Orbital - The Altogether (2001)

The Hartnoll’s used to be punks and once in a while they drop their guard to reveal the anger that so beautifully propelled that movement. With a vast electronic discography behind them you'd have thought that their rebellious side might have diminished. Listening to the Altogether however, it is obvious that there is still a big fire burning in their collective bellies. Take the album's opener 'Tension' as an example. Painting a fraught picture of bleak landscapes, the tunes driving beat careers out of control while the nondescript harsh vocal splices emits skinhead anger. While this may all sound quite interesting the reality is that 'Tension' leaves the listener somewhat detached and cold. Perhaps this was the intention because the next track 'Funny Break (One Is Enough)' is much more amiable. Ok, it may clatter along like an alley with too many trashcans but everything is glued wonderfully together by Naomi Bedford's feisty vocals that intermittedly descend from the heavens.

'Tootled' is rather disappointing. As skeletal as the skulls on the album's cover, it just about gathers the bare essentials without ever coming close to being inventive. Like 'Tension' there is a sinister undercurrent that is periodically exposed when the raging vocal vents its spleen. The song is apparently Orbital's homage to US metal band Tool with whom they've toured with. Thankfully 'Oi!' is a bit more meaty. The heavy bass like riff sets the scene and the assorted bleeps and cackles add generous spicy accompaniments. Nothing groundbreaking but groovy all the same with a minute Ian Dury sample thrown in for good measure. Midway through the album the quality quotient is bolstered by the impressive 'Doctor ?'. Perfectly evoking the aura of space travel it is the pillar in an album desperately seeking a tune that reaches for the stars. 'The Altogether' too often drags it's heels but 'Doctor ?' sounds genuinely exciting. Pity then that the best tune on the album is in fact a cover of the Doctor Who? series theme. 'Last Thing' takes the traditional Orbital template of big beats being swallowed whole by bursting rhythms and augmenting it with some beautifully serene female vocals. One can only marvel at how swell this would sound on stage. 'Shadows' is the sound of an adventure taking place in some underwater plankton forest, the frolicking chimes just bubble nicely along with playful keyboard waves adding a degree of mystique.

If 'Waving Not Drowning' was released as a single it could become the weirdest summer anthem ever. It has a huge dance potential and a skewed trippy beat that is positively intoxicating. Imagine the wackiest piece of Irish music you've ever heard put through a Hammond and you'll get the idea. 'Pay Per View' is pedestrian and limp, lounge music for people who couldn't care less. Things get even worse when 'Illuminate' rears it's nostalgic head. Sounding like a latter day Giorgio Morodor track with realistic MOR leanings it seems totally out of context. The ubiquitous David Gray (the Hartnolls brother-in-law!) provides the vocals and sadly the tune is forgotten as soon as it fades out.

Orbital have a glorious history of closing off their albums with an epic number ('Attached', 'Belfast' and 'Out There Somewhere' being prime examples). This perhaps applies a greater sheen to their long players than they truly deserve but who cares when climax's like these are so perfect. 'Meltdown' is the latest instalment but unfortunately the X factor is missing. Normally the disparate parts seamlessly gel to beguile the listener. On 'Meltdown' there is so much going on it is hard to stitch the piece together. So in the end it all gets a little raggle taggle leading to a confusing rather than a joyous listen. 'Meltdown' is not without its moments though. The computer keypad beats are wonderful and the last 2 and a half minutes contain some dazzling digital beats. 'The Altogether' is never more than a satisfactory listen. It needs one or two more genuinely thrilling tracks to make it memorable. It's just a case of the Hartnoll Brothers standing still when what the world needs is that unrestrained masterpiece they have threatened to produce for almost a decade. So with precious little progression and a lack of tunes that really cut the mustard 'The Altogether' ends up being a minor disappointment.

Rating: 6/10

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