Barbara Barbara dirty reviews

[Yannick]

Barbara Barbara:

01. I Exhale : :(
02. If Rah : :(
03. Low Burn : <3 <3
04. Santiago Cuatro : meh
05. Motorhome : <3
06. Ova Nova : <3
07. Nylon Strung : <3

08. 23 Blue : :) :) :)

[dubman]

01. I Exhale : a beat that sounds like what old rockers use to show they still got it, a teeth-gritting "ohhh god" combination of decisions that i really laughed at, trying to enjoy destroying my favorite band in my head. and then i liked it? it's still not good? but i like it? maybe it's good? oh god this is how i start liking hold music.
02. If Rah : The one that found itself in a soundtrack it doesnt belong to. the one that sold itself to, i dunno, some bank ad. that big room synth is asking to end up somewhere it shouldn't, it's begging for it. i still like it ffs. it's got early 90s corny swagger.
03. Low Burn : <3 <3 the unique underworld blend of calm and vibrant that i've been conditioned to respond to with a whole lot of love since i was 13.
04. Santiago Cuatro : like a perfectly steady hand. it's fine.
05. Motorhome : thbbbbt. spare me these bad beeps.
06. Ova Nova : <3 heavy jumbo beat with all these layers murmurating together wonderfully. that little bell!
07. Nylon Strung : there's a point in an action movie that goes too long, when there's so much calamity, it just emphasizes how you're sitting in a room watching pictures do their best to excite you. it's nothing to get mad about, but it does feel like it's just playing with air. i have hope it'll click.

[Bargo]

I Exhale: Still really enjoy it. Good opener for the album.
If Rah: Perplexes me, I neither really get into it, nor dislike it. Which probably means that eventually there'll be some mood or context in which I listen to it and it'll suddenly click and I'll listen to it obsessively. But not right now.
Low Burn: Enjoy it a lot. Gives me the same sort of happy vibes as Jumbo, but lyrically it doesn't do much for me, certainly no "tiny wires in her ears, sliding through the city" that's for sure.
Santiago Cuatro: It's fine, but feels a bit like a bridge from A to B. Doesn't really feel like it possesses anything that would make me want to seek it out as an individual listen.
Motorhome: Enjoying it. Totally get the Chemical Brothers vibe mentioned in the other thread.
Ova Nova: Probably my #2 favourite on the album after I Exhale. Can see this getting a lot of repeats.
Nylon Strung: Female vocals were a surprise (not unwelcome, either). I'd like to see what they do with this in a live setting. Pretty okay as it currently stands.

The album feels like it's over far too soon. I'll be interested to see what effect the additional track has on that overall feeling.

[potatobroth]

I Exhale - :( :(
If Rah - :)
Low Burn - :) :)
Santiago Quatro - :|
Motorhome - :) :)
Ova Nova - :) :)
Nylon Strung - :)

[testudo]

I Exhale - Love the way it builds, but overall meh... sounds like a throw away track from River run :confused:
If Rah - Again Love the way it builds, but overall meh... sounds like a throw away track from River run :confused:
Low Burn - The album really start here for me :)
Santiago Quatro - :) :)
Motorhome - :)
Ova Nova - :) :) :) :) :) the explanation of this being one of the first tracks they worked on seems appropriate. Totally could have been part of the opening ceremony music for the olympics
Nylon Strung - :)

damn this album is short.

[darkvoice]

- I Exhale: Too long, no real progression and no way a worthy first single. But listening to it on headphones you discover more layers to it.
- If Rah: I like this song... :-) It gets in your head and I am mumbling the tones during the day. Also starts with a break beat and progresses into a steady house beat. Like that!
- Low Burn: This is one of my favorites and the most recognizable typical UW track? Great ambient feeling, 'Kittens' kind of percussion. Nice.
- Santiago Cuatro: First part of the song makes me really happy. But then nothing really new happens and that's a bit dissapointing.
- Motorhome: Have to listen to it more. Little bit to soft. I am missing a nasty touch to it at the end (rez / cowgirl kind of progression). Would it be great to hear them make some real noise again?
- Ova Nova: Starts to grow on me. Little bit too poppy and could have been an Air song...
- Nylon Strung: Love this song, but it does not feel Underworld. It could be a radio hit if they release it with a great video. And please no fifty year old guy jumping around in this one.

This brings me to someting else: the presentation live. Underworld's focus live is more like a band nowadays and I think the focus should be more on the music / visuals. The band on stage is not very interesting: (a nerdy Rick and a chubby Darren behind the machines with a less moving Karl next to it). I'm missing tomatos input with mind blowing visuals / special effects.

But hee.. I am in Paradiso at the end of month and I will love it ;-)

[BrotherLovesDub]

Nylon Strung is my fav. on the album, followed by Santiago Cuatro. After that i'd say Ova Nova and Motorhome, then Low Burn. Really enjoying this album right now. Nice work guys.

[potatobroth]

...followed by Santiago Cuatro.

c'mon. really?

[BrotherLovesDub]

Yes, really. I love ambient music. I love African guitar music from Mali like Boubacar Traore and Ali Farka Toure. The style of Santiago Cuatro reminds me of that. People like what they like. People don't like what they don't like.

