I couldn't really get into this band's 7", and I feel the same way about this CD. It's just not my thing. Now, don't get me wrong... I love 80's synth pop. And I love quirky rock music. But I don't love the combination of the two. Granted the 80's elements of this CD can't hold a candle to anything that actually existed in the 80's, and I still have to give this band credit for managing to do this whole retro style in their own bizarre and interesting manner without coming off as annoying. But all the same, I just can't really get into it at all. There's definitely less of the rock here, heading more in a keyboard driven direction that's equally, if not more unusual... but the songs aren't really catchy or memorable (though "RBK" does come close). I can't tell what they're going for. I assume they're trying to be sort of weird, in which case they've won the war, but... that doesn't necessarily make for an enjoyable set of songs. The recording is okay. It has a dated sort of feel to it, which I assume was intentional. But aside from a few gaps in the mix, everything sounds natural and effective to me. The bass tone is a little too defined, so it lacks actual low-end and contributes to the open space in the center of the mix, but I think thickening that up would solve all of those issues just fine. The layout is wild, all done in shades of bright orange and blue, including an opaque orange CD tray. I don't think the presentation as a whole looks all that hot, but it damn sure jumps out at you. The lyrics are interesting to me just because they're suggestive, but strange and oddly cryptic: "Note to half-grin for the tip-out side got some things for the out-of-towner patrol, The portside tonight in the street as well as the plaza hoped for kids what's brought us together wobbling from micro-pushers..." Say what? I can't buy a clue with this one. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?
[Slave]
Running time - 27:23, Tracks: 12
[Notable tracks: The First Time is Yours, RBK]
Slave - http://www.slavemagazine.com
