S.P.O.C.K. - 2001: A S.P.O.C.K. ODYSSEY

I am always anxious to listen to new S.P.O.C.K. releases. After they released their recovered single "Klingon 2000" they are back with a full length album, that begins where their last one  (S.P.O.C.K. 1999) ended. It is more 'dancy' and melodic and I think I am right when I call it DancePoP instead of SynthPoP. Songs like "Queen of Space", "Alien Hand Healing",  "Astrogirl's Secret" sound very groovy. With "Mr. Jones" (sang by Yo-Haan) S.P.O.C.K. made an excursion to the roots of Rock'n'Roll and defined it new as Spock'n'Roll. When listening to the whole album I sometimes had the feeling that I had heard some songs long before this release - maybe it depends on the relevant melodies. On the whole this album delivers all that a SynthPoP Fan expect from Synth- or DancePoP. But as I am a Trekkie I missed some 100 % Star-Trek related songs.

THE MOURNING AFTER - Never The Same (CD-Maxi)

This is the first release of the Swedish newcomer band "The Mourning After". "Never The Same" was made after the model of eighties SynthPoP. It starts with slow melodies and changes to danceable rhythm. The second single track "The Way You Move Me" does not sound as melodic as "Never The Same" but also rouses my interest. "Waiting Till Dawn" reminds me of Vince Clarke instrumental songs. 

I have to say that the songs sound very interesting and I hope they will release a full length album soon.

DEPECHE MODE - EXCITER

Depeche Mode describe "Exciter" as their best album so far. Well, their fist single "Dream On" was able to enter the German Charts at place 1! But people who expect to hear customary Depeche Mode music, just like "Enjoy the Silence" or "No Good", will be disappointed all along the line when listening to "Exciter" the first time. "Exciter" sounds strange and DM tries to define SynthPoP new. Depeche Mode put more focus on Dave Gahan's Voice and Martin Gore's guitare-playing. What I miss most are relevant synth-melodies in the back or as lead-melodies. Those melodies were replaced by guitar-playing and some indefinable hard synthetic sounds. DM really understand how to combine Dave Gahan's powerful and more tender voice (f.e in "Freelove") with dark and sometimes heavy melodies. 

ECHO IMAGE - Compuphonic

After the release of the excellent debut single 'Need To Be Proud' Echo Image does not disappoint with their debut album 'Compuphonic'. Catchy relevant melodies alternate with well done ballades. Echo Image are guided by classic SynthPoP but sometimes understand to freshen up their songs to come up with modern music. In some songs they experiment with some voice effects but on the whole they trust in well-tried SynthPoP architectures. In Comparison with the debut-single the album in all sounds more melancholic.

I have to recommend this album to all who like classic SynthPoP.