I have always had a split relationship with the Chemical Brothers. I have all of their albums, but on most of those albums, there's always a couple songs I skip to get to the good stuff. Well, let me be the first to say that "Push the Button" is entirely unskippable. There's nothing on here I wouldn't want to miss. I really wish they'd waited until after this album came out to release their greatest hits compilation seeing as how a few of these babies should be included.

Opening track "Galvanize" sets the mood with a pounding rhythm backed by rapper Q-Tip and a bizarre Middle Eastern string sample. "The Boxer" features the Brothers' hooking up with Tim Burgess for the first time since "Life is Sweet" and the song is, indeed, very sweet. "Believe" is a throbbing seven-minute stunner that belongs on each and every dance floor. "Hold Tight London" brings the Middle Eastern sound back as "Come Inside" brings the heavy beats, making it my favorite track on the album.

I'd talk all about the rest of the album, but you really just need to hear it for yourself. Bottom line is if you're interested in hearing a new sound for 2005, "Push the Button" is a great way to start.

Also, for anyone concerned, "Surface to Air" sounds a lot like The Strokes' "The Modern Age," but I doubt it's sampled in it. It's probably just a coincidence.

THIS CD COMES WITH THAT NEW COPY CONTROLLED TECHNOLOGY WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO PLAY THE CD IN MY WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER. HENCH YOU CAN NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING BUT THIS CD IN ONE SITTING USING SOME PLAYER THAT COMES WITH THE CD. IF YOU WANT TO MIX THESE SONGS IN WITH YOUR OTHER MUSIC FORGET IT. DO NOT BUY ANY CDS THAT SUPPORT THIS TECHNOLOGY.

One of the first things you will notice about this record, with the big beat boom subsiding, is that they've covered some of this ground before. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. The mixes held within are tightly constructed, and are backed with the extremely high standard of production and engineering that the Brothers are known for. They haven't forgot how to embrace the listener with their unique brand of stylistic tranquillity. Although, some of this ground has been covered before, much of the album is very original.

The first half is filled with collaborative efforts. Q-Tip is featured on the album opener "Galvanize". "The Boxer" features Tim Burgess of the Charlatans UK. "Believe" features Britpop Kele Okereke of Bloc Party. The first half is heavy on a solid mixture of break beats, acid house, fusion and trip hop. Guest rapper Anwar Superstar is featured on "Left Right", proving that you can still slam George W. Bush even if you're in the UK. There is a definite mood shift latter on in the album. Tracks like "Close Your Eyes," "Marvo Ging," and "Surface to Air," which are mostly instrumentals, rank among the best tracks on the album.

"Push The Button" has some definite lasting power, proving once again that the Chemical Brothers are musical pioneers. Although there isn't much that compares to the underrated heart-stopping production of "Come With Us", there is plenty here to keep listeners coming back for years to come.

I must mention somewhere that I am perhaps the biggest Canadian fan of the Chemical Brothers alive, owning a total of over 20 albums/singles/vynils, so I know what these guys are up to. I have been ever since the "Exit Planet Dust" times and probably always will be.

The Chemical Brothers propelled the Big Beat era like no other band has, and sadly these days are over. Throughout this album we can hear that they're rooting for their old sound all the while still keeping their chin up and playing the game. The overall sound of 'Push the Button' is very close to what made their early albums so great, with a few 'crowd pleasers' thrown here and there, but they're pretty good and the will to sell albums is totally understandable.

However I must say I am amazed by the reviews people are writing of this album. It seems to me that the Bros. have been trying very hard to go with the flow and not become outdated. Their last 3 albums (including this one) encompass a strange melting pot of roots and album sellers but I've found this one to be more enjoyable than 'Come With Us' and 'Surrender' were. They finally sound like the good old band you used to love so much again, with the occasional slippage that come with the vocals.

The vocals always seemed a bit forced on many of the latter Bros album and on 'Push the Button', it is no different. Some of the vocals on this album dangle on the side of hip-hop and it really is something I would rather have not had to cope with. Now I know that rap sells and that everyone and their mother seems to like it, but as a fan and as someone who does not enjoy it, I was really annoyed by the occasional intrusions.

As a whole though, the album is very enjoyable and I recommend at least a listen to both neophytes and fans alike. It is very different from the current crop of new pop releases and even from the current trends in electronica. If I had not known their previous material I might have said it's "totally original and refreshing!", which in a way, is true.

I picked up this album the day it came out (1-25-05) and I've listened to it all the way through two or three times by now (1-26-05). My overall impression has been very good.

The Chems incorporate varying musical styles on this album, from rap to (almost) piano rock. This prevents the album from having a very unified feel, and makes it seem more like a collection of tracks than an album. This is hardly a problem as the tracks are so well done that you can become completely absorbed in each song.

The album kicks off with the first single, Galvanize, which is a solid track for the most part. Q-Tip does the vocals and I always like his stuff, but the track gets a little repetitive after the midpoint with some needless repetition of the album title.

The Boxer is probably one of the best tracks on the album. I've listened to it on repeat like 6 or 7 times and it's just fun to listen to. Excellent piano-based song with great vocals and an awesome beat all combine extremely well.

The Chemical Brothers tend to put one really long track that seems to go on a journey on each album, and Surface To Air is this album's entry. At just over over 7 minutes long it never gets boring and is really uplifting. I can't say what's sampled on it, but it sounds amazing.

The rest of the album ranges from decent to amazing, with noticible high points at Hold Tight London and Close Your Eyes.

In all this album is a rock-solid entry by the Chems and a must have for any electronic music fan.