Yeah – I know …… ‘I don’t like Electro!’
Aaahhh – but this is ‘Pyschedelic electro’, and that’s another matter altogether – kind of.
With the exception of a couple of instances, there is very little in the way of strangulated, deep voices that would have Ian Curtis cringing in his grave. So that’s a good thing for a start. In addition and generally speaking, though the music still retains a touch of the ‘dated’ sound that I hate with a lot of ‘electro’ it does have a modern twist to it. It offers something different; something interesting enough to prevent the ‘stop’ button – and myself – from being depressed.
That said, opening track ‘Lover’ does sound a little ‘Eighties’ and IS one of he tracks with the dreaded vocal style. There was a danger of me switching off right there and then at track # 1, but the memories came flooding back of Teardrop Explodes / Julian Cope and all – and then all was right within the world again.
‘Grip’ on the other hand follows the lead of a repetitive heavy, catchy bass line that offsets the deep vocals. There’s lots of other tweaking of synth type knobs and buttons, and for the first time the ghost of Jim Morrison makes a subtle appearance.
‘Spoil The Party’ has some saving graces also. It’s a more subdued track, with plenty reverb on the vocals as the church organ – yes, I believe it IS actually an old Church organ that is used by zZz! – dances between the words.
‘Sign Of Love’ is a powerful and energetic song, sounding as if The Doors are carrying out an exorcism, accompanied by the manic Church verger battering seven bells out the organ.
The following track ‘ Majeur’ is quite majestic in its one minute and fifty-three seconds existence. Fast paced, the organ and vocals have playful but subdued hook with the former sounding more old-time-cinema organ than that of the Church.
Title track ‘Running With The Beast’ returns to the bass-driven tone of ‘Grip’ but DOES have the (in my opinion) grotesque vocal style. The backing music also gives it a really dated sound so this is the first song of the six so far that has me reaching for the ‘skip’ button. It certainly wouldn’t have been my choice of title track I have to say.
‘Amanda’ has ‘the voice’ again and reminds me of an Ultravox type of track, but with a more Sixties styled vocal delivery. It’s an interesting mix of influences that do actually deflect to a certain extent, the dreaded vocal.
‘Loverboy’ features a more falsetto and echoed vocal delivery – quite different from the rest of the album – with spoken part overlays. The (church) organ gives this a ‘non-standard’ electro feel and creates a quite atmospheric, though still upbeat track.
The shuffling drums on ‘The Movies’ together with the moaned vocals and high- pitched organ sound give this track the feel of The Happy Mondays and Stone Roses fighting with the Go Team. Nice – shame it’s only just over two minutes in length!
‘Angel’ is probably a good illustration of my pre-conceived and prejudiced views on ‘electro’ so the least said the better! However, final track, ‘Islands’ manages to redeem my interest with its haunting vocals and Suicide sounding atmosphere and beats.
It’s all a bit of a mixed bag as far as I’m concerned, but with more plusses than minuses.