Rewiev Synthpop
Title: Synthphony REMIXed Vol 5
Rated: 
Date: January 11, 2006
Yes, a remix CD being reviewed in "Synthetic Vision", whatever next!! But, fear not as this very-CD is more than worthy of both a review within this issue, and above all in your collection. But, I do strongly disagree with any label releasing a series of CD's like this, especially when there are so many unsigned bands out there that are more than worthy of a label contract. But apart from my small rant, and in regards of the CD itself, for a start I'am largely unfamiliar with the majority of the original versions of the tracks featured here, which doesn't exactly help in both listening to, and reviewing this very-release, but taking this into account, and leaving it to one side.
This CD features the remix talents of the Swede Krister Petersson, once a member of a number of EBM and Synth Pop bands in past years including Melody Lane, but through out this past year Krister has been putting together a number of notable remixes under the name of Chinese Theatre which has lead to the release of both this very impressive album, and the recent release of the excellent single "Breath In Breath Out". But, with a dozen tracks and remixes on offer here, there is plenty to interest as the remixes themselves tend to blend back-n-forth between the more familiar tones of Synth Pop itself, and its almost younger, and darker brother Future Pop, ironically itself a term that was devised by a fellow Dubliner in VNV Nation front man Ronan Harris.
But, for me the following tracks-remixes grabbed my attention, and somewhat predictably so, from the superb Trans-X like "Love System" from The Twins, the first track that I've heard from the band itself, the equally superb "Synchronise" from Celluloide with its great following synths riffs, the very-Erasure like "Rip Your Heart Out" from Julian Brandy Featuring Johan Kinde, also that bouncy feel that retains much of the original track in Universal Poplab's "Extasy" or the similar feel of "Bounce" from Hype. I also liked "Here For You" from Nun, a Polish duo that look like creating some headlines next year, but I thought the female vocals could have been somewhat stronger, also the powerful pace of This Fish Needs A Bike and Colony 5 with their Swedish vocals and another remix with a pacey Trans-X feel.
In addition there is the hard-edged, and darker Future Pop feel to the excellent remixes from Syrian, Ming & Ping and the very-good, and more mid-paced feel of A New January. Think 1981, think Vince Clarke, think simply superb.
For Now
Synthetic Wishes
Danny
Review by: Danny King Syntetic
Rewiev link: www.synthpop.net
Read also a other rewiev over the sampler Synthphony REMIXed Vol 5 made by Jason Baker at Synthpop.nu
Read also a rewiev over the Chinese Theatre limited CDM Breathe In Breathe Out.