>MARINA SIRTIS - Delay And Depression

Marina Sirtis (band-name taken from the actor-name of the Star Trek character Counselor Deanna Troi) now present their full length debut album "Delay and Depression" which comes with 9 tracks.
Marina Sirtis make use of well selected synthesizer sounds that they put together just like puzzles - each sound depends on the other. The results are well done minimalist structures, which create a mystic, deep and warm atmosphere. The composed and straightforward singing fits well with the slow and dark musical background and reinforces the thrilling expression of the songs. Songs like "Pretending" and "Essential Voices" really give me chills as these songs seduce the listener to a world full of mysteries and you get the feeling of falling very deep into
outer-space. With "Berlin" they also prove their skills for producing danceable and playful songs containing a smaller dose of mystical qualities. "Delay and Depression" is a great album that can easily enjoy. It's a perfect combination of sounds and singing.
Well, I have to mention that it is not very suited for the dance-floor but it is capable of enhancing some quiet and lonely evenings.

ASSEMBLAGE 23 - Defiance

Defiance starts with the rather melodic track named "Opened", which almost has a catchy-tune character. It is followed by some monotonous and dark songs ("Drive", "Blindhammer", "Cocoon") until some pressing and propellant tracks like "Document" and "Fallen Down" can reclaim the listeners attention. Then the album alternates between ballads and EBM songs. One of my favorites is "Light" as its fast beats and massive electronic foundations invite you to dance. Also "Maps Of Reality" will totally satisfy EBM fans, because this song goes off like a rocket - a firework - which leaves you breathless. It's a pity that more songs like these are not available.
On the whole "Defiance" meets my expectations, with the exception of the 3 boring and
unspectacular songs at beginning.

Tome Shear increased his skills in making perfect EBM music and he now plays in the top ranks of EBM music. BRAVO!

Messages: Modern Synthpop Artists Cover Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Beside Depeche Mode, Camouflage, Erasure and New Order, OMD have been one of the sparkling SynthPoP bands of the 80s and early 90s. After the release of some Depeche Mode, Camouflage and Erasure Tribute albums, a little American label named "Ninthwave Records", has dared to tackle an OMD tribute compilation.
The result is a full-length album with about 16 tracks, performed by well known and less known international SynthPoP bands and artists (Cosmicity, Color Theory, Dark Distant Spaces, Ganymede, and others ...). The Interpretations of the OMD songs are well done, mainly because the artist tried to keep the original OMD-feeling. There are so-so covers which are still recorded in very good quality.
It's really amusing to listen to the covers of "Intact" (Secret), "Liquid Fiction" (Electricity), "Color Theory" (Hold You), "White Town" (Messages), "Dyed Emotions" (If You Leave) and "Dark Distant Spaces" (We Love You).

This compilation really gives back a little bit of the melodic eighties - very well done!