[potatobroth]

Yes, really. I love ambient music. I love African guitar music from Mali like Boubacar Traore and Ali Farka Toure. The style of Santiago Cuatro reminds me of that. People like what they like. People don't like what they don't like.

fair enough.

[amhilde]

Im a relative newcomer to the entire Underworld back catalogue, having only really dipped in and out of interest with them since 1995 or so, and never getting as deep as I did/do with some other bands of similar vintage, so for once my musical compass is potentially more that of a newby and isnt as burdened with listening for the "traditional Underworld sound". I have plenty of other groups I do that to and it can really color your perception and turn your ears off. That being said (out of 5)-

1) I Exhale - **** - I think I like the live 6 Festival vocals better than the album but I love the big beats

2) If Rah - *** 1/2 - The live version wasn't doing it for me, but the album version had a subtlety I didn't pick up on initially that made it a better listen. It could yet click even more

3) Low Burn - ***** - This is beautiful. Five stars. Enough said.

4 Santiago Cuatro - **** surprisingly different. Sounds like a specific type of guitar made it into the car one day when Karl was packing up all sorts of stuff on purpose. I like it laid over that undulating pulse.

5) Motorhome - **** - I only just got this a few days ago and while Im not super keen on the repeating of the lyric line, I love whats going on in the background.

6) Ova Nova - *** - Not getting the love for this song. It sounds very commercial to me and somewhat dull, as though there is another band out there already doing this sound

7 Nylon Strung - *** This song went on so long I didn't realize I was still listening to it between the last two stops of my commute. I had to actually check it was the same song and that yes, I was still in fact listening to Underworld. Not real keen on this either for the same reasons as Ova Nova

Album length seems short, but I like the tightness. It does feel comprehensive and complete on the whole. Waiting to get a real good file copy and have a dedicated listen, see what happens. Also, sometimes a great live performance can make a song stand out where it didn't before - lets see what happens in Berlin!

[Yannick]

BB Part Deux in a 3, late 2016

09. :p:p
10. :o:)
11. ;):):p
12. :p:D:o
13. :eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek::cool::p
14. :rolleyes::rolleyes:;)
15. :p:p:p
16 :cool::confused::o:p
17. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: :):):)
18. :eek::eek::confused::(:D:o:p:mad:;):):o:D:(:confus ed::rolleyes::eek::cool:

[testudo]

BB Part Deux in a 3, late 2016

09. :p:p
10. :o:)
11. ;):):p
12. :p:D:o
13. :eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek::cool::p
14. :rolleyes::rolleyes:;)
15. :p:p:p
16 :cool::confused::o:p
17. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: :):):)
18. :eek::eek::confused::(:D:o:p:mad:;):):o:D:(:confus ed::rolleyes::eek::cool:

I am not sure what all this means... but I LIKE IT!

[Lx_Nen]

I am not sure what all this means... but I LIKE IT!

I think it presages the collapse of western society.

[darktrain]

I am digging nearly all the sounds on this album (unintentional? Chem Bros. aping aside), but it gets going and then just...stops. If you're not going to embrace the album format, why package these tracks into one?

[BrotherLovesDub]

I quit listening to the Chems after Dig Your Own Hole but if you could recommend me tracks of theirs that sound like Motorhome, i'd love to hear them.

[dubman]

a fair chunk of "Further" just going by memory.

[holden]

Haven't succumbed to the leak, but from the live tracks, I am very much looking forward to hearing the LP versions.
"Low Burn" and "Nylon Strung" seem to be standouts, quintessentially UW. "if rah" has a nice buildup, and "Ova Nova" has a lot of melodious layers going on.

Roll on 18th March. I'm holding out to as appreciate the older tyme joy of a physical release.

[Dirty0900]

I've not torrented it. Yet.

[crank]

BB Part Deux in a 3, late 2016

09. :p:p
10. :o:)
11. ;):):p
12. :p:D:o
13. :eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek::cool::p
14. :rolleyes::rolleyes:;)
15. :p:p:p
16 :cool::confused::o:p
17. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: :):):)
18. :eek::eek::confused::(:D:o:p:mad:;):):o:D:(:confus ed::rolleyes::eek::cool:

This means they are working on album two for the year.

[Flywaver]

I like the album.Minor gripe is i was hoping Ova Nova would be joined to Nylon Strung. Like what was done for BBC6 music set

[marcolphus]

I Exhale - good for first 4 minutes, then gets boring
If Rah - great vibe, brilliant backing vocals, I really like it. First very good track, and second best.
Low Burn - best track on album, sounds very 90s. Love it.
Santiago Cuatro - great ambient track. Third best track on album
Motorhome - nice chill, however I don't enjoy the ending - sounds too popish
Ova Nova - reminds me of 'Barking' - don't like it. Second worst track on album
Nylon Strung - too little things happens but I like the melody.

Overall - quite short, but definitely better than 'Barking'. 3 very good tracks, 2 good and 2 so-so - not bad ;-)

[ndrwrld]

BB Part Deux in a 3, late 2016

09. :p:p
10. :o:)
11. ;):):p
12. :p:D:o
13. :eek::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::eek::cool::p
14. :rolleyes::rolleyes:;)
15. :p:p:p
16 :cool::confused::o:p
17. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: :):):)
18. :eek::eek::confused::(:D:o:p:mad:;):):o:D:(:confus ed::rolleyes::eek::cool:
this is promising. i'm just not feeling most of this new album, although it does have a really lush low end feel to it.

