Distorted vocals, sounds, and minds.

Previously I had heard The Chemical Brothers's "Exit Planet Dust" which I rather enjoyed, but this album is superior in many ways. Some of the sounds on the aforementioned album previewed what was in store (the weird spacey synth noise on 'Chicos Groove' and Beth Orton's vocals) but "Dig Your Own Hole" is a few steps beyond.

This album clearly made electronica more mainstream, especially in the U.S. I can remember hearing 'Block Rocking Beats' and briefly seeing the video for 'Setting Sun' before being struck with the feeling of amazement at the weird sounds I was hearing. Keep in mind this was 1997, and my previous experience with music involved Third Eye Blind (the first album I bought.) Now when I heard those songs I am delighted with it all. This album is all about pushing the boundaries of sound and what music can sound like. The droning bass of 'It Doesn't Matter' pounds away at your brain and leaves a gaping, silent hole in your mind when it ends. The entirety of 'Setting Sun' sounds like a hellish nightmare you might have had as a child, with its sliding, droning wail and the great vocal talents of Noel Gallagher (of Oasis). And if I ever though I'd describe anything but a guitar as having a buzz saw noise (a cliched remark made by many a reviewer during the alternative rock craze of the mid 90's) I probably wouldn't have ever heard the end of 'Where Do I Begin.'

Some of the tracks drag on a little, but it is much more tolerable for some reason. Maybe it's the interesting production or beats; it's hard to say. This album is simply a great moment in the history of music, and justifies the electronica genre alone, for me at least. I wouldn't say this album is the "Sgt. Peppers..." or "Dark Side Of The Moon" for electronica, but it certainly is a great album.

I think the Chemical Brothers really captured something when they made this album. It combines all the thumping beats of typical dance music (house, breakbeat) with the more ambient and experimental side of electronica sub genres (ambient, IDM-intelligent dance music) and comes up with something both sides can appreciate.

Highlights: 'Setting Sun', 'Private Psychedelic Reel'