Like their heroes Kraftwerk, Underworld's Karl Hyde and Rick Smith appear to work in a completely sterile environment, unbothered by charts or sales projections or label concerns about their marketing abilities. They simply reemerge periodically with another full-length of precise but swinging techno, with vocals that somehow create a rather plaintive sense of detachment (Radiohead's similarity in this area should not be overlooked). More than 2002's A Hundred Days Off or 1998's Beaucoup Fish, Oblivion with Bells harks back to Underworld's 1993 rebirth with the epic Dubnobasswithmyheadman. (Even the cover design and accordion-style liner notes are similar.) The acid techno is firmly in place, with little or no regard for developments in the form after the '80s. Still, unlike other electronica mainstays who have occasionally revealed a little weariness -- either from trying to change or trying to stay the same -- Underworld never sound particularly tired on Oblivion with Bells. Granted, the music is less innovative than before, and also more quiet, which makes Hyde's vocals more critical than they've ever been. Unfortunately, however, they don't benefit from the scrutiny. "Ring Road" and "Holding the Moth" are particularly odd, utilizing Underworld's usual cut-and-paste phraseology, but with productions and performances that never come together like their classics "Dark & Long" or "Pearls Girl."
Underworld are well and truly back. It was a blistering 2007 for Rick & Karl having played Hollywood Bowl, Central Park and a sell out UK tour. Their latest new studio album ‘Oblivion With Bells’ has been heralded as their best album since the seminal ‘Dubnobasswithmyheadman’. Now comes the second single from the album, “Beautiful Burnout”, which has become a firm live favourite, and w
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Reviews have been tepid about Underworld's new disc Oblivion With Bells - but I think it's the most vital thing they've done in years. A Hundred Days Off had moments, particularly Lutein, but too often settled into sedated programming endlessness (i.e., the title track, you can almost hear them press "repeat" halfway through).Here they've got variety and vitality the whole way through. At halfw...
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Don't you just hate it when a album you've owned for months, sneaks up behind you in a dimly lit rooms and screams in your ear; I'M BLOODY BRILLIANT, ME!There should be some sort of warning......Glam Bucket
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Underworld are well and truly back. It was a blistering 2007 for Rick & Karl having played Hollywood Bowl, Central Park and a sell out UK tour. Their latest new studio album ‘Oblivion With Bells’ has been heralded as their best album since the seminal ‘Dubnobasswithmyheadman’. Now comes the second single from the album, “Beautiful Burnout”, which has become a firm live favourite, and w
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Underworld has contracted some sort of "severe illness" that has forced the cancellation of the rest of their Europe tour. It sounds like their is quite the throat infection going around. I was sick for two weeks straight, and there have been numerous reports of singers canceling shows due to this bug. I hope the members of Underworld get better soon. This tour has been so eagerly anticipat...
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Underworld uploaded the new video for "Boy, Boy, Boy" to their myspace this week. The song is off Oblivion With Bells and the video is directed by Simon Taylor.Underworld - Boy, Boy, Boyhttp://www.myspace.com/underworld
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CNet's Download.com has just added Underworld's newest album Oblivion With Bells to their site. That means that you can now listen to all of the songs off the new album as an audio stream. You can also listen to the new Mum album, newish Baby Elephant, and a playlist of artists who participated in last weekend's Lovefest in SF.Here's a short video that I filmed at Underworld's SF concert in S...
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Reviews have been tepid about Underworld's new disc Oblivion With Bells - but I think it's the most vital thing they've done in years. A Hundred Days Off had moments, particularly Lutein, but too often settled into sedated programming endlessness (i.e., the title track, you can almost hear them press "repeat" halfway through).Here they've got variety and vitality the whole way through. At halfw...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Crocodile |
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| 2 Beautiful Burnout |
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| 3 Holding the Moth |
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| 4 To Heal |
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| 5 Ring Road |
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| 6 Glam Bucket |
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| 7 Boy, Boy, Boy |
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| 8 Cuddle Bunny vs the Celtic Villages |
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| 9 Faxed Invitation |
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| 10 Good Morning Cockerel |
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| 11 Best Mamgu Ever |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Oblivion with Bells")
