[Cadevil]

[COLOR=black]I know most of these "thoughts" on the album were posted weeks ago...I reserved my judgment until I had a solid week of non-stop listening...Here goes.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]I think OwB works pretty solidly as a cohesive album. Tracks seem to flow in natural order (especially the first 3 as others have pointed out). Some great experiments in the second half of the disc. Many work quite well, few don't.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Crocodile--A great choice for the album opener. As synth upon synth arpegiates over the other, Underworld welcome us all home. A bangin' track that harkens back to some of the best UW bangers in the catalog.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Beautiful Burnout--Everyone has pretty much said all there is to say about this guy. It's been refined for many years and it's a beautiful, subdued dance track. I find it interesting that UW kept it back for so long--working and working on it until it was exactly where they wantedit to be.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Holding the Moth--I loved the Globe track from the day it appeared as a download from the Akademic concert. Great vocals/lyrics by Karl, and minimalist approach by Rick.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]To Heal--I know I'll get flamed for this, but I really don't think this track works at all. When it comes on I sort of tune out and quickly become bored. Could have benefited with just a little bit more going on.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Ring Road--Yeah, the comparisons to the Streets make sense for the first 20-30 seconds of the track, but Karl finds his flow fast after that, and this turns into one of those interesting experiments that work well. Rick's writing is great, but the entire song depends on Karl's delivery. The chorus turns this song into something very special. I think the Streets impersonation at the start is quite purposeful. A "quasi-hip hop" 8-ball.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Glam Bucket--Not quite sure how I rank this song. It certainly keeps me interested. Would love to here a clean live version with the guitar accompaniment (a la Denver). To me it's like Rowla's friendlier little brother...or a lullaby version of Rowla.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Boy, Boy, Boy--Another risk at being flamed, but I think this is a great rock song, complete with distorted guitars. Though, UW are not a traditional rock band, I think they really pulled one off here. No surprise that this is getting a single release. I can imagine the boys in Abbey Road really rocking out with this number.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Cuddle Bunny--Can't get into it. Like To Heal, I simply tune out. People have compared both of these tracks to the Riverrun...For what it's worth, I was a big fan of RR and I'm not a big fan of either of these.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Faxed Invitation--The start of this track turns me off, but I like it more as it goes on. Could have benefited from further development, but a good start to the "epic" & melancholic OwB finale suite[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Good Morning Cockerel--Wow...The piano and lyrical delivery of this track make the hair on my arm stand up. Ranks up there with some of the best down-tempo stuff UW have ever released. Akin to Most 'Ospitable, Tongue, Born Slippy '03 down mix.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]Best Mamgu Ever--Dark and eerie blend of cut-up lyrics and piano at the start. Like someone smashed together Ancient Phat Farm Coat and a diced up slowed down version of Cowgirl. A good experimental piece that again arrests my thoughts.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black]I think OwB is a great offering by the boys. It sounds VERY dark to me (I've always liked the darker, dirtier side of UW more). The brightest spot here is Ring Road (even that has a touch of melancholy). The "bangers" are a bit absent as compared to past albums, which I can see would bother some fans...but it doesn't bother me one bit. Sadly, I don't know if OwB will attract many new fans because it doesn't have a commercial side to it. But it's a fantastic treat for those who appreciate the "full album" massiveness of an Underworld treatise.[/COLOR]