Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track) [Archive]

starfox203

09-01-2010, 09:42 PM

Thought I'd start a new thread since the other one was getting very long and not necessarily about our thoughts on the album.

Overall I like the album a lot, but it's a strange listen. It doesn't immediately strike me as an album, but more a mixtape or playlist of new Underworld tracks, because many of these songs have been heard in one form or another over the past few years, so the newness isn't there, just the cleanliness of the studio production and collaborations. But also, because, unlike make UW songs, each one has a clear beginning and ending. There's no cutting from one to another and really the sequencing is almost negligible. The songs could be listened to in any order without losing impact. The same can't be said for their earlier albums. (That's neither good nor bad, just an observation.) So it's not like a traditional album listen from start to finish.

Also, the collaborations make the album a bit disjointed. There's a lot of sounds going on here and because each song has it's own flavor, the effect on the whole is disparate.

That said, here's my thoughts on each track:

1. Bird 1 - Stellar opening. I love the way it begins and builds through the song. Could be longer though in the end. (8)

2. Always Loved A Film - Good, clean, fun. Maybe too much so. A good summer single. Love the refrain here. (7)

3. Scribble - The notorious first single. It's fun and loud. Great lyrics. A bit annoying. Not one that will last through the years for me. (5)

4. Hamburg Hotel - The closest sounding thing to UW of old. Very '90's experimental UW. I like it but ultimately it doesn't go anywhere. (6)

5. Grace - A great UW "ballad" - Really love this one. One for the ladies. Different enough from Telematic Peal v2 that I can keep both. I think they found the balance with the vocal treatment. (8.5)

6. Between Stars - Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Sounds like it fades out too early at the end. Should be 10 minutes really. A great song. (8.5)

7. Diamond Jigsaw - The rock'n'roll song. Surprising given PVD's involvement, this one is more rock then dance. BUt it's a classic. Just superb (though I actually did like the Van Halen synth in the live version, but that's ok). This is a great song for driving fast. Makes a great couplet with Between Stars - wish they were better linked. (9)

8. Moon In Water - It's not the original computer voiced one. That said, it's freaking amazing. I think it's my favorite, and in my mind should be an album closer. Makes me want to stand outside and spin. Superb all around and another classic for UW. (9)

9. Louisiana - Need to give this more listens I think. It's just dull for me and feels tonally out of place here. I feel you could switch it with Best Mamgu Ever and it would make more sense album wise. The transition to it doesn't work from what comes before. Maybe more listens will change that. This is a party record and that song doesn't close things out as I'd like. (4)

10. Simple Peal - It's a bonus track and really just an ambient one at that. Also doesn't fit, but nice to have. (5)

A really good, if disjointed collections. Loads of fun throughout though, which the last couple weren't.

Now it's your turn. Some will agree. Some won't.

big screen satellite

09-02-2010, 03:19 AM

I know there will be people who won't like this album, but fuck it.. i love it, its the best UW album since Dubno. 8.5/10 at least, i can't stop playing it, unlike OWB, which i have played a coupel of tracks and thats it...

having been a fan since before Dubno was released, i think i have the right to decide whether this is a valid uw relase or not...and as the No.1superfan of old i'm giving my opinion...

with the exception of Hamburg Hotel which sounds like a B-side, and is pretty vocaless, and Louisiana which should have been on some moody soundtrack, this album flows lovely, (that said - Louisiana is a beautiful track - it just doesn't fit here imo)

its full of great songs, with verses and choruses, which of the like UW have not really done since before dubno...

i love Karl's voice and he is a nice vocalist - so let the man sing... those of you who like the banging techno shit - avoid this album IT IS NOT FOR YOU - move along

anyways, people are gonna disagree but this album rocks... from Bird 1, ALAF, DJ, Between Stars, Grace - its all good...

Diamond Jigsaw could have done with the synths but its still a great little tune

i can see why this will not appease everyone.... but hey they boys sound like they're in a good place - let them stay there i say...

moody soundsacpes are soooo 90's...

Barking, Cracking more like!

potatobroth

09-02-2010, 05:13 AM

I agree 100% with your assessment of Hamburg Hotel. Its almost great, but ultimately doesn't go anywhere! A shame really. Reminds me of a track from the Cocoon gig, but I can't place it.

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-02-2010, 07:23 AM

I really enjoy this album so far. As for your comments - I disagree about Scribble. That's at least a 9 for me. I wish they had closed the album with it. That would have been epic. Maybe something about it just really gets to me.

Hamburg Hotel I totally agree on. I was really digging it, but it just kind of faded out after 5-6 minutes. It is definitely the closest to their "old" sound that you get here. I'm not sure if it was just supposed to be a jam, or what. But I'm glad it's on the album.

As for Louisiana - I'm with BSS on this one. I think it's beautiful and haunting...but it's not really right for this album. I dunno, maybe a few more listens will change my mind. You're totally right starfox that it should have been replaced with something like Best Mamgu Ever, that would be amazing...

As it stands I don't think it's quite as good as the first two, but maybe their best since. Really digging it and hoping this brings new fans into the fold.

Maethodik

09-02-2010, 09:10 AM

Mmmmm...
A little disappointed.
Nice album, ok. Not more. It really sounds as no Underworld album.
Happy sounds, I prefer the old mature sound.
The only surprise is Louisiana. Wonderful track.
Whatever, nice tracks, overall 7. But really far from their older albums..

starfox203

09-02-2010, 10:35 AM

I'll add that I haven't wanted to play air guitar as much as I do with Diamond Jigsaw in years.

Dirty0900

09-02-2010, 10:59 AM

Still unsure on Hamburg Hotel, but really liking it. Still hoping Bamboo will make an appearance somewhere as a B-side.

dc_04

09-02-2010, 11:40 AM

bird 1 - great groove, but a little too dubfire for me.

alaf - way too much mark knight/d. ramirez

scribble - love parts of it.. one of my favorite tracks from the last few years of live sets, but ultimately, i find myself enjoying the demo versions much more than the final product.

hamburg hotel - agree with the other assessments.. great track, but never really gets there. still though, a great listen.

grace - no. imo, it's a lazy effort all around.. especially the vocal treatment. karl isn't the world's greatest microphone wrangler, but come on.. he sounds awful.

between stars - same as alaf. way too much MK/DR.

diamond jigsaw - pvd to the max. not my thing.

moon in water - the standout, for sure. incredible groove... can't help but move your body. i really, really like this one.

louisiana - sounds like an OwB track. personally, i love it, as i love this side of UW. i do agree, though, that it feels odd on an album full of club anthems.

simple peal - as great an ambient wash as underworld has ever produced. they are masters as creating these types of sonic textures. love the granulated bell. a nice bonus.

overall.. it will probably be at the bottom of the list of underworld albums for me. i'm just not into this sound. but, the boys definitely accomplished what they wanted - they have a whole heck of a lot of huge tunes that will slay any large festival, plus be absolutely slammed by all of the big DJs. add in the remixes that are soon to follow and you've got an album with a lot of legs in the club circuit.

you've got to respect an act that can put out an album of film-score inspired tunes, and then turn around the next time and drop a handful of the biggest dance numbers in years. that type of diversity is impressive.. and ultimately.. why i love this band so damn much. :)

i am very much looking forward to getting my hands on disc2 of the LE box. i have a feeling that's much more the album i was hoping for ;)

- dc

BrotherLovesDub

09-02-2010, 11:45 AM

big screen satellite

09-02-2010, 12:46 PM

This is the best critique summary i've read. I don't agree with you but you get it. Unlike some who question whether a band in the midst of the most creative cycle of their career are 'out of ideas'.

i agree with BLD, i don't agree either, but its been 'got' as an idea which is great

however - 'getting your hands on' disc 2 is not getting 'the album', basically its the rejects -

i'm expecting ppl here to review the disc 2 as what should have been and thats wrong imo...
disc 2 is not 'Barking' the album or the album 90% of the people will buy -

disc 2 is a kinda thanks to the fans who listened to the process - the lemonworld jams etc - thanks for staying with us, but DISC 1 is the album and as such stands up

i hope there's no backlash when ppl get teh second disc

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-02-2010, 01:04 PM

i agree with BLD, i don't agree either, but its been 'got' as an idea which is great

however - 'getting your hands on' disc 2 is not getting 'the album', basically its the rejects -

i'm expecting ppl here to review the disc 2 as what should have been and thats wrong imo...
disc 2 is not 'Barking' the album or the album 90% of the people will buy -

disc 2 is a kinda thanks to the fans who listened to the process - the lemonworld jams etc - thanks for staying with us, but DISC 1 is the album and as such stands up

i hope there's no backlash when ppl get teh second disc

I feel the same. We don't know what we're getting with disc 2, even if the stuff we get will be good quality versions or not. They good just be like, poorly recorded jams. It's not clear that they'll be the original studio versions, though that's implied here, it may not be anything more than what we have already. That said UW is not exactly known for putting out poorly recorded garbage so I'm guessing it will at least sound good.

That said...before you call this the "rejects"...wasn't "Cherry Pie" a reject? "Parc"? "8 Ball"? "You Do Scribble"? UW have a reputation for having great rejects!

BrotherLovesDub

09-02-2010, 01:06 PM

Work in Progress or Demo ≠ Reject. Otherwise, BSS is right on.

joethelion

09-02-2010, 01:07 PM

1. Bird 1 - Have to agree - it's a great opening. Dubfire definitely has a heavy hand... but I kinda like it. It's also funny b/c I remember going to the Yoshitoshi Shop in DC (when he was a part of Deep Dish, they had a record store/ studio there)... and one time, I came in, and asked if he 'knew underworld' (meaning - are you aware of their music, b/c I wanted to buy similar stuff) -> he gave me a very annoyed reply of "Not personally" - completely missing the point, but I digress...

2. Always Loved A Film - It almost sounds too fun. Like, I'd feel silly if someone heard me blasting it on my car stereo

3. Scribble - I keep flip-flopping about this. I wonder how "You Do Scribble" would've sounded with lyrics... or this track without those synth stabs...

4. Hamburg Hotel - It reeeeeaaaaalllly reminds me of "Mosiac" and also of some of the old-old improvs (like around 94/95, especially 1995 Leicester University)

5. Grace - I think this track is great. I thought "Telematic Peal [Version.2]" (from the June 11th broadcast) was good enough on its own, but I dig the new pattern of the percussion... it's got a nice sway, instead of a steady pulse

6. Between Stars - for some reason... It kinda reminds me of Depeche Mode (like their live renditions of old standards, like "Enjoy the Silence"). Not a bad thing.

7. Diamond Jigsaw - Absolutely can't get into this song at all. It's the only song I couldn't listen through.

8. Moon In Water - I thought the original sounded "nice" and was very chill. Basically, it sounded like an OWB bside... this sounds like a SINGLE.

