|
|
| FRONT 242 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
|
|||
|
Album: "Re:Boot"
(1998) |
|
||
|
Reviewed by: Darklight This is a live recording from Front 242's 1998 tour. While I usually don't like live CDs, this one is actually quite good. Front 242 has definitely updated their sound here with more of a techno style and less of their older darker sound. I actually like this new direction as it gives their classics real dance energy. From track two (track one is an instrumental) and beyond, this CD is packed with force that won't allow you to sit still while listening. The music is very clean with hyper electronic programming/sequencing/sampling, upbeat synth melodies and excellent drum beats. The music sounds like a studio recording as opposed to having the usual muffled live sound. But the vocals are kind of what bring this album down a notch. The main vocals are performed by Jean-Luc De Meyer and are good for the most part. He grunts and growls in his usual accented style that fits well with the music. But they do have sort of that muffled live sound that makes them not blend in as well with the music as they would have if they were mixed in a studio. But it's the second backing singer that is really out of place here. He is actually quite annoying. He constantly shouts out to the crowd during the songs and his voice just isn't that good when he tries to sing along with Jean-Luc De Meyer. This is about the only complaint that I have with this CD. That and the fact with the music being techno in style, it can get a little repetitive at times making all of the songs sound similar to each other. But these are minor complaints considering how good the overall CD is. So if you want to hear some of your favorite classic Front 242 songs performed live with a techno kick, this CD is a must for you.
|
|||
|
Album: "mut@ge.mix@ge"
(1997) |
|
||
|
Reviewed by: Nicholas Don't get excited by the idea of a 12 track 242 CD; this is not a new album. All that this CD is prenesting to you is a collection of previously released tracks with the exception of new Underworld and Orb remixes. Seriously, though, who cares? The mixes are bland and boring, without enough even going on in them to warrant a description. It is not the case that this is a CD that collects a bunch of deleted material for rerelease in a new one-purchase package nor that it is all European material put together for U.S. consumption. All of the material (except for the new mixes) is still in print, although mostly in imports. However, purchasing Mixed By Fear would get you all of the worthwhile mixes off of this disc and the complete DSM series that is cut short in this release. If you really need "Break Me", then get Angels Versus Animals so you recieve all of the new stuff on that release too. You will only be short some Orb, Underworld and Prodigy mixes (oh well) that you can get from the Religion singles anyway. To fill out this lackluster collection is Junkdrome, which is on my version of 05:22:09:12 Off, so I don't even understand why it's here. I am a huge fan of Front 242 and I feel personally offended by this release, which seems to be just an attempt to extort money from collectors. Crapage.
|
|||
|
Album: "05:22:09:12
Off" (1993) |
|
||
|
Reviewed by: Darklight This is the second part to Front 242's "06:21:03:11 Up Evil" album, but is a lot different and isn't nearly as good. This album is packed full of instrumentals and remixes. Also, most of the songs feature female vocals making this not even sound like Front 242. This is a very dance style album with fast paced techno rhythms and beats. The vocals are more like samples, and less like singing. They come and go with the repetitive music. There are a couple of decent tracks to be found here, but the album seems like a mess for the most part.
|
|||
|
Album: "06:21:03:11
Up Evil" (1993) |
|
||
|
Reviewed by: Darklight This is the follow up album to Front 242's 1991 release "Tyranny For You". This album is quite different, and I like it a lot more. I thought that "Tyranny For You" was a good album, but it seemed to lack energy. Well, this album is the complete opposite. Almost every song presented here is fast paced and alive just waiting to be tested on the dance floor. The synths play more in the background as the electronics and drum beats take center stage. There is even some sampled guitar here, and it works well. The singing is more passionate than before, and is only slightly distorted with an appealing accent. This album has a slight dark edge to it, but not nearly as much as "Tyranny For You". The overall music is a bit more futuristic sounding with techno style rhythms. Each song is just as catchy as the next. This is a must for electro industrial music fans.
|
|||
|
Album: "Tyranny
For You" (1991) |
|
||
|
Reviewed by: Darklight This is very well done dark, dreary, and moody electro industrial music. The synths, electronics, and drum programming are performed excellently.The rhythms and beats range from slow, medium, to fast paces. Some songs are melodic while others are more energetic and could work well in clubs. The vocals are slightly distorted and sing with a powerful deep accent. Samples are placed throughout each of the songs perfectly. Each song is very catchy, and grabs you right away. But sometimes beats do get repetitive, and a few songs sound very alike. Also, most of the songs are a bit slow paced, and there are three instrumentals. So this album isn't perfect. But it's pretty good for the most part.
|
|||
|
|