By the time the triumphant final expansive push to the end arrives, it’s become one of Underworld’s most powerful musical statements--and the memorable grace note to a strong return to form.
Barbara Barbara is an ideal way for them to restate their currency. Having lain dormant, the creature is alive once more, electrifyingly so.[Apr 2016, p.103]
Barbara, the duo's first album of original material together in five years, often stacks up with their best work and suggests that the ideas they pioneered in the '90s aren't just back en vogue--they've held up amid decades of fast-moving techno.
My real rating is an 8, but I've given a 10 to counteract the rubbish "1" in red that some idiot gave this. This album isn't in the sameMy real rating is an 8, but I've given a 10 to counteract the rubbish "1" in red that some idiot gave this. This album isn't in the same league as Toughest in the Infants, and and there aren't the same wow-level earworms like Slippy or Pearl's Girl, but it is much better than anything that came afterwards and I can easily see "I Exhale" featured in the opening credits of Danny Boyle's sequel to Trainspotting. It's coming, and we all know it would be incomplete without an Underworld montage. This album is both immediately satisfying and a grower. EDM needs more "intellectual" artistry, and this carries that torch.…Expand
Очень хороший альбом, особенно на фоне их прошлых работ. Такой добрый, светлый, хотя и нового тут ничего нет, отдаёт концом 90-х–начале 00-х,Очень хороший альбом, особенно на фоне их прошлых работ. Такой добрый, светлый, хотя и нового тут ничего нет, отдаёт концом 90-х–начале 00-х, но в хорошем смысле/ Ставлю 9, но реальная оценка 8-8.5. Это всё из-за того человека, который поставил этому альбому 0, ты неадекват.…Expand
This album is beautiful electronica. Each track shimmers and shines with grace and poise. It's awesome that musicians who've been recordingThis album is beautiful electronica. Each track shimmers and shines with grace and poise. It's awesome that musicians who've been recording this long (35 years if you include Freur) can still come up with such amazing, original, inspiring music.…Expand
Underworld's work is, at the same time, both iconic and underrated. Most people know the British electronica duo as the authors of theUnderworld's work is, at the same time, both iconic and underrated. Most people know the British electronica duo as the authors of the 'Trainspotting' theme –a landmark in EDM and rave culture–, but care to see well beyond this particular piece. Outlandish. 'Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future' proves –once again– that the band's talent is unlimited, and adds a whole new set of great songs to their repertoire. Songs which prove that, at almost 60 years-old, both Rick Smith and Karl Hyde aren't outdated. No. They are very much alive and up-to-date, despite continuing on with an eclectic formula that started back in 1993, with 'Dubnobasswithmyheadman'. Of course, having aged and survived dark times (check out Consequence of Sound's interview with Karl Hyde), the duo's sound has had a few trade-offs: less raw energy, more focused brilliance (e.g. "If Rah" and "Low Burn"); less boisterous beats, more mellow notes (e.g. "Ova Nova" and "Nylon Strung"). Nonetheless, it is still quintessential Underworld, at its finest. Calling a recent album 'a timeless piece of art that will endure the test of time' may seem a little misplaced, even reckless. This is not the case: 'Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future' will certainly achieve it. See you in ten years!…Expand
Underworld's best release since Beaucoup Fish. Not like it's the most prolific work ever, but (1) every song is different and arresting on itsUnderworld's best release since Beaucoup Fish. Not like it's the most prolific work ever, but (1) every song is different and arresting on its own merits, and (2) Karl Hyde still knows how to build up walls of synthesizers in order to set defined moods. The opener is, for example, a muscular loop of beats and distorted synths that paints a very chaotic, maybe even apocalyptic, scenario, just to have Hyde later singing very optimistic lines ("Life is a touch/Everything is golden"). Amusing contrast. Underworld isn't running out of ideas. If anything, the opposite may be true.…Expand
Unfortunately Underworld lost their energy. Its a soft album. The thing that fascinated me, which used to be the energy mixed with hypnoticUnfortunately Underworld lost their energy. Its a soft album. The thing that fascinated me, which used to be the energy mixed with hypnotic states, is no longer here. A Hundred Days Off was already less powerful. Barking was definitely one step down for me. Too "melodic". I hope they can come back to "the good old days". Still have hope. Despite this, I will listen to Barbara more carefully. I might be wrong...…Expand
A real disappointment! Each song sounds the same, all in the same dreary tempo. It's amazing that the same band that released Beaucoup fishA real disappointment! Each song sounds the same, all in the same dreary tempo. It's amazing that the same band that released Beaucoup fish and other amazing albums has written this sleeper.…Expand
Preview over 30 noteworthy albums scheduled for release in the coming weeks, including new LPs from PJ Harvey, Deftones, M83, Weezer, Underworld, The Field, Gwen Stefani, Parquet Courts, and more.
Published: March 9, 2016Preview over 30 noteworthy albums scheduled for release in the coming weeks, including new LPs from PJ Harvey, Deftones, M83, Weezer, Underworld, The Field, Gwen Stefani, Parquet Courts, and more.