01 June 2014

Underworld "Oblivion With Bells" (2007)

Oblivion With Bells
release date: Oct. 15, 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Rick Smith
label: Underworldlive.com - nationality: England, UK

7th studio album by Underworld is a self-released studio album, which has the duo engaged in the more original electronic styles of techno. It's still progressive house but they have turned up on the tech house and idm style with ambient elements.
It's both a return to their initial experiments with electronic music and a progression to include what to me sound more like original techno with trace elements, leaving the breakbeats of house. It may still be progressive but as progressive techno the album is not one of my preferred Underworld albums.
I really neglected the album for years, but I have come to see it as more than 'just' a take on original techno' as its simply more instrumental and experimental proving that Hyde and Smith are seeking new ways of expressing themselves without letting go of their known formula of tech house.
[ allmusic.com, Slant 3 / 5 stars ]