9. Louisiana - It actually made me a bit teary eyed. Just something about the tones, and the sounds really really got to me. The second half of the song or so - like when the live-sounding drums come in, sounds a bit Moby-ish. I mean, it seems that it's what Moby was trying to get at with "Hotel" (but Underworld succeeded)

10. Simple Peal - Really just feels like a bonus track. I couldn't tell any difference between it and the one that was available to download back in 2008. It fits in as well as Phonestrap would've...

dubman

09-02-2010, 01:23 PM

who said they were out of ideas? they're stuffed with them. they're excited, they're bounding with enthusiasm, it just sometimes works and sometimes doesnt.

bird 1 - seemed more substantial live, like theyve translated its darkness into something more quiet. it's good, though i expected it to be more.. insistent. 7

always loved a film – decent-i-guess. anyone remember when this was full of anxiety, a bit disjointed? now i'm being asked if i can feel heaven. egh. if we're gonna get cheesy though, this is an okay way to do it. Shit guitar break though. 6

scribble - still terrible. hate the beat, and the riff is a headache. meaningless. sometimes you dont appreciate things until they're gone and to hear YDS turn into this is just awful. it's not an embarrassment though, just something i hate. 2.5

hamburg hotel – this is good. I agree with the 90s vibe and its ‘incompleteness’ doesn’t bother me. It’s them having a go to what the kids are up to in their own way. Wouldn’t get anyone excited but appreciated for where it is. 7

grace. There was nothing wrong with telematic’s beat and it was a lot better than what’s here. Nonetheless I think it’s a good egg. It’s nice when karl let’s the words talk instead of the voice. Unlike a lot of this album, there’s nothing to get used to here. I think I might get bored of it pretty soon. 6

between stars – I think this is their most successful grab at outward-uw-pop for this album. Feels shorter than it is, and I like how the vocals nearly get drowned out because what words I can hear sound completely ridiculous. So the shouting is all left to mirror the noise of the song, and his delivery is excellent. Exciting! Some bits strike me as a tad stupid as expected for a song like this but I really don’t care right now. Better on headphones, you feel saturated. 8.5

diamond jigsaw – the second in the 1-2 punch of pop done right for them. That stupid fucking guitar threatens to upend everything into technoshitrock nonsense but it’s quickly assimilated into what works and karl is again on fire, plus the lyrics don’t sound half bad this time. 7.5

moon on water – the purpose of this one still escapes me. It’s a slowburn, it’s rich, it’s a bright light, it does nothing for me at all. I don’t even get mad at it, I don’t feel a goddamned thing here. like chemical brothers today: music that seems to exist purely because it’s what happened. Dry hole. 4

Louisiana – the wavering vocal already got the wary eye from me but I took it on its own terms, I liked the piano, the words were great, this was going to be a warm little send off. Oh but then the beat. That beat. Fucking ridiculous. Ruined. 3

Simple Peal – I dunno about you guys, but rick is pretty decent at capturing the ambient noises in your head when you simply sit back and experience life happening around you. Steady pulses, tones, a bit of peace, hearing something then quietly repeating it to yourself. Doesn’t fit on the album but who gives a fuck. Glad it’s here. 7.5

The cruel average of numbers has me rating this a 5.9 but I feel like it’s more of a 7. The album shows what theyre going for, they made a decent crack at it, and it’s another angle to a restless band always trying to create more. Still an apologist slant for what would be something I’d toss if it were done by others (because at the end of the day I wouldn’t care if I never heard ‘between stars’ from anyone else), but I really thought this was going to be the one that I didn’t care about. I’d hear it once, get back to what I was doing, and shake the dust from the kind of fanboyism that listens to an album he only likes half of a bunch of times. nooope. I may be mixed on this but they’re still grabbing me because it’s their trajectory and it’s still interesting. I think I’ve listened to it through about 7 times since yesterday and I’m still totally fine with it. I expected something pretty bad, and got something decent, so I’m happy.

dc_04

09-02-2010, 02:22 PM

disagreements are good!

always enjoy the discourse here surrounding a new UW release. :)

- dc

Sappys Curry

09-02-2010, 03:58 PM

I think it is solid, and I need more listens with it to form a better opinion. I'm sure this album will grow on me more.

(Songs below are listed in the order they are on the album)

Songs I think are very good: Bird 1, Always Loved A Film, Louisiana, Simple Peal
Songs I think are good: Hamburg Hotel, Diamond Jigsaw, Moon in Water
Songs I think are decent/okay: Scribble, Grace, Between Stars

Those last three are not too good to me (those listed as 'decent/okay'), but I don't dislike them (there is hardly any song from UW I dislike). I'd say my favorite of those three is Between Stars. I read an opinion that it is over produced and I agree it does seem so. Less is more sometimes (or maybe often times, heh).

I really do think the album will grow on me more with repeated listens. I don't think it'll beat OWB for me personally. I definitely don't think that this is the best album from them since STITI or Dubnobass like some do. No disrespect to their opinions, just stating my take on such comments. I don't think this album will beat BF or OWB for me, and it may or may not rank above AHDO for me. (To note, that is just my current speculation about the album vs. other UW albums)

But such things really aren't that important. :) I like this album, that is the bottom line. I like this album and it'll grow on me over more listens. I really look forward to what I call the alternate album (CD 2). I have a feeling that I'll like CD 2 of the box set more, and if this ends up being the case, that doesn't mean I'll just forget about the main album. It is exciting because CD 2 of the box set; with it, it is like we get two new albums from UW in the same month. And CD 2 isn't "the rejects" like someone said. It's the alternate album. It is unofficially another album from UW, if you ask me. Unofficially one, but I'll just chalk it up as another major release from them. :p It will be like the River Run series. A major release from UW that is geared for the diehard fans. :D

And about the bonus track, Simple Peal is a great track. It is no different from the version that has been around, but that is okay; the song is very good as it is. When I have YDS AR Version, I'll put Barking on my iPod with the nine tracks of the regular release (because I really like Louisiana as a closing track) and then make a playlist for the playlist category that has Simple Peal and YDS AR Version. Also, I hope that Are you Rockstar? gets a release on an EP. That deserves an official release. Same thing for Toobee. Another good track that could use an official release on an EP. Maybe they should release an EP with those two songs and Louisiana.

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-02-2010, 04:13 PM

Agreed. Simple Peal is a fantastic bonus track, and I kind of wish they'd do a full album of this kind of stuff (besides I'm a big Sister, etc.)

Finally figured out what bothered me about Jigsaw...the main melody is totally different! I was just hearing the old one in my head!

the mongoose

09-02-2010, 04:16 PM

1. Bird 1 - Love the abstract & imaginative lyrics and the slow builing beat to start the fire off right. Getting more used to the hihats and synth plops in the percussion, and I think I’ve actually grown to like them in the mix now. Great choice as the warm up opener.

2. Always Loved a Film - Album version is a thick wall of sound (in a good way) from the beginning. The springy echo sounds at the start are much more prominant than they were on the radio edit. Catchy lyrics (HEAVEN chorus especially) and a perfect breakdown in the center of the track is what made this the obvious lead single. Love the piano stabs at the end too. As I described it in an earlier post, it kinda reminds me of a modern day Pink Floyd track that’s geared for the dancefloor.

3. Scribble - You Do Scribble is baked right in, so that is a huge plus for me…because that song has easily been one of my favorite new Underworld tracks that they've created in the last couple of years. The changes to it took a while to get used to, but I think its great as its own standalone single. Looking forward to hearing the Abbey Road version of You Do Scribble as well as the studio version of the original on Box Set cd 2. PM me if you happen to come across a copy of that ole illusive Abbey version.

4. Hamburg Hotel - Echoes of offbeat dubstep mixed with a tuba sounding bass that begins to modulate as the track evolves. Warbles of spoken word snippets zip around as well. Feels very rooted in Jazz, with the percussive elements shaking, scrubbing, and tapping away in a freeform style. Very alternative and subtlely layered track for sure. You should definitely reserve final judgement on this one until you give it a few listens…it will slowly grow on you!

5. Grace - Seems like a slow, introspective song at first, but somewhere around midpoint (about where the acoustic guitar part kicks in), the whole song feels like it gains a large amount of momentum that opens it up well. Catch myself humming and singing the lyrics to this one to myself quite a bit actually.

6. Between Stars - This is hands down the best treadmill running/ driving really fast song on the album. The lyrics are interesting and go well with the orchestrated high pitch synth pads that are featured throughout. Borderline cheese though.

7. Diamond Jigsaw – Glad that the “Chariots of Fire” synth was done away with in lieu of a more prominent guitar lead. In fact, the guitar solos on this track are the best part about it. Lyrics are fine and match well with the carefree, poke-your-chest-out vibe that the drums and guitar convey here so well. Obvious choice for next single or should it be Bird 1?

8. Moon in Water – Raped and left bloody in an alley. No, actually its not that bad of a reimagining. 70% of the lyrics are still there (this time spoken by Danielle) but it bugs me that they’re not fully intact…..the whole “present never invites….with knowing not which to depend….this is the time that you realize” part is completely snipped, with an almost taunting reminder that “things are constantly changing, changing, changing”. The rise and fall of the synth waves are much more intense, and make you forget that there is a far superior “original” version on Box Set cd 2…lol. That said, I still love this track.

9. Louisiana – Fits in on the album like a pale blonde boy on stage at the Apollo playing country music about hockey. But, regardless, it’s a very nice relaxing closer. Your friends and those in traffic around you will hate you so be forewarned. MANLY FEELINGS *grunts*.

10. Simple Peel – Calming atmospheric ambience, and the perfect true closing track to the album. Sub frequencies and subtle synth tones dance with sounds of bells, voices, and bits of static or silence. Amazing blast of fresh air that harkens back to the good ole’ Tongue and Blueski days of old.

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-02-2010, 04:46 PM

good review mongoose...I agree with almost all of it (except that I liked the Chariots of Fire synths).

Here's my honest take...this is kind of like the Thriller of electro...almost every track could be a single, doesn't really fit too well as an album, but it hardly matters. No, really:

"Bird 1" is like "Wanna be Startin Somethin", nervous, sneakily funky, very wordy.
"ALAF" would be "Thriller",
"Diamond Jigasaw" is of course "Beat It",
"Grace" would be "Billie Jean" (very rhythmic, kind of apprehensive),
"Moon in Water" would be "Human Nature",
"Between Stars" would be "PYT" (great dance tune with a retro synth hook)

god...i'm a dork

Lx_Nen

09-02-2010, 05:58 PM

Ok, since everyone else is having a go, I might as well too...

