I visited my brother the other week while he was in the process of adding songs to his new iPod touch. 

I sat across as he played with his new toy, hoping he would seek my advice on what was the best Chemical Brothers album to download or maybe a what albums do you recommend? (no chance). 

Then, much to my chagrin, he starts cherry picking the good songs (or more accurately - the songs he knows from the Chemical Brothers album Surrender).  I start to tell him that the whole album is great.  He ignores my advice.

Then I start to tell him that he should download it all… before I get a steely glare that says: ‘Don’t you come in to my house and tell me what songs to put on my new present.’

So I bite my tongue. 

I don’t tell him that the album is a complete piece of work and should be listened to as such.  That it is a labour of love by the band.  A collection of ideas that will become a statement of where they were for that two year period.  It could encompass what they were listening to, what they were influenced by, maybe even the state of the world at this time.

The track listing would be carefully thought out and discussed.  Any tracks deemed not worthy or don’t fit with the overall message or tone may be discarded.

 

All this effort and more went into modern day masterpieces like OK Computer, Revolver, Dark Side of the Moon, London Calling – you get my drift.

Well for the sake of sibling unity I said fuck all. 

Instead I sat in silent horror as my own flesh and blood decimated the complete piece of work that is the Chemical Brothers ‘Surrender’ turning it into a four track ep.  What’s more he showed complete disregard for the gravity of what he had just done!

I sighed as I watched my brother, in his own small way, contribute to the death of the album as an art-form.

He returned my gaze with one of his own that said simply:

‘Get a life you sad cunt’.

Posted In Midweek Comment, Feb 17 2010. Words - The Ginger