SYSTEM22 - Somewhere Nowhere (Maxi-CD)

This is the first single from the forth-coming full length album "Sundown" which was released by A DIFFERENT DRUM (ADD). On "Somewhere Nowhere", System 22 was supported by Chrissy Franklin, who is also the background singer of The Echoing Green. This song is based on heavy drums which are complimented by futuristic sound-structures and excellent female singing. The melodies sound very technical and sterile but the warm and smooth singing compensates for this coldness and creates a pleasant atmosphere. The 5 remixes and the b-side named "SuckerPunch" show us System22'S talent for FuturePoP.
Well, this is another notable release which has me waiting impatiently for the forth-coming full length album.

L'AVANTGARDE & L'IMAGE - Musicment

Musicment, which was released by SYNTHETIC Product Records in 2002, includes songs performed by two German SynthPoP bands. Both bands delve in the usual classic SynthPoP melodies and structures and don't deliver any new ideas. But their songs do feature well-done melodies, which are very early 90s influenced, melodic singing and catchy refrains. In Comparison with L'AVANTGARDE, L'IMAGE sound more melancholic and are better skilled at putting across their emotions. L'AVANTGARDE is composed of proper SynthPoP but in a much more sterile way than L'IMAGE and were not really capable of maintaining my interest.
On the whole, this album consists of ordinary SynthPoP music and is recommended for all people who like early 90s electronic music.

CAMOUFLAGE - Sensor

The first single from "Sensor", named "Me And You" is already available and has initiated a terrific comeback for this once most successful German SynthPoP band. On "Sensor" Camouflage are sounding more electronic and melancholy as usual. Very melodic ballads (e.g. "Perfect", "You Turn") and danceable tunes (e.g. "I Can't Feel You", "I Will Follow Behind") form a well-balanced piece of synthetic art. A real surprise is the totally re-worked single-hit "Thief" which was released in 1999. The interpretation of the song is smoother and more emotional than the original. With "Sensor" Camouflage are demonstrating again their inimitable skill in producing highly emotional electronic music, full of warmth, which sounds very modern at the same time. No other band better understands how to make this kind of SynthPoP music.
On the whole I have to say, that "Sensor" is the best Camouflage release so far and legitimizes their great comeback.

Unfortunately the CD comes with Cactus DataShield 200 (CDS200) copy protection. It is very compatible but consists of C2 sector errors which demand the error-correction mechanism of each player. An intact CD works well but little scratches may cause drop-outs.

T.O.Y. - White Lights (limited edition)

This is the second album after the change from Evil Toy to T.O.Y. (Trademark Of Youth). "White Lights" offers catchy dance tracks with rich beats, heavy basses and brilliant highs. As usual, singing is monotonous and is supported by synthetic, very danceable melodies. On the whole the songs sound very commercial and do not deliver any new innovations in comparison to "Space Radio". "White Lights" seamlessly ties in with the previous release - the same singing, the same sound structures and even the drums have not changed. It's an album just like the predecessor where all songs were produced lifelessly and vapidly.

Steffen of De/vision supported T.O.Y. with his singing during the song "The Sky Is The Limit", which is one of the highlights and a surprising alternative. Well, in fact, the single songs represent smash dance numbers, but overall they seem colourless and boring. There is a notable lack of variety and innovation. T.O.Y. were relying on their usual sound-structures too much. It's a pity, as I am sure T.O.Y. could make it much better, as some remixes of foreign songs indicated.

Steffen's guest entrance and the 4 excellent remixes on the bonus disc saved this album from an average rating again.