Bird 1 - I can't think of any time I've ever said this about a track before... it's too long. For me, 3 mins 15 seconds to get to the chorus doesn't work for such a poppy song. Having said that, trimming 2 minutes off the front and sticking 2 more of development at the end would be great, I'm thinking 'Cups' part II... actually, this is a comment on the whole album, one of the great things about underworld is that they often start off somewhere, and end up somewhere else. Nothing on this album does that, which I think makes it feel a lot less underworld-y... anyway 9/10

Always Loved a Film - Massive, uplifting... perfect pop. I really hope the public gets to hear this, if Depeche Mode or New Order had written it, it would be a worldwide number 1. 9.5/10

Scribble - Massive, uplifting... but lightweight. I've had a blast deafening myself with this down country lanes with the top down in the sun, but I just know I'll be skipping past it in about 6 months. Could have been amazing if it morphed into the wilder bits of YDS after about 5m 30s. 7/10

Hamburg Hotel - aah, the inevitable 'one I don't like'. The unfunky drums sound forced, and there's no sense of direction. It's got an AHDO sound to it, and not in a good way. If I was in charge, I'd have tucked this away on a b-side and put 'Downpipe' in it's place, a killer tune that would have filled this spot perfectly. 4/10

Grace - a good, solid album track, I like it a lot... but continuing my theme of what ifs, I'd rather have had Bamboo in it's place. 6/10

Between Stars - Massive, uplifting... we're back into 'every track's a hit single' territory here. Needs Rick to do several longer mixes (and not just farm it out to whoever gets their name written in this month's mixmag the most). 9/10

Diamond Jigsaw - Massive, uplifting... still firmly in 'every track's a hit single' territory. I really love the song, but I find the vocal is a bit muffled. It's tuly epic, and yet strangely this has a strong Underworld MK1 feel to it, which is odd, but refreshing. Could have done with Trevor Horn instead of PVD, but you can't have everything! 9.5/10

Moon in Water - my absolute favourite track. While the rest of the album is overtly 'pop' (and is damn good at it), this track somehow manages to condense all the quirkiness and depth that's missing from the first 7 tracks in to something that, if you tried to describe it in words, ought to be an unlistenable self-indulgent pile of tosh, but actually manages to be both the most 'underworldly' thing on the album (despite Karl not doing the vocals) and also the most catchy. My only criticism is that it's criminally short. 10/10

Louisiana - hmm, I normally despise ballads, and I really, really don't like the vibrato effect on the vocals, but it's damn good at being what it is. 6/10

chems1919

09-02-2010, 08:04 PM

I'm surprised by the amount of people that are disappointed...I am pleasantly surprised with the album. I think it sounds incredible, way better than I thought it was going to be. It has a pop, single-friendly sound, but at the same time you have dark and brooding moments (especially with the beautiful Grace).

Bird 1 sounds incredible, it's a great opener track. It's Strumpet for God's sake, it's what we've always been wanting and we are finally getting it in a great form, yet people are disliking it? I guess I just don't understand why. Grace even sounds like the best version of Telematic Peal I've ever heard. Always Loved a Film is way better than its single version, as is the case with Scribble (since you hear more bits of YDS). I would have loved to have YDS instead of Scribble, but that idea got shot down long ago.

I agree that Hamburg Hotel is a bit strange, but it doesn't seem different from other UW releases. They seem to do this with every album, and I'm quite liking the track since it balances the pacing of the album. Diamond Jigsaw is even great (mainly the chorus...the opening is a bit too much at times); which I'm stunned because I'll admit I was scared when I heard PVD was going to collaborate.

I will agree that Louisiana is...different. I was turned off the first time I listened to it and I'll admit as of right now, it might be the weakest point in the album. But I have a feeling that it will change the more I listen to it. The only thing that's turning me off is the vocals, but like I said I think it's a grower. And the bonus track is completely sweet. Ambient UW = awesome.

So yeah, I'm thrilled with the release and I hope more people enjoy it as much as I do. UW gets a big thumbs-up from me. I like it more than OWB and AHDO. Sure, I would love UW to get back to their roots and make releases like Second Toughest in the Infants, but I don't think there's any turning back. Bands evolve; some do it for the better and some for the worse. I personally think UW is continuing to grow in a unique way.

BrotherLovesDub

09-02-2010, 08:32 PM

if New Order had written it, it would be a worldwide number 1.

new order had 1 song hit number 1 and it was a stupid football track.

big screen satellite

09-03-2010, 12:59 AM

good review mongoose...I agree with almost all of it (except that I liked the Chariots of Fire synths).

Here's my honest take...this is kind of like the Thriller of electro

lol that is so true

best review ever!

shame it won't sell like it... :(

big screen satellite

09-03-2010, 01:05 AM

new order had 1 song hit number 1 and it was a stupid football track.

bands the likes of New Order / Depeche Mode will never have another single that even gets close to number 1, likewise, neither will Underworld, if released today Born Slippy wouldn't have dented the top end of the charts.

Popular music has changed beyond all recognition of the past, these acts would only hit number one if they included some crazy named 'rapper' or a female vocalist called Katy, Gaga or Shakira

chart success is not necessarily the measure of a good pop tune...

Flywaver

09-03-2010, 05:01 AM

Right then its now time for a Flywaver review!

Bird 1.... One downside for me with this. I prefer the name Strumpet! Luv it!
Was this named as a carry on from OWB closer Loads Of Birds...? Apart from mentioning said name in the track. Anyway a good opener. I still slightly prefer Strumpet but this is growing on me. So 7.5/10

Always Loved A Film.... A corker!! I liked version 1 and couldnt get into more recent variations but this has such an optimistic vibe. I dont find it cheesey at all.It needs to be in a movie so it can maybe get Underworld memorable for something other than BS NUXX. ALAF is Underworlds Beautiful Day far as im concerned. Also im so happy i can hear it with out Pete Tong ruining it.
9/10

Scribble... A great change to You Do Scribble and its a straight in your face track that has WE ARE BACK written all over it. Ok with other producers like the rest of the album but its Underworld alright. Gets an 7.5/10 from me.

Hamburg Hotel... Im getting this Phonestrap6/Autotrader4 vibe from this crossed with MMM..Skyscraper I Love You which is no bad thing. Gets an 8/10. Im finding this intriging

Grace... it flows nicely but to me its the albums filler which ill be more likely to skip. Guess it cant all be perfect. Ring Road was the same and Push Upstairsi cant stand either! Anyway 6/10

Between Stars... Now this and next track Diamond Jigsaw will hint of Beacoup Fish commercial dance tunes. But isnt it about time Underworld went and revisited the hands in the air Euphoria!? Clubs will love this track...8/10

Diamond Jigsaw... Guitar and ohhh it sounds like New Order. So what! New Order wont care they have retired. Perhaps a tribute to New Order in this! Also i love the Never Ending Story style sound in the chorus. This is epic. I thought i would miss this the original version but brave and great move Rick and Karl!.. 9/10

Moon In Water..... The drum comes in at a perfect pace. Ive always been a fan of the ambient side of Underworld and this is a much improved beauty that was very good anyway. Well chuffed with this album so far.... 8/10

Louisiana...I thought my heart was going to be broken. Tears were rolling and at 2 mins in i was going to cry in horror as it almost turned to awful cheesy sound but it barely lasted seconds and it self redeemed. Phew! Still its a mellow pleaser... 7/10
This now edited to 9/10! Woke up this morning and played it first. Such a nice tune as you wake up. This track now hit me!

Simple Peel. Now i adore this ambient track. The church bells remind me of somewhere in the Alps as a lad. Anyway i dont feel it belongs as an extra. This should be as part of the supposed other Riverruns that never appeared... Maybe it fits. I need more listens. Bamboo would of been a belter as a closer. I still give this track 9/10 but im confused that this little gem became an album extra...

Barking i give you 8.5 out of 10. Your the best album since STITI for me. Found BF was too commercial but was redeemed by Kittens and Jumbo. AHDO and OWB are about equal but a tad better than BF so...

DNBWYHM 8.5/10
STITI 9.5/10
BF 7.0/10
AHDO 7.5/10
OWB 7.5/10
Points through vague memory lol Also i know i need to listen to MK1 Underworld..... :):D:cool:

sy2004

09-03-2010, 05:18 AM

As usual Underworld fans differ in opinions, for now this is my score:

very good - Bird 1, Always Loved A Film, Scribble, Diamond Jigsaw, Grace
good - Hamburg Hotel (could have been better with some kind of vocals, Between Stars
just ok - Moon In Water
sort of b-side stuff - Louisiana, Simple Peal (both should have been replaced with other unreleased tracks played live before)

Bird 1 is absolutely top, should have been extented or doubled in time :)

This album is gonna get in a loop play from track 1 to 7. The rest will be mainly skipped.

TheBang

09-03-2010, 05:21 AM

Also i love the Never Ending Story style sound in the chorus.
Damn you for pointing that out. That's one of my favorite parts too, and now I'm going to think of Never Ending Story when I hear it. :mad:

big screen satellite

09-03-2010, 05:38 AM

Damn you for pointing that out. That's one of my favorite parts too, and now I'm going to think of Never Ending Story when I hear it. :mad:

well try listening to the start to Moon in Water without thinking of the start of All Saints - Never Ever...

'a few questions that i need to know...'

the-star-samurai

09-03-2010, 10:22 AM

After first listen:

Bird 1 - 5/5 - I fell hard for "Strumpet" this past summer and then this seems like a great logical step from there. Needless to say, I can't wait to drive to this song in the morning. ♥
Always Loved A Film - 4/5 - I just listened to the single for this song after listening to the radio rip tons of times to get over the Silver Boots version. And I am loving this version more with each listen - the high energy, the guitar breakdown, and just - singing along to it and FEELING the energy itself. It just FEELS good.
Scribble - 4/5 - I've been listening to this since like...I think June? So I'm kind of just avoiding it like I did with "Crocodile" when Oblivion With Bells released. But I still love it. I am incredibly biased since I love liquid funk, Hospital Records, and High Contrast. Plus those Underworld elements of voice sampling and Karl's singing. How can I possibly NOT like this song?
Hamburg Hotel - 2/5 - This needs to grow on me - because to be honest, I don't remember what it sounds like right now. And I was looking forward to this song - so I am slightly disappointed with it.
Grace - 3/5 - Love~~~ I haven't listened to "Telematic Peel" that much anyway (I was more enamored by "Jumping Then Cran", sorry guys.) But if I can sing along to it, then it's a great thing. A song for the ladies? Well I'm a lady and...it's cool with me.
Between Stars - 5/5 - Fuck yes.
Diamond Jigsaw - 5/5 - As a long-time PvD listener, I did hear a few elements of his style. But nothing overbearing - which is a huge plus. Plus with the guitar portions and how they were placed - amazing.
Moon In Water - 3/5 - I need more listens of this - it's pretty chill and of course, voice sample is a huge plus. I'm sure with more listens I will fall hard for this song.
Louisiana - 10/5 - I am horribly horribly horribly biased when it comes to this song. Ever since "Jumping Then Cran" aired on one of the webcasts, I fell HARD in LOVE with it and hoped and hoped and hoped for a proper quality version of it to surface. So when I heard it became "Louisiana" for Barking, I thanked Underworld from the bottom of my heart. I'd repeat the hell out of "Jumping then Cran" and sing along and just FEEL the emotion. (I also drew sketches and pictures with the lyrics - I memorized the hell out of those lyrics!)
I can see how it doesn't fit on this album. But I don't give a shit - it's 3 minutes longer, and the new elements don't really overwhelm the original aspects of the song. I nearly cried listening and singing along to it the first play through.
Simple Peel - 5/5 - Always loved this song. So whatever - automatic 5/5. I don't care if it's a bonus track, it is awesome.

So yeah. I really really like this album. Out of 10, I'd give it an 8. It proved again to me that "Hell yes, Underworld can never disappoint me. NEVER".

