| Reviewed
by: Darklight
Since I really enjoyed the previous Neuroactive CD
‘Fiber-Optic Rhythm’, I was eagerly awaiting
the arrival of this follow-up. Unfortunately, I am slightly disappointed
with it because it sounds too much like ‘Fiber-Optic Rhythm’.
Basically, the band doesn’t really do anything new or different here.
They deliver the same exact sound as they did on their previous release.
While it’s indeed a good sound, I feel that ’Fiber-Optic Rhythm’ covered
it enough where I didn’t really need another full-length CD that delivered
basically the same music.
This album is packed full of smooth flowing clean and polished synth-pop tracks that feature energetic layered electronic programming, dramatic melodies, driving drum beats and deep accented male vocals that sing with good range and harmony. The songs play at a medium to fast pace to prevent anything from putting you to sleep. Some tracks are club worthy, while others are more fitting for relaxing at home. But for the most part the songs all sound fairly similar to each other without a lot of differences from track to track. The band sticks to a formula and never strays away from it. So once you have heard the first song you pretty much know what to expect from the rest of the album.
While this CD does offer well produced synth-pop music, it ends up sounding rather typical in the end. I personally feel that Neuroactive’s previous recording ‘Fiber-Optic Rhythm’ is an overall better release including a lot more variety than what is offered here. On that album you can really tell the tracks apart,. But here they all blend together without allowing anything to stand out. While I still like this CD because I like the sound Neuroactive creates, I am hoping that they try some different things on their next release. Otherwise, they will end up putting out the same album again.
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| Reviewed
by: Darklight
I
enjoyed the previous Neuroactive CD "Phonic Trace", but
felt that it was a bit mellow and repetitive with a lot of the songs
sounding the same throughout the disc. Well, the music has improved
greatly on this release. The first thing that needs to be mentioned
is that this band has a new singer. His singing is superb with a clean
deep accented delivery that has a lot of passion, emotion and range.
The music in each of the songs is well produced and polished with a
combination of EBM and synth-pop to keep it both energetic and melodic.
The electronic programming/sequencing/sampling is multi-layered with
a lot happening in it delivering various sci-fi sound effects over bass
beats and beautifully orchestrated keyboard melodies. The vocals flow
smoothly along with the music allowing everything to come together perfectly.
The lyrics in the songs are well written and can be understood clearly.
While the songs do tend to lean a little more toward synth-pop than
EBM, there are times when things do sound dark, serious and somewhat
aggressive. The combination of genres is what really helps make this
CD stand out amongst a lot of other synth-pop releases. I really can't
say enough good things about this band and this album as there's nothing
to complain about here. Everything is just as good and placed in an
excellent order making the disc an enjoyable audio jorney from the second
you press play on your stereo. This CD should not be missed by fans
of EBM and synth-pop music as it's easily one of the best releases I've
heard combining the two styles together creating upbeat dance music
with a dark dramatic edge.
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| Reviewed
by: Darklight
This
band mixes a lot of different styles onto this album. Their songs are
purely electronic with sequencing, synths, sampling and drum programming.
They blend melody and harmony with dance floor rhythms and beats. You
will hear a combination of electro industrial, EBM and synth-pop in
these songs. They all have a slight techno/sci-fi vibe that gives this
album a very current feel.Some songs are more melodic and relaxed leaning
toward synth-pop, while others are more energetic and aggressive coming
off more as electro industrial/EBM. There is great structure to these
songs as they all pull you in with their excellent rhythms and beats.
The singing is very well done clean accented male vocals that blend
with the music perfectly. The music is smooth with a well produced sound.
The songs are lengthy and mix good variety in each of them to keep everything
here interesting. Almost each song could work as a dance club song to
get people moving out on the floor. There's a slight techno edge to
the music that gives it that dance groove. The music is a bit uplifting
for the most part with a light feel and some rather beautiful synth
melodies. The only complaint that I have with the album is that the
songs kind of all follow a similar formula. Everything starts blending
together not allowing a lot of the songs to really stand out. Also,
the mood of the album never really changes. There's not a lot of variety
from one song to the next. Some songs stand out more than others, but
everything kind of sounds the same for the most part. There's one instrumental
here that is really good. It works well without vocals and is actually
one of the songs that does stand out. Some of the songs are a little
too mellow with really soft singing that kind of lose your interest
after a while. But there are enough energetic tracks delivered here
to make this album worth getting if you're a fan of electronic music.
If you like electro industrial, EBM and synth-pop music, you will most
likely enjoy this album.
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