Q-Ball - In Space

This debut album by Q-Ball is features twelve funky electronic songs. Mid and fast speed tracks are alternating which are flavoured with lots of crazy and entertaining electronic and guitar samples. Listening through the full-length album is just like a roller-coaster trip where you may gasp for breath. From my assessment, Q-Ball went over the top with all processed effects and sounds. So his good singing never really gets the chance to dominate the music. The songs named "Committed" and "Sinking" are one of fewer songs which have catchy-tune character supported by a very melodic refrain and a funky guitar-playing in background. Well those songs are definitely one of my favourites and make for some crazy musical misdoings (e.g. "Licky" ) on "In Space". Also some aggressive songs like "Life Of Riley", "Candle Wax", "Q-Ball In Space" will pique an interest in the music by Q-Ball but it's definitely not SynthPoP J.

On the whole "In Space" features some excellent club-capable songs even if experimental compositions are shaping this debut-release. Well, Q-Ball did really find his own style and did not try to copy any music by other bands. Crazy, overwound music for crazy people - definitely new stuff!

Minerve - Breathing Avenue

Minverve was formed up in 2002 by the Ex-Paradise Of Fear vocalist Daniel Wollatz and the keyboard-player Mathias Thürk. The music by Minerve is embossed by occasional aggressive electronic tracks and melodic refrains. In spite of minimalist compositions their music sounds surprising rich and varied. The musical background is enriched by the excellent singing of Daniel Wollatz, who is best characterized by very tender though powerful voice.

With "Breathing Avenue" Minerve are practising a well-done tightrope walk between FuturePoP and classic SynthPoP music, because fast-speed electro beats (e.g. "Animatter", "Clear", "Merge", "Escape") are alternating with warm and empathetic Ballades (e.g. "Soffucate") and mid-speed tracks.

On the whole I was very pleasantly surprised by the debut album by MINERVE and I am happy about the fact that another excellent band is enriching the German SynthPoP scene!
Keep up the good work!

DeadBabes - The Drug e.p.

The Drug EP is the debut single by the newcomer Deadbabes who have existed since the end of 2001. When listening to "The Drug" there is no doubt that the music by the Deadbabes is influenced by The Cure. The singing and musical background are similar to the music by the Cure. But for all that the Deadbabes have their individual style, which is coined by very melancholic and melodic music that is based on aerated and playfull instrumentals (real guitars, drums and percussion). The music is reaching the listeners like a butterfly's flight and satisfies with a well-done dose of melancholy. Well, it's not SynthPoP music but wave or progressive pop with slight electronic support.

"The Drug" was one of fewer surprises that has gained my attention in the last weeks and I am looking forward to a full-length album which will hopefully come out soon!. Keep up that good work!

Schattenschlag - Gefühlskalt

Schattenschlag aka Joachim Sobczak, who is more or less known for Siechtum, released his second solo-album named "Schattenschlag" after the debut-album "Flashback" in 2002. "Gefühlskalt" sounds very dark and hard and represents stodgy EBM music. Most of the songs are dominated by overloaded and disturbed beats which are embellished by less melodic elements (e.g. "Deine Augen", Schlagabtausch) and supported by aggressive recitative. Well, I am not getting into EBM music which results in the fact, that I can't do anything with the music by "Schattenschlag". On the whole "Gefühlskalt" delivers too much hard beats, lacks melodies and a monotonous recitative. All 12 tracks (including some remixes) are formed upon one pattern and do not feature any diversion.

Well, some people maybe like this kind of music - for my taste, it's a perfect sample for anti-music