The Chemical Brothers - Singles 93-03

To remain relevant after a decade in the music industry is rare indeed; for a dance act, it's virtually unique. Singles 93-03 ably demonstrates how the Chemical Brothers have managed it. Having first carved a reputation as DJs the Dust Brothers in the early 1990s, the two history graduates narrowly avoided calling themselves the London Dust Explosion before spearheading big beat, becoming a huge live draw, collaborating with Noel Gallagher and having Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis play "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" at his wedding. It's been 10 years of fun, frolics, and gigantean left-field beats for Ed Simmons and Tom Rowland and, as this faultless singles collection testifies, continual reinvention.

From the seething siren, pounding breaks, breathy vocals and spellbinding post-acid electronica of album opener "Song to the Siren" to the ingenious collaboration with the Flaming Lips, "The Golden Path," Tom 'n' Ed have somehow managed to carve tracks that appeal equally to radio, clubs, and the live arena. Alongside the cement-cracking bass of "Leave Home" and "Block Rockin' Beats" comes the high-inducing sonic debauchery of "The Private Psychedelic Reel" and dancefloor filler "Star Guitar," to name but a few of the many highlights. Ingenious, boundary-baffling stuff, this compilation offers a hypnotic historical tour of one of the most creative careers in dance music. --Christopher Barrett Amazon.com

What gives?

This is supposed to be a singles collection not a best of collection. It says right there on the front cover. The Chemical Brothers had 12 singles hit the UK Top 40 between 1992 and 2003 and two of them are not included on this CD. Why? If you're going to release an album of singles you might want to include the ones that were most successful.

Still a good album anyway. July 21, 2008

Good compilation

I didn't have any album from Chemical Brothers so I decided to buy this. Well I am happy with it, many hits and good songs. Anyway I was expecting something more... commercial. What I mean is, there are some songs mostly the hits that you can listen to without being a Chemical Brothers fan; but there are others that I felt it was too much for me. Those kind of songs you say "this is why I can't listen a complete album from this guys".
Anyway, you want something from Chemical Brothers? Take this! March 12, 2008

Prime Compilation

A great starting point for anyone looking to discover the Chemical Brothers. Nearly all tracks succeed at rounding out this retrospective of the Brothers' body of work from the 90s. The one or two that do not reach the energy or wow of the remaining cuts do so marginally at most, and bear in mind this is my subjective take. Still this is a great compilation; after listening to this stellar package, the CB's "Push the Button" is that much more enjoyable. July 13, 2006

Great delivery great product

Good CD for the price. Did not have all the singles I was hoping for, but can't beat the price. March 2, 2006

More than Just a Dance Band

Sure, these guys have pumped out many a dance floor filler. This collection of incredible singles is an undeniable testament to that. Buy this one for the singles, and the extra disc of rare-ish material. Then prepare to fall in love with Chemical Brothers, one of the most brilliant duos in popular music. Hopefully this "Best Of" will only be a jumping off point for the curious. Digging a little deeper into their albums you will find bits of heady psychedelia, rushes of shimmering electronica, tough slabs of hip hop, moody ballds, guest vocalists galore, and more than just a few curveballs thrown your way. September 24, 2005

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