We Are the Night

When the Chemical Brothers debuted in 1995 with their stunning first album, EXIT PLANET DUST, they virtually plotted electronic music's ascent into the mainstream. Their fresh take on breaks-based big-beat electronica--mixing elements of hip-hop, acid house, and hard rock--would win them both critical and popular accolades, and propel them to arena-sized stages around the world. Now, with the electronic and rock worlds fully bridged, the Chemicals offer us a more nuanced version of musical fusion on WE ARE THE NIGHT (2007).
The cut-and-paste musical radicalism of their hip-hop influenced past is now mitigated by the silky-smooth tech-R&B strains of disco, house, and their futuristic variants. On "Do It Again," modernized electro-funk beats churn robotically against guest vocalist Ali Love's appropriately dispassionate delivery. Reminiscent of the call-and-response verse/chorus rapping delivery of many dance-floor R&B hits, its appeal to pop audiences seems insured. Other tracks are definitive nods to their underground dance roots. The growling acid-house synths of "Saturate" blend seamlessly with bombastic stadium-rock drums. A peak-hour dance-floor slayer, it proves the Chemicals still have an assured footing with DJs and electronica purists. Proving again that electronic music need not wear a hair shirt to have a purpose; the Chemicals have delivered another vital blast of block-rocking beats for electronic party-people.