[starfox203]

Nylon Strung is one of my favorite Underworld songs ever. I danced over and over to this song with my headphones on in the rain standing on giant rocks this weekend. Wonderful.

Also love Motorhome, Low Burn and Ova Nova. It's a good album. Give it time to grow on you.

And be patient. This is not the UW of old, but they can still bring it.

[khouri]

First impressions, which I reserve the right to reverse completely in years hence:

I Exhale: The sound of a band trying very deliberately to not sound like itself, and indeed to mock itself. The brilliance of Karl Hyde has been his way of collecting, among other things, the inanities of urban living and synthesize them into something poetic and profound. Here the inane text is simply that, announced with a Fred Schneider-like confidence that feels unsupported by the rest of the piece, and punctuated by "blahblahblahblah", which in another time would have been a tasteless critic's impersonation of Hyde. Now it's literally what he's singing. Alas.

If Rah: More of the confounding same. Sounds a bit like old LCD Soundsystem maybe.

Low Burn: The first recognizably Underworld song on the album, and one that does something interesting with the atonal concept they're been playing with on the first two tracks. Karl's voice is employed beautifully as a background element, but undermines the song when he comes back with yet more "announcing" vocals. Lyrically the words seem to have a relationship with the music this time, but they're superfluous; particularly the "Rhythm" bit. These words just get in the way of what already feels like an unnaturally compressed story of a song. That this song is so much shorter than tracks 1 and 2 is utterly bizarre to me. Low Burn feels like it wants to stretch out and breathe deeply, but this edit feels more like a hyperventilation.

Sanitago Cuatro: One of my favorite pieces of Underworld's quieter, more meditative pieces. I have no idea what its relationship is to the other songs on the record, but it's nice to have it in high quality.

Motorhome: The beginning reminds me of one of the demos showcased back in the radio days. Featuring Karl's first proper singing on the album, it's a really a nice little Underworld tune that segues weirdly into something like a vintage Chemical Brothers b-side. The least memorable song on the record.

Ova Nova: Really sublime, and a good showing from Karl in particularly -- until it just fades out and dies. I honestly thought I was mistakenly listening to an iTunes preview or something. This song is plainly meant to be much longer, and it's honestly maddening; like a television series that never airs its final episode. The 6 Music performance is much more satisfying in that way, because the song is allowed to end and progress very naturally into the closer.

Nylon Strung: The tradition of strong Underworld album closers continues here (Louisiana notwithstanding). My only criticisms of this are very nit-picky (i don't like songs that open with a really big, loud isolated vocal). Well done, more of this please.

It's very difficult to listen to this album and not think of what the band has said in the media about rebelling against their own perceptions of themselves and the way they work. This band has always been disdainful of what it's termed "looking back" or "standing still", and as someone who works in commercial entertainment it's an instinct I completely understand. In that fashion, this record is critic-proof, because the stated mission seems to have been to be less perfectionist, less brooding, less Underworld. So if I or someone else thinks it sounds unfinished, unfamiliar and even unfulfilling, then the project can be said to have succeeded in its goal.

That instinct seemed to be part of the thinking around Barking as well, where they gave the raw material of their work to other artists but were surprised to discover how faithfully Underworld-ish the music was when it came back. This album feels like Barking wasn't un-Underworld ENOUGH, so they've taken it upon themselves to go further afield. If there are spiritual and tangible rewards to be had as a result of trying very hard to not be themselves, then I'm pleased for the guys. But it's definitely a roll of the dice as far as the end listener is concerned.

[Yannick]

I took a break for a week, after reading interview and stuff, listening to solo work and a lot of old freur for some reason... I love freur a lot, I had to dig hard to find alabaster again. The first time I let a girl paint my toe. Lush 1-2-3. oh still like it :)

ps. 23b is awesome. maybe i'll preview bits when I twitch isaac later on.

[darkvoice]

If there are spiritual and tangible rewards to be had as a result of trying very hard to not be themselves, then I'm pleased for the guys. But it's definitely a roll of the dice as far as the end listener is concerned.

This is purely the case for their creative process making new music / albums.

Live is a different story: it's nice to hear the new songs, but the rest of the songs are a selection of their well know single releases (6 Music gig). I hope to hear them play lesser known tracks in Paradiso Amsterdam at the end of the month...

If not: I will enjoy them anyway ;-)

[potatobroth]

I took a break for a week... ps. 23b is awesome.

After a week+ of having the album now its gone as I expected. I almost always skip I Exhale; my album starts with If Rah. Surprisingly, I don't skip Santiago... I actually kinda like it mixed right in with the album.

Can't wait to add 23b into the mix.

[BishBash]

ps. 23b is awesome. maybe i'll preview bits when I twitch isaac later on.

That's a bit of a tease! Come on, how do we hear what you've heard? (also what does it mean to "twitch Isaac"? :o)

[Dirty0900]

That's a bit of a tease! Come on, how do we hear what you've heard? (also what does it mean to "twitch Isaac"? :o)

I'd ignore Yannick. He's a cunt who likes telling lies to people.

[saintrik]

A solid review from Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21509-barbara-barbara-we-face-a-shining-future/)...

