abbey Road Version) as a stand alone track for 99 cents.

Jason

[saintrik]

Quick question. Were the videos in HD?

Not quite HD... But they look pretty nice.

All of the videos are H.264 encoded with a resolution of 640x360, with the exception of Hamburg Hotel which is 640x256.

The iTunes LP piece looks good... It's divided into Audio, Video, Art, Photo Gallery, and Credits sections...

[saintrik]

As for my own copy -- I'll admit it, I bought the Deluxe Edition off of iTunes. I'd have loved the box set, but being in Canada would have guaranteed that the price and shipping times would have been out of this world.

Actually, Amazon Canada (http://www.amazon.ca/Barking-Super-Dlx-Ed-Underworld/dp/B003VOP750/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284440233&sr=8-5) was listing the box set pretty inexpensively.

[Dino3D]

I can't believe, but today I got the album finally in my hands!! And I listened it...
Not a bad album, but nothing special. For me, it's too poppy and commercial. :(
The worst song is Moon In Water, it's soooo weak and empty.

The best songs are Bird1, Hamburg, Scribble. Hamburg is aaawesome!!!

These are my first impressions.