When the big beat boom gradually subsi-
ded the Chemical Brothers initially sought
refuge within a carefully crafted version
of house music both epic and psychede-
lic. Still, the duo are fusion fans at heart,
and their fifth studio album, Push the But-
ton, finds them easing back to their true
love - pulverizing stylistic boundaries whi-
le they seek out clever hooks to hang
their production caps on. The first half of
the record is heavy on collaboration, be-
ginning with the clear highlight, "Galvani-
ze," which features guest Q-Tip riding a
delicious mid-tempo groove and the brot-
hers teasing out an ingenious Middle
Eastern string sample over the course of
several breakdowns and over six minutes.
"The Boxer" has ChemBros veteran Tim
Burgess of the Charlatans UK coming on
like an extroverted Steve Miller, while the
next track, "Believe," features Britpop
newcomer Kele Okereke (of Bloc Party)
agonizing over an energized electroshock
production composed of equal parts Prin-
ce and Chicago acid house. It's clear the
Chemical Brothers are still searching rest-
lessly for new sounds and new fusions;
only they could alternate a polemical hip-
hop track - "Left Right," a guest spot for
Anwar Superstar, who, incidentally, may
be the younger brother of Mos Def, but
sounds like he's been living in Jay-Z's
head for a few years - with a feature for
an indie band, the Magic Numbers ("Clo-
se Your Eyes"). Obviously, it's far more
refreshing to explore new territory rather
than merely go back over old ground; wh-
ile "Come Inside" suffers by aping their
1997 approach, the subsequent track,
"The Big Jump," finds the pair energized
with a fresh gloss on their patented sound
(although it is easy to notice how the
skronky guitars in the background are
clearly a post-electroclash development).
While there aren't as many heart-stopping
productions as on 2002's unjustly neglec-
ted Come With Us, Push the Button pro-
ves the Chemical Brothers have retained
the innate curiosity necessary to keep
them blazing trails for years to come.