Love this quote: "The effect is stunning, the kind of music that makes you sob happysad tears in your car in the Sunday afternoon sunlight as you think about the people you wish were riding with you."

There are some stunners in this bunch...

[Dirty0900]

Pitchfork review confirms that R&K daughters provided vocals. Poor Juanita is out of a job!

[Bargo]

Knowing that it's R&K's respective daughters providing vocals really takes Nylon Strung to another more emotional level for me. Really, really loving that track at the moment and I think it's such a great end to the album.

(and now I'm fearing that the Japan-exclusive track will kind of ruin that feeling if it appears at the end, like how Loads of Birds is nowhere near as effective of a closer as Best Mamgu Ever..)

[potatobroth]

I'm putting 23blue first, and not as a closer. :)

[BishBash]

I'm putting 23blue first, and not as a closer. :)
I think it might work after Santiago Cuatro.

[potatobroth]

I think it might work after Santiago Cuatro.

hehe agree. now after hearing it that sounds about right.

[ultradave]

Twenty Three Blue reminds me of Massive Attack. I love the heavy bass line. Overall it's pretty solid. It definitely needs to be placed somewhere in the middle. Nylon Strung is must to close the LP.

Even with the Bonus Japan track the LP still runs just under 52 minutes. The regular release of Barking was just over 53 minutes. Hopefully we'll be getting some more singles with some B-tracks... :cool:

[dubman]

I'd ignore Yannick. He's a cunt who likes telling lies to people.
and lo, the salt flows heavy still

[Bargo]

Bought the Japan itunes digital release today; Twenty Three Blue is indeed pretty great!! I agree that it'd work well just after Santiago Cuatro..

[Dirty0900]

and lo, the salt flows heavy still

Basic principle. Don't worry, I have no restless nights ;)

[potatobroth]

i already pre-ordered the US one. ugh.

[ultradave]

...so i placed twenty three blue after santiago and like many here, i will also say it fits in perfectly here. This LP is growing on me greatly. I've listened to it in it's entirety at my desk, in my car, in tiny wires in my ears and it's just filled with so many elements. No, it's not a dance LP. No, there are no major Techno anthems here. No, there are no 11 minute tracks to take you a on journey through Trance. But it's filled with substance.

After several listens, I feel alot of AHDO in this LP. It's kind of like what AHDO should have been. The good thing is, you can take the best of that era and mix it in perfectly with BB.

Yes, Underworld, you do face a shining future...

Job well done mates. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing you on stage here in California!

[Yannick]

I'd ignore Yannick. He's a cunt who likes telling lies to people.

... have a drink mate. no need to be vicious here. I like to tease yes...

[BrotherLovesDub]

twenty three blue has lyrics from king of snake right? 2:24

blue come wrap around us
come on take me home

[holden]

As is my custom, I waited until release day to listen to the album in whole. Granted, with five tracks being played live at BBC6, plus the two samplers and “I Exhale” single release, it wasn’t as anticipatory as previous albums’ first spins. Mostly, I just enjoy hearing a mastered version rather than a rip, having the physical product, and being surprised by the layers and differences from live versions. Anyway, a couple full plays in, my thoughts:

“I Exhale”: (7/10) Big, brash opener. It’s grown on me a lot since the single release. I wish there were more variety than the two-note bass and fairly static drumbeat. But the extra beats at 3:04, again at 5:07 and the many, many layers of squiggly sounds and voices make for nice headphone listening and hold my interest.

“If Rah”: (9/10) From the sampler, I thought this would be a mess. But it has one of UW’s better buildups, in my opinion. Here, a static electro bass and tinny beat don’t interfere with Karl’s lyrics (the sentiments I really enjoy). Then as the guitar and eventually the big synth melody enter, the chorus ~4” and the break 4:30 building back to euphoria layer by layer, this becomes a classic for me.

“Low Burn”: (10/10). Beautiful opening strings, somewhat menacing oscillating bassline, ping-pong blip, urgent piano and oh those pounding drums! Gorgeous vocals, simple but delivered directly from and to the soul. This track feels like it could have fit nicely on any release from Beaucoup onwards.

“Santiago Quattro”: (5/10) Like “Ess Gee” or “Blueski”, this could be considered the “guitar filler track”. It starts out promising with the drone, radio crackle and semi-mysterious pattern, but about two minutes in, Karl seemed out of ideas. I realize that this (and most of Karl’s guitar playing, in my opinion) is about feeling rather than song structure. It’s not bad, just overly long for what it accomplishes in half the time. I’d probably like it better if a beat dropped in. In fact…

“Motorhome”: (6.5/10) In same key as “Santiago”, they could have mixed “Motorhome” directly, as was the case in the second album sampler. I kind of like the hypnotic or meditative nature of this. Again, happy headphone listening to pick out the sounds. Folks have mentioned this sounding like the Chemical Brothers; agree, the horn reminds me of “Private Psychedelic Reel” and “Sunshine Underground” or some B-side from “Surrender”. The electric bass ~4:30 and piano are way up in the mix for a few bars, but succeed in transforming the track into something more joyous. Probably will take a few more spins to fully appreciate.

“Ova Nova”: (9/10) Great rolling bassline, subtle guitar, swinging beat. I love that organ that takes over! Karl’s voice and the background vocals are really strong here. Another lovely buildup, breakdown, repeat. “Connecting nations; everybody everybody change your mind!”… This feels like child of Rez/Cowgirl to me. Wish it would go on longer.

