LEIAHDORUS - Ashes ashes ...

Leiahdorus is one-man newcomer (Jason Smith) under the label of "A Different Drum". Jason Smith's debut album was produced by Joey Belville of "The Echoing Green". "Ashes ashes . " is an amazing album that comes with a wealth of surprises and innovations. It starts with the song "Indigent" which is based on a massive sound background combined with smooth and clear singing that is supported by "Chrissy Franklin" of "The Echoing Green". The second song "Wake" starts with a playful piano intro and continues with melodic, smooth melodies. With the track "Wake" Jason Smith really understands how to put the listener under a spell and keep him caught in his mysterious world of sensitive compositions.
"Ashes ashes ." also includes some tracks that are built on danceable beats with a solid synthetic background ("Jupiter", "I've Never Seen The Sun Before") where singing was kept discreet in the foreground. In "Dissection Of Man" classical piano playing has an important role and alternates with synthetic melodies. I only know this sensitive combination of piano playing and synthetic melodies from Color Theory.

"Ashes ashes ." is a very demanding album that creates mysterious soundscapes which seduce the listener into a mystical world of magic.

DAYS OF FATE - Nervous Tmes CDM

It really has been a long time since Days Of Fate were able to release a new single. The last release (full-length album "Gates") was way back in 1996. This release comes with 3 remixes of "Nervous Times", one B-side track "The Time is Right" and 2 remixes of the New Order cover "Bizzare Love Triangle". During the last 6 years "Days Of Fate" did not change their style, the singing and the music are the same. "Nervous Times" consists of dark singing to a danceable beat.
"Bizzare Love Triangle" is a well-done cover and is in no way inferior to the original. The remixes and also the b-side can convince. In comparison to "Gates" the vocals were improved but while listening to the acoustic version of "Nervous Times" you will still recognize a noticeably weak vocal style.

Anyway "Nervous Times" is quite a good release and it will serve as a primer for the forthcoming full-length album.

NNB - Blind? E.P.

NNB (stands for Nam Nam Bulu) comes from Zurich, Switzerland and was founded in January 2002. They immediately started to produce their first E.P. called "Blind?". "Blind?" includes 6 tracks that represent very danceable music ("Now Or Never", "Surviving", "Nightmares") but also melancholic ballads ("Ignorance", "Gardian Angel").
The band creates music that is based on conventional SynthPoP music structures. NNB did not try to experiment with alternative soundscapes and they utilized the standard SynthPoP approach. But thanks to the deep and very clear voice of the singer their music has a unique character. NNB understands how to create a well-balanced relation between singing and melodies. For example in "Guardian Angel" the background music absolutely fits with the very melodic singing and the melodies are a useful completion that delivers a solid base for singing.

Well, "Blind?" had me hooked the entire time I listened to it and I am looking forward to future releases by NNB.

DE/VISION - Live 95 & 96

This is a re-released 2CD album that consists of the 1995 ("Moments We Share live") and 1996 ("Fairylive!") live recordings. The sound quality of the live cuts is very good; also the mixing does not destroy the live atmosphere. The live-performance of De/vision could convince thanks to Steffen's good singing. "Fairylive!" isn't a totally live cut as it only consists of 11 songs which sometimes fade in and out. This 2CD live-album is a must for each De/vision fan and shouldn't be missed in a good SynthPoP collection.