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 Caught in the Carousel - "There will be music despite everything"
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Underworld
Barking
Om Records
When a band has been around as long as Underworld has been, with every new release there is always the risk that the music will be stale and lacking imagination. This is particularly problematic of artists in the electronic genre and various subgenres, in which innovation is an essential quality. And while Underworld’s latest release, Barking, will not change the face of dance music, for the most part its solid, pulsing beat coupled with Karl Hyde’s cool, distant vocals will get you on the dance floor. Standout tracks include the opener “Bird 1” with its dense, pounding feel, and “Always Loved a Film,” which builds up to an insanely catchy chorus. Similarly, the throbbing “Grace” has a dark intensity to it, which, combined with Hyde’s nonchalant delivery make for an intriguing track. The complex “Scribble” has a soaring quality that tends to the dramatic, while the heavy beat of “Between Stars” draws you in. Less successful, is the harder edged “Diamond Jigsaw,” which falls slightly flat. Ending the album on a bizarre note, the soft, ballad-like “Louisiana” with Hyde’s odd, trembling vocals, doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the album. The best tracks here are the hard-hitting dance anthems which make you want to move. And those alone make Barking worth a listen.
—Jessica Simons
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