“Nylon Strung”: (10/10). Ok, I’m adult enough to admit this one moves me to tears. Stunning vocals by Esme Smith, and presumably Tyler Hyde and Rick are in the chorus as well, which just makes the sentiment “Open Me Up, I Want to Hold You Laughing/ Carry Me” so powerful. The Pitchfork review was spot on here, the track makes me think of my family and loved ones. Bittersweet, life- affirming, joyful, hopeful, etc. The perfect album closer.

“Twenty Three Blue”: (8/10) Too bad the Japanese version tacks this on at the end, ruining the mood of “Nylon Strung”. Since I’d prefer Santiago to be merged with Motorhome, and the back half of the album is so uplifting, I might try putting this after If Rah. Anyway, nice guitar riffs and dive-bomb synth bass, dark vocals to decipher. “Do you feel the cold of winter?” Yes, I feel it in this track. Why was it left off? Too typically UW? Too dark compared with the rest of the record?

Overall: 8/10. Really strong with the exception of "Santiago" and portions of "Motorhome". If “I Exhale” were shorter, “23 Blue” added, and maybe a few tracks stretched out longer, this would be amazing. But I’m liking it more than OWB and Barking, for sure.

[dubman]

i agree with pretty much all of that at this point except i rather like santiago (don't put a beat to that please) and i'm still not fully onto Nylon even though it's grown.

[TheBang]

Miki's written the "official" Born Dirty review:

https://www.borndirty.org/news/underworld/2016/03/17/born-dirty-review-underworlds-barbara-barbara-we-face-a-shining-future/

[botkiller]

I like it, but it lacks a few things:

1. No sing along worthy track. Barking had always loved a film, OWB had "Crocodile" and "beautiful burnout", this album lacks a song I want to sing along with. Karl's vocals are buried in a lot of reverb. I do enjoy the bits where he comes thru a bit more, a la the vocal change in Bruce Lee wherein his vox go from effect laden to dry as hell.

2. First 4 tracks are really tight, even with a little bit of that original sound, but it sort of falls off at track 5 and the train slows down a lot. I'm ok with this most of the time, but I felt a little tossed off the tracks after Santiago Cuatro.

3. I would be happy if the whole album were more like "low burn". It has that deep groove that I just sort of roll around in.

4. It's not very long. 45 mins? I mean, that's ok, I don't need 10 minute bangers all the time, but I'm missing some of that really bearing into the groove feel. I know, I know, Juanita/Kiteless won't happen again, and I know that, but, I still like it when I really have time to settle into the groove.

Overall, I like it, not my top album, certainly one I'll enjoy from time to time. I think of the material in post-Emerson days, I still prefer 100 days off and OWB. There was something very sad about "Barking". I was driving to Arizona once listening to that album, and I sort of wanted to cry through most of it. Scribble sort of makes me feel like I'm being punched in the bridge of the nose by something very sad. Am I the only one that hears this? I guess it's always sort of been there in UW's material, I mean, even Dirty Epic was a sad song in its own way, Born Slippy always was a little sad besides being a banger. I guess there's always been a bit of melancholy in UW's material, maybe I just pick up on it more in my later years.

That's the power of UW's music, really, and one of the major reasons that I've always loved it. I also lost a good friend of mine who really got me further into UW in the early 00s to suicide two years ago, so now listening to their music sometimes has that tinge of downness that I can't describe. That's just me.

Please keep in mind that I've been listening to UW since the mid-90s when I was just a teen, so yes, I'm probably always going to be stuck, like a needle in the record groove, on some of those things that I always really reveled in with their sound.

Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent, here. I'm always grateful when the boys release something new, so I'm certainly not ungrateful for this album. I just sometimes want that straight 909 kick with the energy of the earlier material. That's why I can go back through all of it, I guess. I do prefer to hear artists progress and grow in their sound, instead of doing the same thing over and over again. I've always been in awe of UW's ability to simply keep creating.

Thank you for making more art, Karl and Rick, and as always, please keep doing it, we're all glad that you do.

[botkiller]

I'm also listening to 23 blue now and this song, I'm all about. I would be happy with a lot more of this.

[botkiller]

...so i placed twenty three blue after santiago and like many here, i will also say it fits in perfectly here. This LP is growing on me greatly. I've listened to it in it's entirety at my desk, in my car, in tiny wires in my ears and it's just filled with so many elements. No, it's not a dance LP. No, there are no major Techno anthems here. No, there are no 11 minute tracks to take you a on journey through Trance. But it's filled with substance.

After several listens, I feel alot of AHDO in this LP. It's kind of like what AHDO should have been. The good thing is, you can take the best of that era and mix it in perfectly with BB.

Yes, Underworld, you do face a shining future...

Job well done mates. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing you on stage here in California!

I agree with this. It has a good bit of AHDO in it.

[potatobroth]

I'll never understand the decision to leave 23 blue off this album

[botkiller]

I'll never understand the decision to leave 23 blue off this album

Agreed. It's a fucking masterpiece. Maybe it was done so we'd all do what we're doing now, play with the tracklist and make our own interpretation?

