Now don't get me wrong. I love this band. In fact I flew to New York a few weeks ago see them live as they only played a few dates in the US. I spent hundreds on airfare and hotels and such to finally see one of their legendary live sets. They were my second to last "holy grail" of bands that I need to see live. Now I only need to see Kraftwerk in concert and I'll be happy.

And they did not disappoint at all. It was awesome. They played nearly all the songs I wanted to hear. I was able to get this album a bit early because I pre-ordered it from a link they showed on screen after the show. And I got a cool T-Shirt to boot. Needless to say, I am a fan and I was super super excited to get this one.

But Oblivion With Bells is a departure for Underworld. It is "slooww" to say the least. I actually fast forwarded through tracks, which I would have never guessed me ever doing. Virtually nothing happens on tracks 8,9, and 10. Seriously, nothing. Thankfully a "token" beat comes in for the last track. I have since gone back and listened a couple more times since. And it has grown on me. But there are few beats to be heard on this record.

This is the album I would have expected Smith and Hyde to make after Darren Emerson departed. But with A Hundred days Off they kept the energy going from Beaucoup Fish and Second Toughest. It still had some fast, mean tracks like Dinosaur Adventure 3D.

But Oblivion is slowed down. Way down. Don't be fooled by Crocodiles. It is the non representative single. And it flows right into Beautiful Burnout nicely. But the beats and hooks are quite minimal. Almost like loops for Hyde to speak over. Nothing terribly innovative really.

Oblivion has nice sounds, great production and the expected stream of conscious Karl Hyde lyrics. In fact his lyrics are brought to the forefront like never before. Very much the focus of the songs this time around. And you can make them all out this time around.

But there are no break beat-ish tracks like Pearls Girl or Something Like A Mama on this. No ten minute build up tracks like Born Slippy/NUXX or Cups. Certainly no Cowgirl on this one. But hey, that's cool. Some of those tracks are over a decade old. Cowgirl is nearly 15 years old now (wow). We can't expect the same thing over and over from these guys. But just so you know, think Push Downstairs, not Push Upstairs for this record.

If you kept up with the River Run series, this has more in common with the third release.....slow building, even a bit dull but still Underworld.

Pick it up because you love Underworld. But expect something different.

After reading the first four reviews for this album, I decided that I wanted to hear the album for myself before making the purchase. Underworld's MySpace page gives you the opportunity to hear the complete tracks. My take, as a happy owner of seven commercial CDs that the lads have put out, is that I want to continue to experience their growth. I'll start with four stars. But who knows, through repeated listenings I may even decide that Oblivion... is my new five star favorite. Yes, it's ambient and experimental; and yes, you can tell it's Underworld. Sometimes, going along for a ride to a new destination yields knowledge for those open enough to make the trip without prior judgments.
I just bought the album. Wouldn't an artist that cranked out the same 'ol stuff, year after year, be stuck in a rut anyway? The nature of the universe is change, and I'm looking forward to regularly listening to how Underworld evolves.

I have been a tremendous fan of Underworld since the Cowgirl/Dark Train EP hit shelves all the way back in 1992 or so. To compare this new output with Dubnobass or Second Toughest is simply not fair. When has a band put together a string of 2 successive albums like that? Beaucoup Fish was a strong record, and to me, 100 Days Off was simply good, far from great.

This new record is a retreat from the pounding club beats, and why not? These 2 guys are pushing 50 and scoring movie soundtracks now. Whom is left to please? I would imagine the average age of some club kid is too young to even know Underworld and their greatness. There is no reason to appeal to kids 30+ years their junior.

The waves of synths on this record is simply incredible. Think a long and protracted session of Cups and you have this record. The usual stream of nonsense from Karl is present, accept this time you can hear it. This is a marked improvement from 100 Days and, to a longtime fan like myself, a graceful way to age for this pair.

As most reviewers seem to agree, this is not something one might expect from Underworld; Darren's absence can definitely be felt. However, like SOME reviewers have allowed, I listened multiple times and it grew on me; I can honestly say I'm proud to chalk this one up as a fine release. Yes, the familiar Underworld energy may be all but missing; you won't find your "Pearls Girl" breakout here, but it doesn't translate as laziness or forced ideas; rather it comes across as a departure into more relaxed, soulful territory. Think of this album as the ringing in your ears after an amazing explosion, the echo of the thunder following a blinding bolt of lightning or the grey snow after nuclear fallout, the requiem for Darren Emerson. There's a ton to be appreciated here and I'm a lot happier to see the new Underworld duo trying new things rather than simply trying to repeat past successes with only two-thirds the ingredients; they seem to recognize that they're not the same anymore, so why should their music be the same? I think Underworld fans would have been more disappointed to have gotten this album and found tried ideas mimicked and mocked by the lack of the Emerson influence or an aging group clinging desperately to a failing career by essentially aping itself. Take this for what it is; leave it in perspective as the latest installment in a vast, amazing career of a group that has given its fans so much, and I honestly think you'll come to enjoy it and appreciate it for it's own merits. Personal highlights: "Beautiful Burnout" and "Glam Bucket." Enjoy.

I have to admit right off that Beaucoup Fish is my favorite UW album. I also have to admit to being quite disappointed in 100 Days off when it came out. Now, some years later, I have found 100 days to be much better than initial expected, and having listened even more to the earlier catalog and getting into it more than BC Fish, I suddenly "GOT IT". The dance tracks of BC Fish were an aberration, and were quite different to the norm.

That said, I think that this new album is really quite good. Crocodile and Beautiful Burnout are a wonderful epic pairing to start the album that harkens back to Juanita/Kitelss of Second Toughest. To Heal is lovely, even if it sounds like it was lifted from the intro to Where The Streets Have No Name. Ring Road is a triumphant stomper (to stomp to, not dance). Glam Bucket is some of the best ambient music they've put on an album in some time. And Best Mamgu Ever is a nice way to wrap up the album.

While this album doesn't have over the top dance tracks like BC Fish, if you really look back to UW's albums, you'll find that this album fits right in with the others in its minimalistic ambience. Coupled with the RiverRun project, they've been putting out some great stuff of late.