Underworld continues to make it difficult to rate their albums in order of how much I love them. Oblivion with Bells did help me through a week of pneumonia in October 2007. (Literally the week I received my copy of the limited edition preorder, I had to go to the hospital.) So I have a huge personal connection with that album that cannot be broken.

holden

09-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Ok, i couldn't resist. Wanted to wait for the box to appear, but i'll still have fun with that, listening to the other disc and looking at the art and videos, etc.

So i took "Barking" out for a walk in the Toronto drizzle today. Early impressions:

Bird 1 - Enjoying the crispness of the LP version and being able to make out the lyrics better than the live renditions. A bit of menace or at least suspense to open the record. Also surprised how effective the refrain is, as it's several minutes in before we hear "There is one bird in my house". 8/10
Always Loved A Film - Since this has been living in my player for weeks, not much surprise, other than it's still catchy as heck. The downside for me is what i interpret as Knight/Ramirez backing vox on the "and i don't know if i love you more..." bridge. Would prefer to hear Rick. It's a fine single, but as we kno, it's a far ways off from the works in progress, which all had a rough edge. 7/10
Scribble- Same as above, no surprise. But it's still delightful, and in the realm of Two Months Off...uplifting, imminently danceable. 7/10
Hamburg Hotel - I also get the "Mmm skyscraper" and mid-90's b-side/jams feel from this. The distorted and barely deciperhable female vocals, the drum patterns, the chord progressions - all distinctly Underworld. The arp-y bassline has some great effects added. Yeah, it sort of fades away, but there are a lot of elements to enjoy. 8.5/10
Grace - Haunting lyrics, driving beat. The choir effect at the start is not my favorite. But hey, waitresses, violently in love, a bit about music being too loud, silence a blessing - this is a stark contrast to the jubilant singles and the tender closer "Louisiana". One of the more claustophobic and dark tracks fo UW, in the vein of "Stagger". 8/10
Between Stars - Definitely agree with the Depeche Mode comparisons ("Behind the Wheel"?). Very synth-pop. Not crazy about the lyrics, and i think this one is a little overproduced. By the end, i was turning the volume down. Probably will grow on me, but not feeling it right now. 5/10
Diamond Jigsaw - PvD's involvment in this one doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's rocking and hard-driving. I certainly hope the junky guitar riff is Karl playing livee, not a sample! Similarly, the ending breakdown has what sounds like live drums. Certainly hearkens back to mki UW and late 80's/early 90's synth rock. Much better without the cheesy synth stabs from former live versions. Much improved, i think. 7/10
Moon In Water - Definitely my favorite of the album. Yes, it clashes with the songs before, perhaps because of the metaphysical(?) lyrics ( i can hear reviewers wondering "What the F is this about?") and female voice, but it also paves the way from dance to the tender closer. When the "does not wait to catch his reflection" loop and beats kick in, it's bliss. And it only gets warmer. I love how the vocal loop is treated with chorus or flanger or whatever until the words are less important than the melody. So glad that this got the LP treatment, as the radio broadcast version has been a favorite of mine, but it did seem unfinished. I could listen to this 10 times in a row, it just makes me feel infinite. 9.5/10
Louisiana - whoa. This is just a beautiful track. Yes, definitely a bit out of place considering what came before, though i do think it benefits from having Moon In Water's somewhat more warm/calm influence separating it from Diamond Jigsaw. "When you touch me, planets in sweet collision. Quietly violent." "I fell asleep last night on the Underground" "...bullets in conversation." Wow. I'm about to cry. It's no banging ender like "Moaner" or "Leutin", but it's an emotional core to what is, in spots, a glossy populist record. 8.5/10
Simple Peel - works for me. Calming drones and bells that fade as if walking down the streets. We know Rick and Karl have been up to ambient or sounscape-ish ttracks for a while, this is fine as the bonus track. 7.5/10

Overall, very enjoyable listen, unscientific average 7.6/10. It does seem like a collection of singles until tracks 8-9-10 sort of consolidate a deeper mood that i guess was evident on Bird1 and Grace. Its not just hands-in-the-air euphoria as ALAF, Scribble, DJ would seem to imply. It also occurs to me that all previous albums may seem cohesive and sequenced because we KNOW them that way. Very few tracks in their back catalog are mixed together end-on-end, and certainly BF had several big singles all in a row. So with time and listens, this will feel just as deliberate and "right". For the moment, i'm just enjoying the surprises.
.

Sappys Curry

09-03-2010, 02:07 PM

I don't know what I'd rate this album as, but it is indeed growing on me more. I already posted a lot of my thoughts on the album in an earlier page. I'd probably give it a B grade as of now, and I know this album will grow on me more. It took time for AHDO to grow on me more, and it took time for OWB to grow on me more. One thing to be said, I'm definitely not disappointed with this album. I like this album. Underworld has never disappointed me with an album (okay, except for AHDO, but over time, I came to like it significantly more and thought to myself "why was I ever disappointed with this?!" :p).

So with time and listens, this will feel just as deliberate and "right".

That is a good way of putting it, and is kind of what I mean when I say this album will grow on me more with more listens.

cacophony

09-04-2010, 06:48 AM

I know there will be people who won't like this album, but fuck it.. i love it, its the best UW album since Dubno.

I'm sincerely surprised to read this. I feel like it's their weakest release to date, challenging ADO for the title. It's disjointed an you can hear exactly where they stop and their collaborators begin. Vocal treatments are dry and amateur sounding, most of the tracks are significantly shorter than they could have been, and theres none of the inclination to let a good groove build and play out like on dubno.

I'm thrilled strumpet and YDS made it on the album, and to a degree ALAF and beneath stars. But they all sound like lesser versions of the live versions we've been hearing up until now.

Edit: wanted to mention how much I'm enjoying hamburg hotel. Lovely surprise.

monochrome

09-04-2010, 08:52 AM

big screen satellite

09-04-2010, 09:24 AM

and theres none of the inclination to let a good groove build and play out like on dubno.
.

thats because its not dubno... Underworld didn't want to do long epic tracks for this album - buy a sasha album if you want epics or just revist dubno (which is stilll great), this is short sweet pop / dance friendly music

its totally accessible and enjoyable imo

its not for fans of epic electronica they've been there and done that

holden

09-04-2010, 09:54 AM

thats because its not dubno...

...or STITI or BF or AHDO or OWB!
(thought it's a little bit Change the Weather/Underneath the Radar!)

Every album has been an evolution in sound. We tend to think of Dubno and STITI as these sacred cows, epic and perfect. Yeah, well, each of them has a few so-so tracks , and just because they have a few longer songs or a few "epics", that doesn't make the tracklisting or content any more cohesive or intentional. As i said above, give Barking a few more plays and its sequence and moods will feel intentional and "just right", too.

Nope, Barking's not Dubno. It's stylistically leaning towards simpler, catchier singles. But not without a bit of experimentation (Hamburg, Louisiana) and nods to their past (Simple Peal, Grace). After a few listens, it's definitely working for me.

i guess i just get a little tired of folks holding the first few albums up so high. They're great, yes, but i go through moods with them all. Each has tracks i love, tracks i can do without. But the sum of the parts is always head and shoulders above pretty much any other band out there.

potatobroth

09-04-2010, 10:06 AM

Bird1 is unmistakably (STITI era) Underworld. ALAF is unmistakably (ADHO era) Underworld. Hamburg Hotel and Louisiana (must i spell that track name wrong every time??) are total throwbacks. Moon in Water also sounds like a progression and I think that track is spectacular.

While I agree that Between Stars doesn't come off as special, the others listed above totally do.

I can hear the heavy hand of the collaborators on occasion but not to the degree that I expected to and for the most part, its in the background to my ears. Scribble being the worst offender. That barely sounds like Underworld to me, but to be fair, You Do Scribble never sounded like Underworld to me until 2 years into its live life cycle.

bas_I_am

09-04-2010, 10:07 AM

I really thought I was going to hate this album, but I have to say, it is a grower. I dont think you can listen to it with the same critical perspective as you would their other albums. Its a totally different beast.

Bird 1: a great tune but it is missing a bridge around the 5 minute mark, else it would be a perfect pop song ( 8 )

Always Loved a Film: blissful pop. . . hated it when I heard the radio edit. I understand the New Order comparisons. Good or bad. . . its the best New Order track in 20 years. This one has a bridge and it gives me chills ( 9 )

Scribble: Ugh. . I just can't get into this. The begining reminds me of Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain." I can't stand the snare drum nor the synth line. It just goes on too long without doing anything interesting ( 2 )

Hamburg Hotel: Love it! Am I the only one that hears elements of "blueski" in it??? ( 9 )

Grace: Love it!!! The guitar line is haunting ( 9 )

Between Stars: I thought I hated this track, but I am really growing to love it. . . the builds and the releases. . . a total wall of sound. the production seems a little too bright possibly, but its a winner. ( 8 )

Diamond Jigsaw: Its as if they took Juanita's bouncing ball rhythm, mixed in elements of U2 by putting guitar and pop lyrics on it, and created something that the masses can love. C'mon guys. . . there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that!!! ( 8 )

Moon In Water: Perfect execution! its got all the underworld sonic bells and whistles but with a perfect pop structure. The way it undulates from melancholia to pure joy is simply beautiful!!!! "manifests. . . manifests. . . manifests. . . manifests. . . " BOOM!!! ( 10 )

Lousiana: As was said in a review somewhere, it sounds as if Karl has been listening to Talk Talks's Spirit of Eden. It really doesnt do anything for me ( 5 )

Simple Peal:I guess this is a bonus track for the japanese release??? It does nothing for me. ( not rated as it isn't on the release proper)

This averages to 7.5 on a track by track basis. Add a point for overall album construction and I give it a 8.5 or 4 out of 5 stars

Now I can understand why many don't like it. Thats your opinion and you are welcome to it. But I think the guys succeeded in what they set out to accomplish - make a "Pop" album.

Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Sappys Curry

09-04-2010, 11:26 AM

I'm sincerely surprised to read this. I feel like it's their weakest release to date, challenging ADO for the title. It's disjointed an you can hear exactly where they stop and their collaborators begin.

That is how I feel. Perhaps their least impressive release for me; its competition is AHDO. This album will most likely end up ranking fifth or sixth for me. It is a solid album that I enjoy, but I just don't ever see it surpassing OWB and BF for me.

And Dubnobass and STITI are my favs by them (in my top three for albums in general) and those releases are great. Someone said that they could do without some tracks on them, but I at least like every track on both albums, if not love 'em. :D

But MK III UW is still great and it is the type of UW I've been listening to the most lately; even before I received my copy of Barking.

I guess for me, what holds me back from liking Barking more than I do is that 3 of the 9 tracks aren't too good to me. Between Stars is one of them. It is the one I like the most of those three, but it isn't too impressive to me. Grace is a track some people love, but for me it is on the weak side. It is okay. I just don't "feel it" like some others do. Scribble is the other track that is weak to me. It is a bit enjoyable; a happy tune. Grace and Scribble end up ranking last for me on this album, though. I would have liked Scribble more if it wasn't for those darn "synth stabs". : p All the other tracks are good or very good to me.

bryantm3

09-04-2010, 01:34 PM

lazy me, i haven't ordered the record yet. however, i'm almost 100% sure that i will like it better than OWB and it will compete with AHDO and BF for me. to me, OWB was by far their worst effort.

