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Mar 23, 2012 Web Exclusive By Lily Moayeri

A Collection is one of two retrospective compilations the duo of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, better known as Underworld, is releasing at the same time, the other being 1992 - 2012 Anthology. While these two sets feature much of the same music (other than the third disc of Anthology, which has unreleased and rare material), A Collection offers one disc of jukebox-friendly versions of familiar Underworld tracks. One of the act’s signature characteristics is their stretched out songs, which can border on the 10-minute mark. This longed out-ness of Underworld isn’t a detriment; rather, it allows for the full immersion of the listener into the stream of consciousness looped rhythms. The edits created exclusively for A Collection abort these fantastic compositions to half, and at times, a third of their intended lengths. That’s right, all your favorites amputated, cut off at the knees. This should be illegal. Just as you’re getting into the mesmerizing, druggy groove of “Jumbo,” or the chants of “lager, lager, lager” of the Trainspotting identifier, “Born Slippy (Nuxx),” it’s like someone pulled the plug out of the socket. What happened?! Why are you stopping the music at this crucial point?! It’s just plain wrong. Go to The Anthology where the songs are in their full glory and given three entire discs to fill up. (http://www.underworldlive.com)

Author rating: 3/10