[dubman]

I think because it was a tonal thing. it's a thoroughly positive and encouraging album, and while I think including 23B would be a welcome facet, I'd also understand if it was pushing against the tide and felt out of place, regardless of how good it is.

[holden]

I think because it was a tonal thing. it's a thoroughly positive and encouraging album, and while I think including 23B would be a welcome facet, I'd also understand if it was pushing against the tide and felt out of place, regardless of how good it is.

I agree. Karl's said the first few tracks are a scaffolding of rhythm and Santiago's a bit of a breather. From Motorhome to the end, it's all positivity, so it makes no sense to tack 23 Blue at the end. I have it after If Rah in my playlist, just to keep the harder stuff up front.
It's an excellent track, but seems like it would be better as a B-Side to a single than as a tacked on closer. At least Simple Peal was unobtrusive, though it also didn't fit with the mood of Barking. Ah well, they're called Bonus Tracks for a reason, I suppose.

[botkiller]

But, let's remember that Moaner finishes off BF, just after "Something like a mama", arguably one of the most amazing calm UW tracks of all time - then Moaner comes in and punches you in the face.

I don't think it's bad when the tone changes like that. I can see how this song would have changed the feeling of the end of shining future, but honestly, it would have paled in comparison to the change between Moaner coming in.

[potatobroth]

the scaffolding that I Exhale starts is repetitive and dull tho.

I shouldn't like the bonus track more than the others.

[holden]

Guess what? I fell in love with Underworld when I was 21.
Now I'm 36. We all grow older.i like the early bangers, but I love tracks that touch multiple levels...

[potatobroth]

I fell in love with underworld at 21 and am 41 now. :) doesn't change the fact that Exhale is a boring track. :p and even at 21 I loved the touching tracks. UW has always been about the hard and soft; salty and sweet. This album is missing that one salty track. The addition of 23B ALMOST fills the hole, but mainly it's the lack of a strong opening track. Exhale peaks 30 seconds in, in mediocre fashion.

I like the album... a lot. But 23B is just notch above most of the others and half of the people that buy the album won't ever hear it. I laugh at that thought.

[ultradave]

So I guess I'll chime in here too since I'm also a veteran UW fan. Been listening to them since 1995 when Cowgirl was featured in the film Hackers. I wasn't terribly into techno at the time, but I had always been a huge Depeche Mode & Kraftwerk fan, so falling in love with the sound of Underworld was obvious.

My love for Underworld really didn't come until later when I really got into Pearl's Girl being featured in The Saint. At that point I was finally introduced to Born Slippy by a friend and then I obtained STITI. Instantly became a favourite of mine and still is by far for me their greatest LP. I really can't say that I have a least favourite because each LP has 1 or 2, and in some cases 3 of my favourite UW songs.

For me, there is something about Barbara Barbara that really moves me and gives me a really positive vibe. It's like finally reaching the light at the end of the tunnel by the time Nylon Strung starts, which for me is one of my favourite UW tracks now. I even have my wife and kids humming along to it, which makes the emotions run high.

My 2 daughters (4 & 10) had me repeating If Rah today. I love it! :D

[botkiller]

Guess what? I fell in love with Underworld when I was 21.
Now I'm 36. We all grow older.i like the early bangers, but I love tracks that touch multiple levels...

I'm not trying to say that age determines things, and it's good to progress one's art. I'm glad that UW does and can, let's face it; they are literally probably the ONLY dance music outfit, save for FSOL, who can continue to make art, not just make songs to please radio and DJs. That is a huge fucking thing. I try to do that and I can't even get like one person to listen to my fucking music. I'm grateful that they change, evolve, and progress -- but the simple fact exists that many of us are UW fans from the 90s on and one way or another, we're going to be affected by changes in the sound, just as I was when KMFDM changed their sound in the early 00s. I still love both bands with all my heart, but it's in different ways.

I love shining future, it's not my top album, but that album always has and will be Everything Everything, because of the many memories that I associate with it. I'm fairly certain that album saved my life a good many times.

[holden]

I'm not trying to say that age determines things, and it's good to progress one's art. I'm glad that UW does and can, let's face it; they are literally probably the ONLY dance music outfit, save for FSOL, who can continue to make art, not just make songs to please radio and DJs. That is a huge fucking thing. I try to do that and I can't even get like one person to listen to my fucking music. I'm grateful that they change, evolve, and progress -- but the simple fact exists that many of us are UW fans from the 90s on and one way or another, we're going to be affected by changes in the sound, just as I was when KMFDM changed their sound in the early 00s. I still love both bands with all my heart, but it's in different ways.


Totally agree. Our musical tastes change, as do the styles of the musicians and producers. Each UW album, save maybe Barking, has exhibited aspects of new style, different inspiration, and in all cases, embraced change. Though you and I have our own reasons for preferring certain phases, albums or songs, ID like to think that most of the folks who've been dirties for awhile are able to at least appreciate R & K's efforts.

Anyway.... After a week and many, many listens, I'm struck by how much stringed instruments are on BB. Karl mentioned bringing in a lot of different, sometimes difficult to play instruments. I think the variety shows, and the organic playing adds nice depth.

[Rog]

it's.......ok...........

[Dunwho]

I have held off on any sort of a review till now, just to let it sink in a bit. I have also listened to OWB and Barking to compare it to their most recent releases, and I have to say I am delighted with it.

