[the mongoose]

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.