Hard-Wired Synthpop Review
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Released only a year after their excellent debut (Ex)pedition, this second Leagacy Of Music album effortlessly maintains the high standards set by its predecessor & even surpasses them in some cases. 'Feed The Fire' kicks proceedings off in fine form, the immediately memorable chorus with its harmonised vocals (a forte of the duo) in particular making this a fine opener while 'I Am Your..' keeps up the good work with some fine piano work adding to the dynamic mood. It's obvious, then, that for the most part, they're working on their strengths & generally improving their future pop sound rather than making any startling changes. Certainly, anyone familiar with the band's sound will immediately recognise where they're coming from with the slightly harder 'Psychoblaster' as well as such pleasingly solid future pop numbers as 'Consequences', 'Reincarnation' & '99 Degrees' as well as the superb 'Angel' which deserves to be a much-loved fan fave. Having said that, they're not just going over old ground, as the proven by 'Don't Waste My Time' which employs more imaginative rhythmic effects & some effective melodics making for quite a versatile piece while 'Anyway' which is towards the end of the album sees them widening their stylistic net courtesy of some acidic bass squirts adding to the grittier sound of the track as a whole & shows that they're not limited to one style of expression. Similarly, the melancolic duo of 'Universe' & the instrumental '210 Fahrenheit' proves there's nothing they cannot do, particularly in the case of the latter track which is a mournful but moving piece that, even at only just under three minutes duration, casts its spell with ease & you just know that, even if this track were three times as long, it could never be boring! There are a couple of remixes tacked onto the end, as well, from Stoneface & Terminal (no, me neither!) whose take on 'Consequences' could well bring the band some mainstream club action & the normally excellent Rector Scanner, whose rather plodding 'I'll Be There' (don't know where the original comes from!) isn't likely to set the world on fire. Still, that doesn't change the fact that this is an excellent album that offers further proof this is one band that have got what it takes so do yourself a favour & check them out pronto. | |||||||||||||||||||