It is a nice length. Not a length I'd like if they were still making Techno/House music, but for the type of music they have on this album it is right. It the sort of short length you get with the latest Radiohead albums - short powerful songs that don't linger too long (except maybe for I Exhale)

After listening to this, and then listening back to Barking, it just highlighted again how little I felt I wanted to listen to Barking... I knew the moment I heard it that I would only ever dip back into 1 or 2 songs on a semi-regular basis... as an album it was never going to grab me. It just didn't feel right.

But BBWFSF does have a listenable and expressive quality which will get me listening over and over. I am delighted with it. I actually really like I Exhale and If Rah ... I think they are really strong and fun and have a lot of elements with which the band *could* play around with live... (not that they look like they will)

I am also a fan of the repetitious vocals and building rhythms that are at the core of the whole album. It is a development on that idea which they infused with their Tech/house/acid style of the 90s and 00s.. but have now incorporated it into their more narrative based stuff since OWB.

Comparing this to OWB I am delighted to hear the same experimental vibe in both albums.. I think more accurately it relates to the flow they built with the Riverrun series. Except again they are resting more on narrative forms with verse and chorus, and stringed instruments.

Barking fell flat for me.. it seemed caught up in achieving a commercial mix between what they are generally known for (LAGER LAGER LAGER), the feeling they wanted to achieve (Two Months Off), and the actual music they wanted to make at the time (UW Mk1, pop music)...

This time around they seem to have ditched that vein effort to keep trying to achieve what people expect from them and just went for what they wanted to do. What resulted is a more honest record (Like OWB) that has a lot more heart and asks a lot more of the listener rather than simply trying to please.

I like it, I will listen to it a lot and I am delighted they are even still doing all of this. Which is what I am most thankful for.

[DaddyAdv]

Book version arrived today, after first listen trough:
I Exhale: "hello, we're different this time" is the purpose of this one. It's grown very much on me, I like the sonic quality.
If Rah: similar simplicity of I Exhale, I love the riff that goes from guitar to super-saw synth. Not sure about "luna luna luna ..."
Low Burn: Beautiful and epic, typical UW, but way too short. A why "the rhythm" again ?
Santiago Cuatro: still need to get the point apart from being a filler
Motorhome: first felt like "Edgeland" to me, but can't really complain. It's a good self-standing track.
Ova Nova: hate the fade out, it looses its good momentum and goes .. nowhere
Nylon Strung: probably the best track for me, it's not missing anything or is cut away too early.

Overall: a good album, positively surprised me, bit short in the end.
But: R&K don't have to proove anything anymore, I'm glad they still make their music and try to push boundaries and play with expectations.

[myrrh]

I always envisioned Underworld as the audio side of a greater art project. So, I think this album is pretty good. I like the thick full sound and it feels very now to me. With this I mean that if, back in 1995, I would have tried to imagined what Underworld would sound like in twenty years, this would be it. My favorite track is Santiago Cuatro.

My only criticism would be on the live shows if this the direction. Underworld should stop playing Nuxx and Rez/Cowgirl and Pearls Girl etc. Instead just go all down tempo jam out for most shows.

[rohanworth]

Book version arrived today, after first listen trough:
I Exhale: "hello, we're different this time" is the purpose of this one. It's grown very much on me, I like the sonic quality.
If Rah: similar simplicity of I Exhale, I love the riff that goes from guitar to super-saw synth. Not sure about "luna luna luna ..."
Low Burn: Beautiful and epic, typical UW, but way too short. A why "the rhythm" again ?
Santiago Cuatro: still need to get the point apart from being a filler
Motorhome: first felt like "Edgeland" to me, but can't really complain. It's a good self-standing track.
Ova Nova: hate the fade out, it looses its good momentum and goes .. nowhere
Nylon Strung: probably the best track for me, it's not missing anything or is cut away too early.

Overall: a good album, positively surprised me, bit short in the end.
But: R&K don't have to proove anything anymore, I'm glad they still make their music and try to push boundaries and play with expectations.

Agree with a lot of the above actually; specially re 'luna,luna, luna' :), and Nylon Strung is starting really kick in for me in that simple hypnotic deep way.

[mothra]

Hope everyone is good.

I have listened to the album through speakers and headphones and straight away connected with tracks 1-5. On headphones the album is a much deeper and richer experience, but I do wish that Ova nova and Nylon strung had kept the tone a bit darker, as at times it gets a tad too house for me, but I can appreciate it for what it is.
I am like a dog where if Underworld goes above a certain tone and pitch then I run away whimpering and recall that horrendous track on Barking Between Stars ow ow ow. ;)

[//\/\/]

... have a drink mate. no need to be vicious here. I like to tease yes...

Teasing's one thing; but you took people's money and disappeared.

[kagenaki koe]

Every time Motorhome is playing, I get this image of Kylo Ren in his private quarters on the Star Destroyer dusting off his gandpappy's mangled helmet while quietly humming "....keep away from the dark siiiiiiiii......"

[potatobroth]

Between Stars ow ow ow. ;)

easily one of my least favorite Underworld tracks.

[mothra]

ooofffff:(

[mothra]

oh heck thought you said one of your most favorite!!!! sorry menopause:D
It upsets me so much, they are better than house and do not need the cheesy tones that a couple of their recent tracks including BS contain. Motorhome is lovely and reminds me of an electrified Edgelands, Take care all

[Rog]

Teasing's one thing; but you took people's money and disappeared.

true!