Lx_Nen

09-04-2010, 02:58 PM

An interesting set of reviews, I think it's a good sign that everyone seems to like and dislike a different set of tracks, that means it's our individual tastes showing, not a problem with the album itself.

Sappys Curry

09-04-2010, 03:49 PM

I mentioned this in another thread, but I'm sure I'll like Strumpet Groove more than Bird 1. Bird 1 is for the most part good, but I do dislike the "synth plops" that occur during most of the song. An unnecessary addition that I dislike like the "synth stabs" found in Scribble.

chems1919

09-04-2010, 06:11 PM

I've decided to wait as much as I can until my 2CD box comes in the mail, but I cheated just a little by giving myself a new "single", Grace.

I'm 100% FLOORED by Grace. This is a 10/10 track for me, everything works so well in my opinion.

It feels like a much more focused "Glam Bucket"--anyone else feeling this?

Agreed. I think Grace is the best song on the album and one of UW's finest tracks to date. The dark mood, the perfect vocals, the synth that pops during the chorus, and of course the guitar. That song is brilliant.

Sappys Curry

09-04-2010, 08:49 PM

I'm going to have to give Grace more of a chance. It may grow on me. I used to dislike Glam Bucket initially and recently I come to think of it as not bad (so I no longer dislike it).

Bargo

09-04-2010, 10:26 PM

I had a laugh reading this thread after my first listen because I too got the weird Neverending Story vibes from Diamond Jigsaw. :)

Really enjoying the album. I haven't really been paying attention to the earlier incarnations of these tracks that most of the forum seems to have heard, so it all pretty much sounds fresh to me. "Bird 1" has been in my head all day, I love it. I love soft-and-reflective Underworld, so Louisiana is almost an instant favourite for me. Beautiful track.

The main one that falls flat for me is "Hamburg Hotel" for reasons already mentioned - what we do hear sounds great, it just doesn't really seem to go anywhere so it ultimately feels unsatisfying.

Looking forward to getting the limited edition in the post soon..

the mongoose

09-05-2010, 10:08 AM

It's a fucking conspiracy I tell you!:eek:

http://i54.tinypic.com/16huw7o.png

http://i51.tinypic.com/23tm60x.png

http://i51.tinypic.com/2d8jk1w.png

http://i55.tinypic.com/puq87.png (http://i55.tinypic.com/puq87.png)

:D:cool:;)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/puq87.png)

Flywaver

09-05-2010, 03:52 PM

Blimey. Wish i hadnt mentioned Never Ending Story now. Ill be off Rick n Karls Christmas Card list. Some of the bass playing on Grace reminds me of New Order more than Diamond Jigsaw. This is a pukka album it has to be said... :cool:

testudo

09-05-2010, 04:43 PM

Diamond Jigsaw is such a weird track for me. I feel that the audience recorded Torino Fest version is the best. The album/studio version has become some sort of guilty pleasure, its cheesy in so many ways (from 80s dance through dance music now). I feel like in 20 years from now people will be discussing this track and how backwards we are now as we were in the 80s.

Yes, DJ is 80s but oh so much more (cheese). I really hope there is a single.

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-05-2010, 06:15 PM

I noticed in DJ there is one measure that plays crash on every beat (kind like on ALAF), different than the rest of the track. You can hear it at 3:56. After that one time it doesn't do it anymore. I wonder if it was a mistake??? Just seems to weirdly out of place...

I realize why I don't like it as much as the live versions we've heard...those chord changes during the chorus were a lot more powerful, now they're just glossed over. Still have to say PVD did a good job with it (especially the parts where everything kind of explodes, sounds great) but this is definitely the track I look forward to the most on disc 2.

Also just noticed that the words spoken on Scribble's "breakdown" are the same ones that Karl sings at the tune's "climax"...now I get it

Just listened to this all the way through again...it is still growing on me...I think the overall sound is not as good as previous UW albums, but track for track this is their best in a long time. A MILLION kudos for not turning up all the levels the way albums like this have been doing lately. There is not a whole lot of subtlety here but what's there comes through nicely!!!

Overall i'm thinknig 8.5/10 for this one

the-star-samurai

09-05-2010, 06:53 PM

I wrote a longer review after listening to this album more than...five times: at my last.fm~ (http://www.last.fm/user/star-samurai/journal/2010/09/04/3w51xm__septembre_2010_-_barking_barking_dog_//)

But I'm definitely warming up to some tracks more. "Hamburg Hotel", "Grace", and "Moon In Water" are ones that have to grow on me more. But for now...in love hopelessly with "Louisiana".

Sappys Curry

09-05-2010, 07:57 PM

If you count the bonus track, Louisiana and Simple Peal are my favorite tracks on the album. Next to that is Bird 1 and ALAF, then Moon in Water, Diamong Jigsaw, and Hamburg Hotel. The others may grow on me more.

chems1919

09-05-2010, 08:28 PM

There's a lot of hate toward Hamburg Hotel. Well, hate is a harsh word, I won't say that. But a lot of people seem to dislike it. I think it takes a few listens; it sounds like it would fit very well in a Riverrun release. Either way, I'm enjoying it as a nice opener to the awesome-ness that is Grace.

Sappys Curry

09-05-2010, 08:37 PM

I like Hamburg Hotel. It is good. I wonder what Hamburg Hotel Essex will be like.

potatobroth

09-05-2010, 09:02 PM

I will never understand how someone can choose Simple Peal as their favorite track on this, or any album.

stimpee

09-05-2010, 10:39 PM

Bird 1 = its a good album starter. pretty decent.
ALAF = its alright
Scribble = unlistenable pop rubbish that annoys the shit out of me. YDS was great.
Hamburg Hotel = Interesting but forgettable.
Grace = I like.
Between Stars = not bad. catchy stuff but its very poppy.
Diamond Jigsaw = its 80s Underworld mk1 cheese. Not my cuppa.
Moon In Water = its not a bad tune. im sure it will grow on me.
Louisiana = its terrible. Not a way to end an album.
Simple Peal = throwaway track and not designed to be on the album, belongs on a bside.
You Do Scribble Abbey Road = its hard and heavy hitting. a bit unproduced and its comes as a shock after Louisiana. Maybe the album needs resequencing...

not much of a review i know. this album basically gets no more than 6/10. For me as a long time Underworld fan of 16/17 years this is the worst album theyve ever released. However that doesnt make it a bad album it just means that the standards have been so high. Maybe it will grow on me. The album seems less Rick, more Karl. More collaborators, remixers. I dunno. I've bought the deluxe box so theres more to come.

Sappys Curry

09-05-2010, 11:37 PM

I will never understand how someone can choose Simple Peal as their favorite track on this, or any album.

Actually, choosing it as one of my favs on this album is a bit weird, because it really doesn't fit in with the rest of the album. If it was a track on OWB, I think it'd be in my top 3, and it wouldn't really be weird for that album; it'd fit in. It is a great ambient track, though, you gotta admit.

bas_I_am

09-06-2010, 02:20 AM

For me as a long time Underworld fan of 16/17 years this is the worst album theyve ever released.

As a long time underworld fan of 26 years (I bought doot doot when it came out... underneath the radar was one of the first 10 albums I bought when I acquired a cd player for US$300) that album would be beaucoup fish. Cups is great, but jumbo, bruce lee and king of snake dig an unsurmountable hole ultimately sinking the album into mediocrity.

For me, barking hits a home run playing on the same field where beaucoup fish miserably struck out. Both were modal shifts toward the pop spectrum. BF sounded forced- barking sounds natural.

The songs from barking stick in my head; the songs from bf are easily forgotten.

And its not just one or two songs, its all the songs. What ever song is last on when I shut off my car, is the one clanging around until I get back in.

Its a pop album... a damn good pop album.
As was underneath the radar a damn good pop album.

But then there are some "art fags" who look down on pop music as if it is some lesser form. These people miss the point. Its as if one can't adore both renoir and warhol.

Ok... I lied... the worst uw album is change the weather... that is an awful pop album.

bryantm3

09-06-2010, 05:18 AM

bryantm3

09-06-2010, 05:22 AM

i CHANGE the WETH-er, i CHANGE the WETH-er 4 u now....

miss glitch

09-06-2010, 07:32 AM

I'm pretty late to the game, but here are my first thoughts...

Bird 1 - I really loved Strumpet and this is a great version, a fantastic album opener - made me very happy. Listened to this on repeat a few times before I made it to the rest of the album :)
ALAF - I like this version a *lot* better than the live version... Definitely a grower.
Scribble - Happiest song in the world. Well, since Rez/Cowgirl anyway. Full of hope and wonder.
Hamburg Hotel - Cute little noodly IDM-y track with the barely-audible vocal samples filtering in.
Grace - By this point I was pretty choked up by how much I loved the album. Grace is amazing, very new wave.
Between Stars - Amazing! Again! So good! Excalmation marks!
Diamond Jigsaw - Oh. Okay, well at least this gave me a chance to calm down a bit. Not really my thing. Skipped after half way :/
Moon In Water - I think this is a grower... Cute.
Louisiana - I sort of like how the epic last tracks like Best Mamgu Ever, Luetin etc, but not so keen on Louisiana. But only because the rest of the album was so good and my expectations were so high.

Am still awaiting my copy so have just heard the album on Myspace - no sign of Simple Peal...

Overall - amazing, brilliant, so happy. Thanks, Underworld. <3

Buji

09-06-2010, 08:03 AM

Bird 1 - Really nice suspense, the calm before the battle track! I did prefer the Strumpet version from live shows but I am swinging more to this version, my only dislike is the synth plop!

ALAF - Really liking this in an album context, uplifting and menacing with ace production sounds fantastic on headphones too!

Scribble - I find myself skipping this track not because it's not good more because there is better tracks on the album. A great uplifting single but easily a throwaway too!

Hamburg Hotel - Doesn't really go anywhere but is a needed break between the poppier tracks and has a nice shifty beat to it, more like your daytime trendy bar music!!

Grace - Really love this track, very much leans towards Dubno for me with a modern new wave electro production to it! A lot of the vocal style reminds me of dirty epic which is great! probably my album favourite at the moment.

Between Stars - Absolute party classic, really catchy and the best possible single on the album for me, love it!

Diamond Jigsaw - Not really doing much for me mainly because of the mix of styles, I think it would have been better to commit more to one style although still a semi-decent track.

Moon In Water - Really getting the '8 Ball' vibe from this, brings out really nice moods and love the syncing of the beat and vocal. One of the best tracks on the album.

Louisiana - A nice heartfelt song, was not keen on the vocal tremelo effect at first but is growing on me, a nice listen!

Simple Peal - Loved this slice of ambience when first heard it a while back. I was in York (UK) Minster on the weekend and it had very similar ambient sounds/feel to the place! I wonder if this was recorded in a temple or some big stone building!!

