Underworld – The Riverrun Series / 2006 Underworldlive / 3 Tracks / http://www.underworldlive.com / Reviewed 23 August 2006

It has been over a decade since I first heard Underworld. The first time that I actually remember listening to them would have to be the first time I ever popped in Trainspotting and listened to “Born Slippy”. Loved that song, and even was able to grab a copy of “Underneath The Radar” on vinyl for my buddy. So Underworld and I go back, even though I have not heard much in the way from them in the last few years. “The Riverrun Series” in an interesting release, as each of the tracks could be their own complete album (or at least, long EP). Each of the “tracks” were released a decent amount of time from each other, so that individuals could have enough time to properly digest what Underworld had in storm with that specific release.

As these tracks are so long, there is no one overarching theme but rather a number of different movements in each of the here tracks, which show different facets of the band and their feelings at that specific point in time “Lovely Broken Thing” is a track that still locks Underworld in to the electronic sound that they are known for, but with a hint of ambient that shows that they have been listening to a little more Astralwerks albums in the last few months. The tracks can be repetitious to the point of being a dance song, but the great thing about the compositions in “The Riverrun Series” is that Underworld will eventually break free of that groove and create something that is completely different than that just a few minutes later. However different the segments of each composition can be with each other, there Is even more in the way of distinction that can be made between the compositions on “The Riverrun Series”.

The vocal style of “Pizza For Eggs” recalls more of the “Born Slippy” era, but a “Born Slippy” if the vocalist was in a K hole and there was someone playing Quake in the background. Underworld have not lost a ste in the years since they started being the de facto lords of the electronic scene. By creating these compositions, the band has shown that they can still recall their earlier days while growing into a mature style that is not overall nerdy or egotistical (see The Flaming Lips’ “Zaireeka” for an album that is both, with an extra dollop of condescension added to it).

Top Track: Pizza For Eggs

Rating: 6.8/10

[JMcQ]