Zer0

Some of the best nights I've ever had we're spent sat around an outdoor fire with some old friends in someone's back garden on a mild summer night. We would tell stories about some unforgettable or hilarious moments and reminisce about other times. All the while beers were drunk, spliffs were passed and the fire always managed to keep going. Our taste in music varied, we were a mixture of open-minded rock fans and electro-loving art students tied together by a love for creativity, debate and occasional soft drugs. One band that seemed to be the default, go-to band for us was The Chemical Brothers. Nothing seemed to unite us more than them and Dig Your Own Hole was quite often the soundtrack.

The Chemical Brothers have had a long, up and down career. While they seemed to have run out of ideas over the past decade or so, the Holy Trinity of their first three albums, Exit Planet Dust, Dig Your Own Hole and Surrender are tough to beat and are a staple of dance music. For me the classic Dig Your Own Hole is their crowning glory. The whole album plays almost like a DJ set which makes it perfect for parties as each song flows seamlessly into the next. There's something for everyone here; pop and hip-hop fans might be drawn to the funky undertones and unforgettable vocal samples while rock fans could be drawn to the harder-edged nature of some of the tracks, such as 'Block Rockin' Beats' and the Noel Gallagher-fronted 'Setting Sun'. Bass-heads might love the sub-woofer molesting basslines of the magnificent 'Elektrobank' and 'It Doesn't Matter'.

It's an album for the head as well as the body. Beth Orton's laid-back and soothing vocals make an appearance on the comedown track 'Where Do I Begin'. Coming after the volley of dancefloor dirtying tracks that precede it, 'Where Do I Begin' gives the listener a relapse, a chance for them to catch their breath and reflect. They will need to before the epic final track. 'The Private Psychedelic Reel' is a masterclass in transportation. Just when you thought you were coming back down to earth you are whisked back off the ground again to somewhere you've never been before. What follows is peak after peak of emotional highs, colourful and psychedelic eastern-tinged samples and samples of Formula One cars whizzing by you. It's The Chemical Brothers' finest moment, a classic example of what dance music can achieve and one of my favourite album-enders of all time.

The album artwork is also a favourite of mine. I have tendency to love simple black and white album covers and this ticks the box nicely. Despite being a relatively simple cover there's an air of mystery to it. The girl on the cover appears to have her eyes closed and is deep in thought. I wonder what she's thinking. Dig Your Hole is a relatively accessible album for those wishing to get into electronic and dance music yet is packed with detail and stands the test of time remarkably well. It's the perfect gateway album.

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