Disco de Underworld: “Oblivion With Bells”

After reading the first four reviews for this album, I decided that I wanted to hear the album for myself before making the purchase. Underworld's MySpace page gives you the opportunity to hear the complete tracks. My take, as a happy owner of seven commercial CDs that the lads have put out, is that I want to continue to experience their growth. I'll start with four stars. But who knows, through repeated listenings I may even decide that Oblivion... is my new five star favorite. Yes, it's ambient and experimental; and yes, you can tell it's Underworld. Sometimes, going along for a ride to a new destination yields knowledge for those open enough to make the trip without prior judgments.

I just bought the album. Wouldn't an artist that cranked out the same 'ol stuff, year after year, be stuck in a rut anyway? The nature of the universe is change, and I'm looking forward to regularly listening to how Underworld evolves.

I have been a tremendous fan of Underworld since the Cowgirl/Dark Train EP hit shelves all the way back in 1992 or so. To compare this new output with Dubnobass or Second Toughest is simply not fair. When has a band put together a string of 2 successive albums like that? Beaucoup Fish was a strong record, and to me, 100 Days Off was simply good, far from great.

This new record is a retreat from the pounding club beats, and why not? These 2 guys are pushing 50 and scoring movie soundtracks now. Whom is left to please? I would imagine the average age of some club kid is too young to even know Underworld and their greatness. There is no reason to appeal to kids 30+ years their junior.

The waves of synths on this record is simply incredible. Think a long and protracted session of Cups and you have this record. The usual stream of nonsense from Karl is present, accept this time you can hear it. This is a marked improvement from 100 Days and, to a longtime fan like myself, a graceful way to age for this pair.

Like others have said this album does remind one of Dubnobasswithmyheadman. But its a great reminder and takes the sound of that album and modernizes it. At 1st listen I immediately fell in love and it only gets better from there. There is a lot of electronic music out there and not all of it is good. This latest offering from Underworld shows us that they are still the masters of the art.

Underworld have crafted a very unique, very edgey record, but fans of old need not apply.

If you find yourself saying "Hey! Underworld! They did that great Born Slippy song! Will I like this album?" The answer is a resounding NO! You won't. But, if you have an open mind and the ability to throw out what you think Underworld should sound like, you'll be in for a hell of a treat.

Oblivion with Bells oozes with feeling and is probably best suited for a late night listen in bed. It will truely transport you to other places.

But, like I said, if you're looking for dance music, you'll just become another reviewer that says "Underworld is dead" or "This is boring!" so beware.

I cannot stand techno/dance/diva in the background music. It's boring, repetitive and lifeless. Thank [insert your god/muse/inspiration/idol here] for Underworld!

A lot of folks would classify this band as techno/dance but I see a band with much more depth. They are unlike so many bands of their ilk that employ the use of modern instrumentation. You can tell these guys have other interests like design (Tomato of course), art, jazz, architecture and poetry. They understand and can translate wonderfully words and music and the movement and motion that lie beneath. There is art and life here.

I recently purchased Oblivion With Bells and hadn't had a chance to listen to it until I spent a weekend in NYC. On a nice, crisp, fall Saturday morning, I decided to take a walk so I grabbed my iPod and off I went. I started out on the East side at 35th and 1st and was going to put on some low key rambling pop music when I remembered I had the new Underworld album. Starting with Crocodile and flowing through Best Mamgu Ever, I listened to the entire album in one walk all the way down to the East Village and through the East Village.

What an experience it was. Want to do something that is at the same time calming, exhilarating, moving and surreal? Put this album on and go for a walk in a big city where there's tons of people around. It's all here on Oblivion: emotion, wit, artistry, humor and drama.

I think one of the reasons I like Underworld so much is their ability to put you on an exquisite, sonic journey. Crocodile and then Beautiful Burnout wonderfully unfold. Oblivion continues on with the thumping of Holding the Moth to the beautiful and serene To Heal. And then we come to the surprising Ring Road where I think Underworld have written one of their most arresting choruses. The urgency of Glam Bucket changes the pace a little when Boy, Boy, Boy moves along with a slightly sinister strut. The most ethereal Cuddle Bunny vs. the Celtic Villages is the most experimental song on Oblivion. The seemingly stream of conscious Faxed Invitation juxtaposes lust with serenity. There appears to be some sadness in Good Morning Cockerel. You can't make it out but it's there. The album finishes off with the wonderfully enveloping and pulsing Best Mamgu Ever.

When I listen to Oblivion, I hear an album that is surprisingly different and more dynamic from any other album they have written. It's one of Underworld's stronger more cohesive efforts and I like the landscape/soundscape feel to it and I hope to hear more of this kind of music from Underworld in the future. I'm glad to hear an album from Underworld that is in a lot of respects, low key. A lot of critics are no doubt going to cite this album as a misguided attempt on Underworld's part to maintain or recapture a renowned status that maybe has waned a little. I don't think Underworld are at a point in their lives where they feel it's necessary to write another Born Slippy or recapture anything. As they are willing to explore, I'm willing to listen.

Oblivion with Bells is a fine addition to Underworld's incredible body of work and I highly recommend it!