The early signs are not good. "Lucky Lover" features shouted vocals, halfway between Perry Farrell and Fred Durst. The music is urgent and synth-based, which earns points in my book. "Bullet Train" is an improvement, due to the less hysterical singing tone. The attitude expressed is juvenile and snotty. One lyric reads: 'All the money that I'm makin/I spend it on the 'caine'. One suspects the band aren't treating the actor made famous for his roles in Alfie and The Italian Job to a night on the town.

Behind all the shouting on "Come On, Come Out" there are some moody synths, which beguile the listener. I've never been a fan of whiny vocals, which makes me wish this song was an instrumental. New Order-flavoured guitars and keyboards usher in "Still Alive". This song has a catchy melody. The vocals during "Connections" remind me of early Faith No More, i.e. before they got someone who could sing in tune. "One's Not Enough" is fast and furious. There's an ambient instrumental coda to this song, which is enjoyable.

"Pretty Mess" features some surging guitars, which make up for the basic keyboard sound. 'We're all poison machines!' assert the band. I'm relieved when this song is over. The synths during "Yay & Alize" are good. "Don't Kill For Me" is a pleasant relief from the too-many-additives energy on display elsewhere. When the band do slow things down and amp up the menace they are much more interesting. Musically "Bar Fly" is superior synthpop, but is once again let down by the vocals. "Win, Loose, Die" (sic) sounds like Voltaire, without the jokes. It's acoustic guitar and voice - and it's the most moving thing on the album.

There are elements of the Femme Fatality sound I like. Both the synths and guitars (when used) show a strong 80s influence. Sadly they are drowned out by the vocals, which have nothing interesting say and fail to communicate this paucity of message in an arresting manner. Maybe I'm too old to understand the band's interests - or connect with the way they express them. The kids of today eh? Someone pass my pipe and slippers...