There is nothing worse than performing at a concert to an unresponsive crowd. Many artists say the energy they get to make a show "great" depends directly on the energy they get from the audience. Regardless of musical genre, an enthusiastic, anticipatory crowd is often the key ingredient to a great live recording. But with a lackadaisical audience, how can a performer really expect to create an outstanding experience for his fans?
From the very first seconds of "Everything, Everything," the new live album from British electronica wizards Underworld, listeners can tell this won't be a problem. Before the music even starts, the energy of the fans is evident; the sounds of whistles and clapping hands swell to a crescendo as these icons of "techno" music (GQ called them "the quintessential 21st century band") take the stage.
However, in regard to musical genre, the average concertgoer may not understand how live electronic music could be all that exciting. "Everything" is an album that emphatically shows that just because music emanates from machines does not mean it has to be static and predictable.
For years, the Essex, England trio of Karl Hyde, Rick Smith and DJ Darren Emerson have produced songs that feel and sound like aural adrenaline. In England, their first two albums were big hits, with sounds that took hold of dance floors and stereos across Europe.
Their big international break came with "Born Slippy NUXX," a track for the soundtrack of the film "Trainspotting." This song's mix of ethereal melody, sing-along (yet inscrutable) lyrics and head-banging beats met with worldwide approval, and many consider it to be an anthem of modern electronic music.
In 1999, the group went on to release another critically-acclaimed studio album called "Beaucoup Fish." But with the release of "Everything," the group has finally given CD listeners the benefit of hearing the spontaneity their music exudes live.
"Everything" is a mix of songs spanning their discography, and although present fans of the group will likely be interested to hear the intricate improvisations on classic songs this disc provides, it is also a good way for new listeners to get acquainted with the band's sound.
Throughout, chief songwriter Hyde belts out trademark enigmatic lyrics on tracks like "Juanita/Kiteless" and "King of Snake" while Smith and Emerson manipulate the keyboards, mixers and other jerry-rigged electronics backing him up. Smith's and Emerson's layered and intricate sounds make all the songs on this album unpredictable and worth a close listen.
For some, this unpredictability can be the album's one weak point. On one hand, many songs that were strong to begin with, like "Cups" and "Born Slippy" get re-workings that strip them of some of their most familiar and anthem-like moments.
On the other hand, songs that were perhaps weaker as album tracks such as "King of Snake" benefit greatly from a rearranged live performance, including a magical moment in "Snake" when Hyde's frantic vocals are backed by nothing but the crowd's syncopated, clapping hands. From a group that often releases half a dozen mixes of each of its singles, the album's unpredictability really comes as no surprise.
The one sad bit of news connected to this album is that Emerson has officially left the group for other projects, and thus "Everything" is most likely the last Underworld recording to include his contributions. Though Hyde and Smith are Underworld's founding members, Emerson's addition to the group in the mid-90s is widely regarded as the change that made their sound supremely unique (and popular). Though the remaining group members say they will continue to make music, Emerson's presence will no doubt be missed.
So ponder this if you will, as the beautifully engineered and intricately woven "Everything" comes to a close with frenzy-inducing versions of "Born Slippy" and "Rez/Cowgirl," the sounds of Smith's voice intermingling with those of a passionate crowd, all set to the layered sounds of Smith and Emerson, together for likely the last time. Imagine the experience of it all. And if your imagination won't allow for that, no matter; the accompanying concert film will be released later this year on video and DVD.
Grade: A
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