New Concept - The Outer Gates

"The Outer Gates" represents the second full-length album by the German band New Concept. The debut-album "Wheel Of Love", which was released in 2000, was a great musical success. With "The Outer Gates" they successfully live up to it's predecessor. "The Outer Gates" sounds more melodic and is features a large number of very melodic songs. The use of a vocoder for alternating the voice during the opening song "U Stop Me" is a question of taste. In my opinion the singer's clear and wide-ranging voice does not have to be concealed by a vocoder.

Anyway, "The Outer Gates" satisfy the listeners with very melancholic songs representing catchy tunes. Also the use of acoustic guitars is freshening up the otherwise "cold" pure electronic instrumentals. Some critical listeners will observe that "New Concept" are slowly drifting into ordinary pop music. Well, they are making a well-done tightrope walk between commercial pop and alternative music. As I love melancholic songs supported by catchy melodies and singing, I am very appreciate the path "New Concept" are moving toward. "New Concept" has a good knack for producing empathetic ballads that perfectly fit with the singer's memorable high voice. Ballads like "U2 night", "Wonderful Star", "Sky" and "Live And Die" are able to conquer the listener's heart and are creating an unmistakable warm mood. Beside those ballads and mid-tempo tracks "New Concept" surprise the listener with very catchy and danceable songs like "Waiting", "Station Man", "Live Is Blind" and the "rough version " remix of the track "Sky". Especially the "rough version" of Sky represents an absolutely different view of the song and proves how versatile the music by New Concept is.

On the whole "New Concept" released a worthy successor that is more "poppy" and more commercial than the debut album and represents very pleasant light fare.

Neuropa - Born (limited edition)

After an almost three-year break the Australian band Neuropa is back with a new full-length album that is featuring 11 brand-new songs including a 2004 version of the so far unreleased song "Away". For real SynthPoP fans, Neuropa also released a 500 piece limited edition, which includes additional 9 remixes of the album songs. The remixes are made by "A Modern Effigy", DJ RAM and the Argentine newcomer "Sequencia".

Maybe some SynthPoP listeners remember the Swedish band "Elegant Machinery" which was well-known during the early 90s. In the end of the 90s "Elegant Machinery" disbanded and left behind a gap concerning classic 80s influenced SynthPoP music. Since Neuropa released their first album "New Faith" in 1997 they filled that gap with more melodic SynthPoP music supported by much better singing.

On "Born" Neuropa, alias Jason Last and Albert Martinez, still kept their 80s influenced style which is based on minimalist synth-compositions implemented with "vintage" but brilliant synthesizer sounds. "Born" satisfies the listener with consistently melodic songs with catchy refrains and efficient beats. When listening to their music, especially to the songs "Control", "The Only One", "There For You" and "Standing Still In Time" I am always closing my eyes and diving into the world of the mid 80s and looking melancholy back to my early days. But beside those song, they also show their skill in producing up-to-date song structures which are supported by guitar riffs (played by Albert Martinez) (e.g. Nothing Left To You).
I also have to mention the very good remixes which are included on the additional disc of the limited edition. Most of the remixes are still keeping with the typical Neuropa style, but some also successfully updated the original versions with modern sounds (e.g. Control (lavish mix), The Only One (a modern effigy remix), The Only One (sequencia remix)).

Born is Neuropa's best album so far and an absolute must for each SynthPoP addict and those who want to get in touch with the feeling of the "New Romantics" era of the early to mid 80s. BRAVO Neuropa - Born is a direct hit!

Pet Shop Boys - Flamboyant CDM 1 + 2

The cd single "Flamboyant" is the second extraction of the "Best-Of" album PopArt which was released in late November 2003. With "Flamboyant" the Pet Shop Boys are making musical trip back to the 80s. For this song the two London guys are using simple synthesizer sounds for their minimalist compositions. This combination results in a catchy and classic SynthPoP song which gives pleasure to each SynthPoP addict. I want to turn your attention to the additional B-Side track "I Didn't Get Where I Am Today". For this song the PSB acquired support by Johnny Marr (New Order) who did the poppy guitar playing. So, "I Didn't Get Where I Am Today" is a catchy dance-song of guitar-driven style which shows how versatile the PSB are. This rocking song contradicts the recently done statement of Thomas Stein (EX-BMG Germany boss, DSDS) that the PSB are the English Modern Talking. Well, it seems that ex-music company managers are sometimes mortising rubbish.

For the first time I bought the remix maxi-CD, that is featuring three well-done remixes by DJ Tomcraft, DJ Hell and Scissor Sisters and the original demo version of the title track. Because of some positive reviews about the b-side track I also ordered the single, which was a direct hit!

Distain - 25 Frames A Second

The comeback of Distain started with the release of the two maxi-cds "America" and "Sex'n'Cross". After these two releases I was really eager for the full-length album "25 Frames A Second".

Despite the re-formation of the band, Distain! are still keeping their own style and their music is convincing of excellent classic SynthPoP. The balanced mix of danceable, catchy tracks and melancholic ballades is very well done which results in a very varied electro album. Only the 3 instrumental interludes buffer the album.

I am very happy about the fact that the vocalist improved his singing linearly to the musical enhancements. Thus Distain! produced a perfect electronic album which was made for genuine SynthPoP or electro enthusiasts, or those who are going to become one.
My favourites are "Sex'n'Cross", "Faces In The Night", "Echo Of My Dreams", "The City", "Designed In Paradise" and "Strong".