| Artist |
| Project Pitchfork |
| Title |
| Dream, Tiresias! |
| Format/Cat |
| CD |
| Label |
| Trisol Music |
| Style |
| Hard hitting electro |
| Date of review |
| March 2009 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 8/10 |
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As soon as this latest album from The Pitchies was announced, the absence of drummer Achim Farber & guitarist Carsten Klatte was immediately seen that this signalled a return to the all-electronic Pitchfork of old, a kind of back to basics for the band, if you like. The return of the old logo is a telling point as wel, I'd say & the dynamic & punchy sound that characterises the album is definately reminiscent of the old days, particularly their early club hit Conjure, which I was reminded of more than once while the instrumental 'Dream' sections which pop up between every track & the war-inspired lyrics of 'Darkness' both bring the days of Entities to mind. What has changed is the adventurous approach of yore & particularly the rawness that the band used to possess have both gone, this is an album so polished you could probably see your face in it (if you catch my drift!) but it's a powerful & dynamic one as well with 'If I Could' setting the scene for what is to come quite nicely; strong, punchy music that constantly comes up trumps with the excellently infectious 'Promises' & the equally punchy 'Your God' where the choir voices make for an appropriately sepulchral offering, combining well with the clipped, quickfire vocals among the highlights, in fact, it's only when the harder rhythms are combined with more upbeat moods, as they are during 'The Tide' then it can get a bit too cheerful for comfort (although the especially gruff vocals do offset this to some extent!). Moreover, the band's melodic strengths ensure that it never feels at all clinical, ensuring that the album becomes more & more enthralling as it progresses, particularly during 'Full of Life' where the insistent melodics weave a potent spell while the preceeding single 'Feel' benefits from an intriguing combination of shuffling rhythms which, to me have a hint of glamrock about them (I kid you not!) & a distinctly melancolic mood. It's certainly a thought-provoking track & a brave choice as single, particularly when virtually any track on the album would have been equally suitable. All of which leaves the rather mellow-sounding 'Passion' to close the album as the soaring synths add a rich vein to this nigh-on 8 minute piece like a cool wind on a warm day before it ends on an atmospheric but equally laidback note. So while this does harken back to the Pitchies' past it's more likely to appeal to those who find their more recent works to their taste, hardcore industrial fans may find it a bit too easy on the ear in places but Pitchfork continue to tread their own path & defy easy labelling &, really, you just know that they'll never do anything else!
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