PET SHOP BOYS - Release

The Pet Shop Boys (PSB) are back with an exciting and demanding album. I never expected such an album by PSB, therefore I really was surprised. PSB are well known as Trendsetters as the 80s are back (80s musicals in Europe). And this album is 80s influenced. It is also the first time that PSB use more electric and acoustic guitars and 'natural' instruments (for example in 'I Get Along' or 'Birthday Boy'). They themselves said that they now make the kind of music they never wanted to make.
As we know Chris Lowe has a preference for ballades. Ballades are really dominating 'Release'. The result is a sensitive and a pleasant sounding album that has no bad tracks. My favorites are 'Home And Dry' and 'Here', which consist of wonderful synthetic melodies with melancholic singing.

My Tip: Also buy the Remix Single Edition of 'Home And Try' as it includes the 'Ambient Mix' of 'Home And Try', the 'UK radio version' and 'Friburn & Urik Hi Pass Mix) of the song 'Break 4 Love'.

Lean back and enjoy!

APOPTYGMA BERZERK - Harmonizer

This is the sixth album by APB that is available as a domestic and limited edition. The limited edition comes with the original version of 'Unicorn' in addition to 11 tracks.
I really had mixed emotions when listening to this album as it includes some useable songs ('Something I Should Know', 'Unicorn', 'Until The End Of The World', 'Spin dizzy' and maybe 'Rollergirl') and lots of superfluous experimental tracks, which aren't useful for anything - maybe for an answering machine. I also criticized this in my review for 'Welcome To Earth', but it seems that Stephan Groth did not have an ear for my complaints. In my opinion, Stephan did the same mistake with Harmonizer as I am sure that nobody wants to listen to songs like 'Photoshop Sucks' or 'Detroit Tickets'. Therefore you often have to push the fast-forward or rewind button. If you have a DVD Video/Audio Player you are on the losing side as you are not able to program the Player :-(.
The useable songs I mention above cannot deliver a long-term pleasure, because based on mainstream techno elements, simple architectures they are no more interesting after several playbacks. 'Rollergirl' sounds like a production of Gigi D'Agostino and is at best suitable for Techno-Parties.

The two Single releases of "Until the End of The World" deliver some promising remixes by 'Shiller' or 'Martin Eyerer' and others.

On the whole I am very disappointed by this album.

My Recommendation: Just buy the Single Releases and the APBL 2000 DVD, which delivers high quality sound, Live-Acts and some scenes behind the stage (review coming soon)!

MESH - Who Watches Over Me?

This is the sixth release by Mesh from Bristol / England, but now under a new label (Columbia - Sony Music Entertainment). Mesh got the award for the 'Best Album of Month' at the Zillo and by Sonic Seducer magazine. If you know Mesh, you will recognize that this album does not deliver something new or experimental. It seems that Mesh found their style and try to keep it at the same high quality level. In comparison to their first album 'In This Place Forever' the songs are more melodic and smoother. Danceable and 'fast-beat' songs (for example 'Retaliation', 'Friends Like These') are dominating. But fans of sensitive music will also find their tracks (for example 'Four Walls' or I Can't Imagine How It Hurts'). With 'Who Watches Over Me?', Mesh prove that they can write the most wonderful refrains. When listening to 'Friends Like These' it always gives me the creeps as the melodic melodies get under my skin - GREAT!!!

Mesh is still my most favorite band - maybe for eternity!

Equatronic - plas:tique

This is the third full length album by the German SynthPoP band Equatronic that comes with 12 brand new tracks and 1 QuickTime Video for the song "Heart of Stone". The songs on Plas:tique are 'equatronic-like' very melodic and can't conceal a little Erasure-Influence. Equatronic gave more focus to the wonderful female soprano background singer who also has her own solo-song named "Seven Spaces". Maybe some people will find the female singing too mawkish but I think it goes well with the very joyful and amusing songs. Plas:tique is a very varied album that covers all styles of music from 'lollipop-styled' songs (Eisberg) to melancholic ballades (Future, Blind Spot) to danceable songs with hard beats (Prayer, Kiss My Feet) and demanding songs accompanied with violin and kettledrum (Summer Song, Scar).

Listener, prepare for a catchy tune-attack!