Really enjoying the album, top 3 tracks for me are 'Grace', 'Between Stars' & 'Moon In Water'.
8/10

34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j

09-06-2010, 11:58 AM

As a long time underworld fan of 26 years (I bought doot doot when it came out... underneath the radar was one of the first 10 albums I bought when I acquired a cd player for US$300) that album would be beaucoup fish. Cups is great, but jumbo, bruce lee and king of snake dig an unsurmountable hole ultimately sinking the album into mediocrity.

For me, barking hits a home run playing on the same field where beaucoup fish miserably struck out. Both were modal shifts toward the pop spectrum. BF sounded forced- barking sounds natural.

The songs from barking stick in my head; the songs from bf are easily forgotten.

And its not just one or two songs, its all the songs. What ever song is last on when I shut off my car, is the one clanging around until I get back in.

Its a pop album... a damn good pop album.
As was underneath the radar a damn good pop album.

But then there are some "art fags" who look down on pop music as if it is some lesser form. These people miss the point. Its as if one can't adore both renoir and warhol.

Ok... I lied... the worst uw album is change the weather... that is an awful pop album.

Yeah, I would suspect that if you can put up with the 80's work, then this album would be right up your alley...

It kind of reminds me of the Freur album Get Us Out of Here, if you've heard it...lots of catchy tunes, nothing really deep, but always a good listen. Exactly the album I was waiting for after their last two more "downtempo" releases.

And also, Change the Weather was better than Underneath the Radar!! UtR had 3 great songs...title track, Glory Glory, and I Need a Doctor, but a lot of it was just too campy, CtW had better written tunes throughout...btw if you like that sound, please get Falco's first album Einzelhaft, it's that kind of sound done right!!

the mongoose

09-06-2010, 12:16 PM

Dubnobasswithmyheadman is Underworld's first record.:)

There was a terrible Boy George cover band using the same name in the 80's though. :p

big screen satellite

09-06-2010, 12:23 PM

There's a lot of hate toward Hamburg Hotel. Well, hate is a harsh word, I won't say that. But a lot of people seem to dislike it..

i think beacuse it does nothing and really has no meaning or relevance to this release

play it to a non devoted uw fan and it wouldn't register, imo, it just doesn't fit in with the album, it sounds to experimental and pointless

just me though - others do like it, mainly because it 'sounds' underworldish, but thats beacuse people who are not enjoying the change in style on the rest of the album - look at HH as what UW used to do and wish the whole album sounded a bit more like HH and less like a good pop album of singalong dance tunes

potatobroth

09-06-2010, 12:28 PM

I like HH, but can't help but notice how it goes nowhere. Its remniscent of a Dark & Long single track, but it doesn't develop like one of them. It's definitely not bad, but it's a bit of a let-down to itself.

freur

09-06-2010, 12:31 PM

Lousiana: As was said in a review somewhere, it sounds as if Karl has been listening to Talk Talks's Spirit of Eden. It really doesnt do anything for me ( 5 )

I totally agree, it's a Mark Hollis thing (and I love it).

leutin

09-06-2010, 02:03 PM

No scores from me and this is just quick comments from repeatedly listening to the MySpace tracks while I wait for the deluxe version to arrive. I think I'll be really happy when it lands in my hands

Bird 1 - Feels like driving through a dark tunnel from the uncertainty of Underworld's Underneath The Radar era to a more assured but menacing Underworld Dubnobass era. I hear subtle Skyscraper type drum fills from the 909 and there's a musical darkness I like. That's surely a Rick vocal sample I hear too at 1.40

ALAF - A matured version of the track we've heard evolve over the years. I wish for things like the gnarly bass from an earlier version and I don't like the vocoder & guitar breakdown but I understand this is a summer anthem and as an uplifting track it works.

Scribble - I love a bit of D&B so for me it's good to hear the lads tackle this and come out with something credible. Small Conker and A Twix and You Do Scribble was always a live highlight for me so I'm biased on all fronts with this track.

Hamburg Hotel - For me this has vibe remienscent of Little Speaker. I love that deep synth sound that kicks in at around the 3min mark.

Grace - Tightly compressed synths and bandpass filters that allow each layer to breathe in time with Karl's vocals and fluid guitar.

Between Stars - My current favourite track and one that could have continued for at least another 2 mins. It builds perfectly and that arpeggio section and sound just slays me every time it kicks in - dirty and beautiful and divine. Karl's lyrics resonate here with lines like "when the head's too far out of whack, step back, step back" and "you and me cling to the outside of the earth under a full moon"

Diamond Jigsaw - I have a feeling the Underworld version of this on the second CD will be the version that people will gravitate to more than this version.

Moon In Water - This may grow but the original version had an air and grace that this doesn't have for me at the moment. I really miss the beautiful and dreamy repeating line "And this is the time when you realise" that I remember so vividly from the webcast version.

Louisiana - I didn't want to like this and normally those drums would have made me reach for the 'off' switch. Also, that vocal effect used on a slow and musically minimal track would have had the same effect. But for some reason this track transcends all those fears and I don't know why.

Maybe it's because the balance between vocal effect and emotion is sublimely attuned? Maybe it's because I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of the piano? I honestly don't know why I love this track so much...but I do.

Thank you Rick, Karl, Darren and team Underworld. The fact that we've been able to hear many of these tracks from work-in-progress to their present previewed incarnations means a lot.

Dirty0900

09-06-2010, 02:17 PM

Bird 1 - Took a bit of getting used to, but a really good solid opener which reminds me a lot of Confusion The Waitress.

Always Loved A Film - Glad it ended up this way, the prior versions were good but didn't really go anywhere in my opinion. Love the breakdown with the "real instruments".

Scribble - I seem to be one of the few people liking this more than "You Do Scribble". I've seen YDS three times live and whilst it rocks, it doesn't go anywhere. Karl was left dancing and a bit confused as to where Rick was going with it. Glad the borrowed lyrics now have their own unique ones. Breakdown again reminds me of TMO with the snappy vocal snippets.

Hamburg Hotel - Least favourite so far, just feels like an improv from a gig that could bridge plenty of tracks together. Should have been replaced with Bamboo ;)

Grace - Wasn't sure at first, but warming to it now.

Between Stars - Enjoyed this from the bootleg of the Oakland show and this feels like a more polished version. Glad the lyrics haven't changed much either.

Diamond Jigsaw - Makes me wonder what came first, the synth stab or the guitar riff. Either way, its my favourite track on the album. Excellent breakdown again and love the lyrics.

Moon In Water - Hated the rip from the podcast. This is a much better version, but I'm still getting used to it.

Louisiana - A good track yes, but album closer? No. Maybe if worked in to the middle of the album. Feels like an OWB track really.

Simple Peal - Nice ambient stuff, glad the bonus track is this and nothing amazing I'd have to fork money out to buy seperate.

Overall, a really good fun album that is more happy than OWB and has a lot of stuff they can do on the road. All ready seen Scribble,ALAF,DJ,Bird 1 live via the iTunes gig, hoping to.

I find it strange that people are slagging off certain collabs and saying "it sounds to much like XXX". These are the same folk who wanted Downpipe on the album when it's not even an UW collab. Also find it interesting that people are assuming that when UW got the records back with the extra production on, they listened to it and said "that'll do." There is a recent interview where Karl says that after it got mastered, Rick decided to alter a track more because it was missing something.

Not my favourite album, but its finding its in to my top 3.

1 - STITI
2 - BF
3 - Barking

Andrea

09-06-2010, 05:20 PM

Some of you said: Bands evolve, some do it for the better and some for the worse.
Well, this album is definitely different but has some pure dance tracks that party people obviously like so it should be for the better.

Bird 1 - Cool opening, the music has some rare parts all the way but it´s like a flower that never comes out - after the first refrain I felt hungry for more after the second refrain I almost felt frustrated.
7/10

Always Loved A Film - If there is a love song on this albums it would be probably this one. The rhythm, the rhythm, the rhythm feels like a reward after the Bird1 teaser. I love the live versions full of energy more though. I think this going to be an U/W classic.
And I don't know if I love you more than the way you used to love me
And i don't know if i need you more than the way you used to need me
But its... Heaven... Can You Feel It? - yes, and it hurts so I almost cry every time I hear this to be honest.
I don´t know if I´ve ever heard a song with so much ups and downs at the same time. Amazing combination and very touching in every way.
9/10

Scribble - beautiful sound with much love and euphoria but You Do Scribble (http://www.youtube.com/user/UnderworldLiveTV#p/u/33/U8J7W7s2vyE) will always be the real one for me. These lyrics are a bit better than YDS but I don´t like the female vocals at all.
9/10 (with the YDS sound in mind)

Hamburg Hotel - There is a song for every soul on this Earth, isn´t it? Something happened at 2:25 but it was just a mirage I think. :)

Grace - dull music destroyed lyrics
4/10

Between Stars - not as good as ALAF or Scribble but has a similar strain
7/10

Diamond Jigsaw - I don´t know...something makes me thinking of country music every time I´m listening to it and it´s just sooo boooring but the live version is pretty bouncing
6/10

Moon In Water - Horrible vocals. The 2008 radio version made me believe that this would be a cool track.
5/5

Louisiana - I´m speechless

....and we´ll be up and we´ll be down....

khouri

09-06-2010, 05:24 PM

My initial reactions to Barking were not good. And while I've warmed up to the record after repeated listens, I'm afraid I still rate it as the worst of Underworld's full-lengths (not including Mk 1 or Fruer).

I think it's important to stress that I'm more of a pop music fan than I am an electronic/dance music fan. I love electronic music and nearly everything I listen to is electronic in nature, but I come to music with a deep appreciation of pop themes and structure. Behind Underworld, my favorite artists are groups like New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Goldfrapp, Bowie. I see a lot of criticism in this thread of tracks being bad simply by virtue of the fact that they're pop; that the "cheese" alone is enough to invite comparisons to shit like "Change the Weather". I can't get behind that philosophy.

When I first started listening to Underworld in ernest, with the music of Dubnobasswithmyheadman era, I was struct by how intricately layered all of Underworld's music was. The songs' unusually long lengths were appropriate given the depth of the music. I remember thinking, "Every new layer justifies its own existence by improving the song." I think this bears out in the live arena, where any isolated track of any Underworld song can create an emotional reaction in the audience, whether it's a drum pattern or a synth sweep or a melody or sound effect. That is what Rick Smith does better than anybody in the world.

For the most part, the songs of Barking lack this quality. That is almost certainly a consequence of its unusual production, whereby outsiders stripped out what Underworld presumably considered uncommercial and what I consider magical and replaced it with functional but ultimately unmemorable beats.

1. Bird 1. The sinister opening moments remind me of "Dark & Long", "Juanita" and "Mo Move", but the song fails to live up to that prestigious legacy. I really like the lyrics and vocal performance in this song, but the track doesn't go anywhere. I can hear some nice music hidden in here somewhere, but I don't think Dubfire was able to really make something out of this track. Neither was Rick Smith, judging from the live performances of "Strumpet". I rate this as a B-side.

2. Always Loved a Film. Arguably the biggest tragedy in the Underworld canon. There was more anticipation for a completed version of this song -- specifically, the "Silver Boots" version -- than any other, but what finally emerged is... well, not that. When I hear those early "Always Loved a Film" sounds whisper through the tinny, glittery rave noise, I think, "Why bother?" It's not that song anymore.

