There are two things that you'll notice right off the bat when listening to BT's latest album, These Hopeful Machines. The first is that he has (at least for the moment) turned his attention squarely back to the dance floor. As a follow-up to his largely orchestral and experimental This Binary Universe, it's a stark about face, back towards a style from earlier in his career. Not that elements from that album don't rear their head - as they do, in subtle ways - but they aren't the driving force this time around.
The second thing you'll notice is that tracks are long. Spanning out to two CDs, this album gives the old vinyl moniker of LP ("long player") a more literal meaning. Tracks are much more comfortable in the ten-minute range than they were on his past two dance-oriented albums, and the double-CD format is more a physical limitation than it is an indication of split personality. This is just a long single album with a singular aim and a lot of (good) ideas it needs to get out. You'd really have to go back to his Ima and ESCM days to find the best comparison for album structure and long-breathed song development. But that still doesn't touch on the sound of the record. What does These Hopeful Machines sound like?
In short, this new record feels like the natural amalgamation of all of his previous albums. The styles are all there, sometimes combined within the span of some of the longer tracks. "Suddenly" starts things off and delivers another one of his dance-rock hybrids. Delivering his own vocals, BT gives a strong and instantly catchy opener. It's single-ready and is a good signal that this album's aim is immediacy. And as catchy as it is, it is instantly challenged by "The Emergency", although this time with more of a club focus. This is one that will be remixed and become a club staple, mark my words.
Article comments
1 - akeorlando
I could not agree with your review more. This album is perfection, and I'm obsessed with it. I've been a long-time fan of BT's, and this record right here is one of the reasons I fell in love with electronica. I can't get enough of it; I want to drink it in.
There's a reason BT is clinically a genius, everything in the music has a place, even when there's tons going on. I just love it.
I'm only hoping he'll tour in support of the album - I need to hear these songs performed live.
2 - spoonie
Easily his best album since the non-interrupted version of Movement in Still Live (the UK version, not that horrible US clusterf*** of single tracks).
3 - royster
Good review, however it needs to be addressed that Christian Burns sings 'Suddenly' and jointly on 'Forget me'
4 - David R. Perry
Thanks, royster for the info. I actually didn't have full album credits/notes available with my review copy, so tried to fill in blanks as best I could.
Spoonie, I agree, I don't think a lot of US listeners know how good Movement "was" before it was redone...
5 - Jason
Easily one of his best albums, but when I heard it was a sequel to This Binary Universe, I expected him to continue with that style. As much as I love his dancey albums, there's something that I can't just put my finger on This Binary Universe that just puts me in such a strange...but incredible mood.
It's nice to see him taking elements from that style, and I think it show's what This Binary Universe taught him about his music, but I do sincerely look forward to his next experimental album. That said, I'll gladly be listening to this for a while. It's very good.
6 - Edna Turnblad
BT sycophants will give this album superlatives. But just listen to the mashed high frequency distortion on the chorus of "Every Other Way" and then tell me again what a genius BT is in the studio. I'm not buying it. Have you hero-worshiping lemmings actually listened to the sound quality of this album? It ain't great.