[amhilde]

Whoa.

I had forgotten ( I know!) that I had asked the Mr to put 23B on my ipod (which would probably explain the nagging feeling all week that I was forgetting something) and by chance today I had shuffle on by accident as I was listening to Barbara, walking to get something for lunch. Motorhome was playing and then all of a sudden (I think my finger grazed the touch screen) this crazy, amazing, dark track came on. Pulled the ipod out of my pocket thinking "gee, I don't remember Motorhome taking this dark turn..." and realized it was my unlistened-to 23B.

I think I listened to it at least another 7 times this afternoon.

This track is the ultimate, night in the city, upper deck of an empty bus riding in the rain song. Its so deep, so dark, dirty, and layered, just how I like my electronic-based music. In fact, frankly, it sounds like what Depeche Mode were attempting to do on their last three albums but were never able to reach even close to these heights and balance of guitar and electronic (and lets face it, Martin probably wouldn't have had the right lyrics for this either, even if they had a decent producer. Yes I remain jaded about the Hillier choice). Absolutely love it.

Pity they aren't playing it instead of maybe taking off eight ball and faxed invitation. Maybe in Japan....?

[potatobroth]

Pity they aren't playing it instead of maybe taking off eight ball and faxed invitation. Maybe in Japan....?

Total agreement. I think this song would be so amazing live.

It's jumped up to my favorite track on BB. (i still have it right after Santiago.)

[botkiller]

Interestingly enough, this album made me go back to OWB, and I'm realizing how much I love that album. It's not a through and through listen for me, I skip some tracks, but, overall, that album is goddamn amazing.

I mean, everything UW does, is. I want to be clear; I will always love Underworld.

[dss]

Surprised this didn't get mentioned overnight. Thought I'd check in this morning and find everyone livid. Interview with High Contrast on his involvement with BBWFASF...

https://ukf.com/words/high-contrast-new-single-new-album-new-label/15917

Let’s start with Underworld. Really interesting album. It stops really suddenly after seven tracks and made me want more!
That was the plan. They’re an unconventional act; they’re always looking at how to do things differently. A lot of people overload their albums these days; for example hip-hop albums sometimes have 18-20 tracks and, if you’re honest, you can chop out at least four or five. 45 minutes is about the right time to expect people to invest in listening to an album. It doesn’t have to be that epic hour and twenty minute slog. One thing they didn’t anticipate was that a lot of reactions from people were that they listened to it again straight away. There was a huge amount of attention paid to the arrangement and flow of the album and tracks were lost due to that too. There was a real emphasis on not making anything overblown.

What did your role as co-producer comprise? I had them down as producers anyway…
We’ve worked together before and get along really well. Obviously there’s the Welsh connection and a lot of shared interests but they’re such great pros with real history with tips about music and life in general. I was more than happy to get on board when they asked me to come along and lend a fresh pair of ears. They wrote the songs together then asked me to come in and help get perspective on things and add an extra 10 percent here and there. The tracks would start out 15 minutes long. I’d go in and get a structure down to five minutes then Rick would pull it back to eight minutes or so. They’re real artists, there was no consideration about making anything radio friendly or marketable or more commercial in any way. The mission was simple: let’s make the most beautiful record we possibly can.

[potatobroth]

I still keep 23bfirmly after Santiago and feel the album is much stronger with it in.

[34958hq439-qjw9v5jq298v5j]

Welp, here's mine:

https://critterjams.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/underworld-barbara-barbara-we-face-a-shining-future-2016/

[Andrea]

Pure magical Underworld sound. The first two songs are maybe not the ones I have on replay but the rest are awesome and filling up my car with happiness these days.

[ndrwrld]

Low Burn is awesome...favorite track.
reminds me of Peach Tree, which is my top 5.

[botkiller]

Currently re-listening again for the first time in awhile... enjoying it a lot more now.

[Total Longo]

I love this album now after being a bit "meh" about it for a long time. Low Burn and Nylon Strung are still my favourites, but overall it's a strong record. I even like If Rah now, which i never thought would happen initially. My only real gripe is the seven track length, it feels a bit like being shortchanged in terms of say, a CD, but fits much better on vinyl.

[holden]

It occurs to me that the album is now over a year old. And I still love it! Yes, it's too short. Yes, it would benefit from the inclusion of 23 Blue. But as it is, I like it as a cohesive record. A bit of nostalgia and a bit of forward looking.

[jetpig]

I haven't put in my 0.02 yet. Great record. Motorhome is the only part I'm not thrilled to hear. It's... okayyyy, but it's definitely the low point on the album. I too wish 23 blue was included at least SOMEWHERE besides the vinyl and japan. Not having it on spotify is rather a bummer.

Ova Nova is my favorite without a doubt, but this album is filled with songs that will become classics. While there's not a single chance of this album reaching the legendary status of the 90s albums among the public at large, it is in my opinion possibly one of their best and most cohesive front to back.

[dubman]

Still a great album that i don't think about enough. might put it on at work today. I still don't like Motorhome, and the lyrics to Nylon and Low Burn have grated a little more over time but i'm still into it. the rest is fantastic