That said, ALAF is kind of cool. Although the backing track leaves something to be desired, Karl Hyde once again provides some solid words and singing. The break is a very nice, genuine synthpop moment. It's obvious what they were going for with this track, so I'm left with the question: why didn't they just get Stuart Price to produce it himself?

3. Scribble. I can't lie, I really hated this at first. But "Scribble" has revealed itself to me and now I wonder if it's the best track on the album. Certainly, High Contrast and Underworld mesh better together than any of the other remixers. Many layers to this song, all of them intriguing and fun -- all except Karl, I'm afraid. Lyrics are woeful and the voice-as-instrument element is negligible to the song; practically an afterthought, but not so much as the Juanita bits. Christ, "download"? Welcome to the cool, edgy internet imagery of the 1990s, ravers. The instrumental mix is plainly superior.

4. Hamburg Hotel. Complete rubbish. The "Cuddle Bunny" of Barking. There's nothing to say about this track because there's nothing there.

5. Grace. Lovely lyrics from Karl that are wasted on this by-the-numbers bit of mid-tempo synthpop. "Grace" is slightly less directionless than "Bird 1" and concludes with a bit of a guitar or bass jam that invokes vague memories of The Cure or something like that, but that's only after four minutes or so of a boring song. I don't know if Underworld's version of this would have been any better. I liked the "Telematic Peal" from the April 23 2008 broadcast but even that was lacking something. Another B-side, here.

6. Between Stars. Now this is more like it. "Between Stars" is a successful synthesis of classic Underworld with the synthpop form. The production here is not particularly inspiring but nor is it distractingly bad. The beats drive the riffs and melody and they do well enough to get the job done. The obvious complaint here is the pointless fade-out.

7. Diamond Jigsaw. Underworld really nailed it with this one, a beautiful rebirth of Underworld mk. 1 as on par with their 1980s contemporaries, only a few decades late. Paul Van Dyke lets this track speak for itself, for the most part, which is wise. The built-in sweeps, Moroder synths and uplifting vocal melody (I'm not sure what the lyrics are about, but the singing itself sounds uplifting) are all perfectly executed. I especially love that "beep.... beeeeeeeep" noise in the beginning, it's a classic Rick Smith sound effect.

I do miss the Van Halen keyboards from the live version. Played with Karl's dirty guitar, they really cemented "Diamond Jigsaw" as the bridging, transcendent song that it is. Looking forward to the bonus disc version of this more than anything else.

8. Moon in Water. We've all had those breathless moments with a newly heard Underworld song; that feeling you get where what you're hearing out of a speaker is something you've been hearing for years in your mind, you just didn't know it. The original radio broadcast of "Moon in Water" was that for me, and its butchering was what I most feared about Barking. While I'm not a fan of Juanita's performance or of how many of the beautiful words were removed in High Contrast's mix, I am very impressed with his work on the track. The new synth riff built out of "does not wait to cast its reflection" is a tiny bit of genius and creates another one of those sonic bridges between Underworld and pop. This is probably my favorite song on the album.

9. Louisiana. Even if it wasn't as good as a Sarah Mclaughlin B-side, which it very arguably isn't, "Louisiana" does not belong on Barking. I don't know what they were thinking, it's plainly incongruous and in the worst way.

10. Simple Peal. Somehow more "Underworldy" than anything else on Barking. A puzzling choice for a bonus track, to be sure, but one of my favorite bits of noodly nonsense from Rick. Honestly, I am a huge fan of this sort of Underworld material and I hope I'm able to get that disc from Karl's painting exhibition.

11. You Do Scribble (Abbey Road Version). It never occurred to me before, but YDS is a kind of drum-n-bass sequel to "Kittens". They both begin with a blistering drum section that is soon joined by a lovely synth background that turns into a break and then climaxes with some more elements. This version's "live" percussion additions als reminds of me of "Kittens", where you can hear what sounds like some live stuff being played along with the programming. The "Abbey Road" tag suggests this was created during the Oblivion with Bells sessions. I think it would have fit in well there.

m.g.

09-06-2010, 05:46 PM

Well... as an R&K fan since... erm... Doot-Doot, I was about to write pages here, but...
its full of great songs, with verses and choruses, which of the like UW have not really done since before dubno...

i love Karl's voice and he is a nice vocalist - so let the man sing... those of you who like the banging techno shit - avoid this album IT IS NOT FOR YOU - move along

anyways, people are gonna disagree but this album rocks... from Bird 1, ALAF, DJ, Between Stars, Grace - its all good...

i can see why this will not appease everyone.... but hey they boys sound like they're in a good place - let them stay there i say...

moody soundsacpes are soooo 90's...

Barking, Cracking more like!

... I couldn't have expressed what I think about Barking better than your lines, Matt :)

Great UW album... enough said.

ps : maybe you have to be an unconditional fan of New Order to think like that, no? ;)

Postal

09-06-2010, 06:43 PM

A lot of what I would have said has already been covered, so I won't rehash a lot of key points.

Bird 1 is a good opener and sounds just enough like Underworld without being a slave to traditional modes, although anyone who's been to a recent UW gig will recognize the style to some extent.

Scribble works better in its album form than in the detached radio edit, or even the full single. It gets room to breathe here.

Hamburg Hotel I'll agree is somewhat aimless, but I enjoyed it. I couldn't help but think a bit of tracks like Skym or Winjer, and while it's not the same, it evoked that mood for me, however briefly.

The highlights in the second half are, by far, Between Stars and Diamond Jigsaw. The former has gobs of energy and enthusiasm, and it helped recall the Montreal concert last year, when I heard the song played live (to great effect). The vibe carries forward in the next track. Didn't know Paul van Dyk had influenced it until now, but that would make sense.

Aaaaand then there's Louisiana.

It feels like it must be a dedication to Karl's wife or something similar, because it's very much out of step with the rest of the album. I've certainly heard worse, but between the change in style and the disconcerting use of voice modulation... yeah, it doesn't work so well, here.

I will definitely recommend this album to anyone interested in techno, and I'd say it's in the upper echelons of Underworld albums, but I'll put an asterisk at the end of my recommendation: stop before Louisiana unless you're trying to be a completist.

cacophony

09-07-2010, 07:58 AM

Here's my honest take...this is kind of like the Thriller of electro...almost every track could be a single, doesn't really fit too well as an album, but it hardly matters. No, really:

"Bird 1" is like "Wanna be Startin Somethin", nervous, sneakily funky, very wordy.
"ALAF" would be "Thriller",
"Diamond Jigasaw" is of course "Beat It",
"Grace" would be "Billie Jean" (very rhythmic, kind of apprehensive),
"Moon in Water" would be "Human Nature",
"Between Stars" would be "PYT" (great dance tune with a retro synth hook)

god...i'm a dork

i loved this analysis. :D

i'm enjoying reading everyone's reviews.

cacophony

09-07-2010, 09:12 AM

okay i told myself i wouldn't do a track-by-track review but i've enjoyed everyone else's. my opinion has improved since my initial reaction several pages ago, although i still feel like it's a disjointed collection with the feeling of a collection of singles rather than an album experience. i'm currently ranking it below all of their other releases (excluding MK1 era), aside from ADHO, which still ranks as my least favorite release. individually i ranked a lot of the tracks high but as an overall analysis of the album as a cohesive release it ranks low.

the high points: bird 1, ALAF, scribble, between stars, diamond jigsaw
the middlin' points: hamburg hotel, grace, simple peal
the low points: moon in water, louisiana

bird 1 (10/10) - i formed an intense attachment to strumpet so i'm beyond thrilled that it's on the album. i was hoping i could ditch my compressed, roomy live tracks but unfortunately the album version is missing some of the details i love from the live jam. it's missing one harmony layer of the staccato rhythmic vocal sample that runs throughout, and that's a shame since it was one of my favorite details. it's also light on the low-end on a flattened EQ, and i find myself needing to crank the bass to get any satisfaction. still, i can't stop listening to it. i wish it were longer.

ALAF (8/10) - i want to hate it. i really do, because i love the previous versions. i mean, where the hell did these poppy lyrics come from? and is karl actually singing about love?? but as much as i want to dislike it, i can't. it was stuck in my head from the moment i woke up today and every time my mind drifts off i find myself humming the hook. have i mentioned i love downpipe? probably not a coincidence that i'm hooked on the ALAF album version now.

scribble (8/10) - if i'd never heard YDS i might have ranked this a 9/10 or 10/10. i dislike the break in the middle and i find the synth stabs weirdly out of place. that said, i love happy karl and his lyrics make me smile and i want to play this one loud on a bright sunny day.

Hamburg Hotel (7/10) - my brain keeps saying "hamburger helper." i love this track for its nod to mid-90s UW. i would rank it higher but, as others have noted, it never really achieves dénouement and instead just sort of peters out. it's more of a journey for the journey's sake. it tells no story. it's a lovely journey, but i expected a story.

grace (7/10) - depeche mode? it's like ultra, black celebration and some great reward had a 3-way and spat out this lovely hybrid. seriously, i've put way too much brain power into identifying exactly which DM albums lend themselves to this track. i like it, but as a reformed modie i was bound to like it. and that 7/10 might become an 8/10 or 9/10 after several more listens. i love their exploration of this sound. it's new for them and i feel like it's successful. the more i'm writing this review the more i want to say. that's a good sign, yes? it's a thinker of a track.

between stars (10/10) - one of only two tracks that improved through collaboration. i can't get enough of this thumper. but again, ramirez and knight have a way of getting under my skin. the pacing is excellent, the instrumentation and vocalizations are strong, and it's really appealing. i wish it were longer.

diamond jigsaw (7.5/10) - biggest surprise for me, because i hated the previous version (which i called a tribute to the pointer sisters' "jump for mylove."). it's still a little too reminiscent of MK1 for my taste but it's fun as hell. i would rank it as a 6/10 based on the "verse" sections but it's a solid 9/10 during the "chorus" sections. i can respect the song as a solid composition and i get why people would like it, it just isn't quite my aesthetic preference overall. note: my husband is not an UW fan, and when he first heard this track he looked at me and said, "are we in the neverending story?" so i guess there's something to that observation! :D

moon in water (4/10) - WTF? maybe i just need to listen to this one more. i'm not trying to be a dick about it but how are people rating this one as their favorite on the album? it's grating and pretentious and i really don't understand the admiration.

louisiana (0/10) - this one joins the "UW songs i hate" club. no biggie, almost every album has a song i hate, and this one is barking's contribution. it joins river of bass, something like a mama and the hump as one of my all time least favorite songs. it's treacly and vapid and frankly if that's what i want in a song i'll go listen to charlene's "i've never been to me" because at least there's some kitsch value there.

simple peal (3/10) - booooooooring. i love a good ambient journey but this one gives me nothing. maybe i'd appreciate it more on its own but after an entire album of hard banging singles my brain isn't in the mood for this drag. i want to like it, but i'm probably going to have to listen to it separately from this album in order to build any appreciation for it.

a note on collaborators - what's the deal with adding a repetition of 3 notes of a sawtooth wave synth patch? particularly bird 1 and scribble. do these guys receive the files and go, "well i have to contribute something melodic..." and then punch out 3 notes? it's out of place.

Future Proof

09-07-2010, 12:01 PM

I don't feel like doing a track-by-track as I don't want to have to describe what the differences in the tracks are.

The problem with this album is that there's only one song that really tries to push boundaries instead of stay in a safe spot. Louisiana is the unlikely song on the album, in particular an album that owes as much if not more to Kylie Minogue and Madonna as it does sweaty warehouse floors and heady art shops. Initially I was unpleasantly surprised that such a melancholy, serious affair would close this album out, but the more I hear it, the more that I'm struck with how good it is. It shows RnK in a different light, is daring and even though I feel that they could have exercised more discretion when recording the vocals, the little breaks and fluctuations in Karl's voice are honest and real. This I feel is what some reviewers talked about when they were saying that straight-forward lyrics were a surprising fit for UW, as the only thing remotely abstract about the lyrics are the metaphors that are fairly clear to understand in the song's context.

This is a well enough and enjoyable (note this!) album but the problem is that anyone could have made this album, whereas with any of the other studio releases from MK2 and MK3 one could ever claim that. Then again, after listening to the atrocity of OWB I can't help but wonder if at this stage that the boys are played out to the point that they just can't write a solid hour's worth of music for an album anymore. But even then, OWB was honest. Just call this album "UW and friends" to get it over with, and let's see if I'm right or wrong when the outtakes album becomes available.

A harsh review, but an honest one. This is maybe the best album since Beaucoup Fish, not as good as DUBNO and certainly not as good as STITI, but those albums are tough acts to follow.

bazwint

09-08-2010, 06:07 AM

I love all the tunes that are currently in the live set. I'm also really fond of Simple Peal. Hamburg Hotel is good. Grace I've tired of really quickly after liking it initially. Moon In Water bugs me 'cos of the drawled delivery. Louisiana is unlistenable. No prizes for guessing I wish Downpipe was on there. 6.5/10

Flywaver

09-08-2010, 11:12 AM

All these comments saying Hamburg Hotel never went anywhere. Maybe you all want to listen to Cups again.... ;):eek: (que backlash)
Kittens the finest moment on BF. Cups felt rushed to me. I know someone on here will back me up with Kittens! ;)
Anyway Barking now 2nd in my top albums. Nothing will top STITI im afraid..:)

potatobroth

09-08-2010, 11:25 AM

All these comments saying Hamburg Hotel never went anywhere. Maybe you all want to listen to Cups again

Cups, the track that starts out with a see-it-in-sound walk on a city street corner, then moves into a mellow, moody and groovy track while transitioning into a slightly heavier, more layered track by slowly and methodically introducing the beats that are going to throw you to the ground at the song's MASSIVE CLIMACTIC FINISH!? That Cups?

Good lord, Cups is the epitome of a track that takes you somewhere. This isn't merely backlash, this is fact. :P

Kittens also has a climax. It has a beginning (beats) a middle (drops + keyboard intros) and a two-part ending (one where its just keyboards, and once when the drums come rolllllllllllllllllllling back in!)

For clarification, Hamburg Hotel is just like taking one section of both of those songs. Barely a begining and no ending.

Flywaver

09-08-2010, 11:27 AM

Found This http://www.facebook.com/pages/Underworlds-new-album-Barking/147434325289242?v=wall&ref=ts

Oh and Up Yours Backlash! :p

cacophony

09-08-2010, 01:55 PM

you'd best not be saying cups and kittens are anything less than brilliant. :mad:

:p

ultradave

09-08-2010, 03:22 PM

It'll be a while before I can carve my feeling in stone on this album. I will say at first listen, I'm already giving it permanent status on my iPod/iPhone/Mac/Work PC/CD Player... my only gripe is that it's under 60 minutes w/the bonus Simple Peal. Whatever happened to the 70+ minutes of Underworld I'm used to :confused:

Here's my quick albeit efficient review :D - this will change I'm sure:
Bird 1 - Big Emotion - great start - good finish
ALAF - Always Loved An Underworld Song - it just moves you
Scribble - You Do Scribble? - redrawn in color
Hamburg Hotel - catchy beat - but slightly forgettable
Grace - monotone & repetitious greatness... Holding The Mothish...
Between Stars - retro electro - freakin' awesome track
Diamond Jigsaw - can we say UW Mk1'ish... love the guitar
Moon In Water - decent - the vocals catch the beat really well - bad placement - I think it should have been placed between Grace and Between Stars
Louisiana - Out of place - however, it's a very emotional track - one of Karl's finest balads. I love it - just doesn't fit with the album - but as stated before - almost every UW album has it's out of place treatment - I think it was fitting to place it at the end.

...and that's my 02. :cool:

Cadevil

09-08-2010, 11:19 PM

Simply put, the boys obviously wanted to make a pop record and succeeded just fine. There are 5 maybe 6 potential singles here ready for the dance floor--something that their last two LPs did not deliver.

Barking and Oblivion with Bells are really two sides of the same coin. OWB is the introverted twin to the outward dancefloor celebration of Barking. Both albums release multiple songs with extremely long gestation periods...

The collaborations aren't as much of an issue as they potentially could have been. I don't think any of the guests hijacks the Underworld sound. I think Karl had previously said that OWB was the album that Rick always wanted to make...and someone else said that this album seems to be "more Karl". In the past, others have speculated the Beucoup Fish was "more Emerson". I always find it interesting to hear what people think about who influenced the album more...but I digress.

Bird 1 -- Easily the best song on the album. Nice build to the main break, which when released makes the hair on my arm stand up. Similar build as Cups, but ultimately suffers from being too short in length...really the case with many of the tracks on Barking...hence the pop tilt.

ALAF -- Faithful treatment of what has been in development for some time. Much of the angst of the original is gone, but Karl really seems to let us in here with the vocals. Something he has never done on an Underworld track.

Scribble -- Ultimately a successful "version" of a live performance that was probably never intended to be a studio track. This is a can't win situation for Rick and Karl. YDS had become such a live banging staple, but I could never see how the would convert it to an album track. Scribble is a nice reinvention, that fails to capture the energy of the original live song...something that is probably impossible.

Hamburg Hotel -- As with almost all of the non-dancefloor tracks, it suffers from the pop tilt of the record. Starts to get really interesting as it fades away. Waaayyy too short.

Grace -- Ditto on the shortness. Someone else said it's akin to Holding the Moth, and I agree...also like Sola Sistim

Between Stars -- Underworld does Exciter-era Depeche Mode. Yet probably feels the most like an Underworld track that could have been on one of their other albums. Really bangs it home.

Diamond Jigsaw -- Someone said Boy, Boy, Boy felt like a cheap attempt at a rock single on OWB, but I much preferred that to DJ. They could be next to each other on an Underworld rock disc. Really didn't like DJ at first, but it's sooo catchy...Of all the tracks, I find myself singing it throughout the day. Crazy.

Moon In Water -- A less complicated and more accessible Little Speaker. Again I think it's too short to really go anywhere, which is shame because a couple of these shorter ambient tracks could have been super-layered classics like Stagger or Tongue.

Louisiana -- After reading how they wrote this song, how could you not love it? But, I think it could have benefited from some more sonic textures a la Stagger. It just feels a bit flat for me...or maybe it's just the starkness as compared to what it is surrounded by.

Biggest differences on this album are the lyrical delivery/accessibility and the short ambient pieces that don't go far enough. The bigger songs are VERY big though.

For me UW albums rank: STITI, Dubno, OWB, Barking, BF, AHDO...depends on the day, sometimes BF would rank ahead of Barking.

cacophony

09-09-2010, 06:47 AM

sometimes i think i'm the only UW fan on planet earth who adores BF.

ultradave

09-09-2010, 11:43 AM

sometimes i think i'm the only UW fan on planet earth who adores BF.

you're not alone :).

i think every UW fan needs to take a day off of work, go to the beach, sit in the sand, and let this album pump through the wires to their inner soul. it's an amazing experience.

purlieu

09-13-2010, 06:39 AM

Right. I wasn't expecting to like this album very much.

Bird 1. My initial response - not having known any earlier versions - was 'this sounds really... Underworld'. Apart from the synth plop I can't fault this, marvellous moody but rhythmic, reminds me of Mo Move in that way (not that they sound too similar). 8

Always Loved A Film. One of the few tracks I'd heard works in progress of, I wasn't fond of the earliest versions, the strings being my favourite part of the track. The beats are a bit club friendly simplistic, but on the whole I think it's a very strong track and a good choice of single. Catchy as hell. 8

Scribble. I really, really love the synths and the vocals, but the beat and short Pendulum-like synth around the 3:15 mark are utterly unforgivable and the absolutely last thing I want from an Underworld song. It's catchy, it's uplifting, it's cheap and it's awful. I dunno. 5?

Hamburg Hotel. A really odd one, with the really 90s Underworld elements I love, coupled with the dubsteppy production which is probably the least Underworld thing on the album. On the whole, though, I think it hangs together brilliantly, and is the sort of track I wasn't expecting at all. I like this. 7.5

Grace. This one is really haunting. The earlier version is stripped back and it gives the track a completely different feel. I think I might prefer that one, but this is still excellent. 8

Between Stars. This is too much. Much too much. Too many sounds, too loud, too intense vocals, production too chunky, just... no. I'm not too taken by the song itself, but I actually struggle to listen to this. 2

Diamond Jigsaw. I've heard one bootleg, and from that, this was the track I was dreading most, especially with PvD involved. I'm not sure what it is, maybe the guitar, but somehow it came out brilliantly. I can't stop listening. So uplifting and... just wonderful. 8

Moon In Water. I remember a lovely ambienty version of this which I loved. Instead, High Contrast pressed the demo button on a keyboard and came up with this rhythm. The synth sounds like the backing track to a pop ballad. Really, really don't like this. Go away. 2

Louisiana. Ok, the vocal effect is a bit much, but otherwise, I can't actually fault this. I mentioned in another thread that, by being so different, it's the most Underworld thing on the album. Very OWB (hurrah), but also different. A beautiful song that shows the band growing on their own. Love it. 8

On the whole, it's a collection of songs, mostly very good, but disjointed. It flat out does not deliver what I want from an Underworld album, but is an album I really enjoy nonetheless. I was kind of hoping for a continuation from OWB, simply down to my preference for subtler, moodier sounds, and I don't begrudge them for doing the opposite. I do wish it hung together better - with the exception of Bird 1 and Louisiana, the track order seems fairly irrelevant. It's top-ended with singles which fits given it's an intentionally poppy album, but it just doesn't flow. My other criticism is the production often sounding unlike Underworld. There are occasional moments - Hamburg Hotel, the middle section of Scribble especially - which sound like 'classic' Underworld and do make me a little sad that a lot of the album could be Someone feat. Karl Hyde if you didn't know better. Production-wise, at least. The songs are, with a couple of exceptions, very strong and the quality is good throughout. It's an interesting album, it's a brave album, it's an album I think I'm going to enjoy time and time, but I think it'll be a difficult album to love.