Awful review of Brand New Idol makes point

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Check out this review of Brand New Idol's "Still Beautiful Falling Apart":

Even in the godless world of the music industry, idol worship ought to be a sin. On their new LP, Still Beautiful Falling Apart, the New Jersey-based trio Brand New Idol isn't so much indebted to Depeche Mode as it is enslaved to DM's mid-80s sound. From the Yamaha DX7 string sounds, to the hissy Sequential Circuits high-hats, right down to singer's Frank Freda's gloomy tenor vocals, there's little on Still Beautiful Falling Apart that cannot already be found on Music For The Masses. While this might not be a bad thing for those who "just can't get enough" of DM's classic sound, it's unlikely to interest those in search of something new.

Two tracks stand out from the poor-man's-Violator aesthetic that dominates Still Beautiful… The first is "Hold Me", a glass of sparkling pop champagne which, although it sounds exactly like something DM would have produced during Vince Clark's tenure with the band, is the one Brand New Idol composition that could actually hold its own among Mode's greatest hits. The title track, on the other hand, represents the one instance where Brand New Idol drop the DM-tribute-band routine and find their own voice. With layers of distorted vocals surfing on slow-rolling waves of synthesizer noise, it comes across like The Fall or Skinny Puppy attempting a power ballad (according to BNI's MP3.COM page, this track was initially written by keyboardist Tim Heireth for another project, thus explaining its radically different character).

Unfortunately, aside from that pair of exceptions, Still Beautiful… is hopelessly shackled to the band's influences. And while even the most flagrant rip-off can be partially redeemed if the perpetrators do a slick enough job of it (e.g., the Strokes), Beautiful generally cannot compete with DM's best work in terms of production and songwriting. Most ironically, even on their signature albums Music for the Masses and Violator, Depeche Mode itself deviated more from the standard "Depeche Mode sound" than does Brand New Idol. It's a classic case of a new band imitating the actual sound of their favorite artists, rather than the risk-taking, experimental spirit that led their icons to create those sounds in the first place. On future releases, Brave New Idol should probably concentrate more on inventing something new, and less on aping their idols.

Rating: 5.5 (of 10)

Taken from:

http://www.100unnatural.com/April%20May%202002/100unnatural%20brand%20new%20idol%20review.htm

It is the worst one Brand New Idol ever received. My major complaints are that the guy spends more time talking about Depeche Mode than Brand New Idol and at the end refers to us as "Brave New Idol". Other issues I have with it:

"Brand New Idol isn't so much indebted to Depeche Mode as it is enslaved to DM's mid-80s sound."

"...there's little on Still Beautiful Falling Apart that cannot already be found on Music For The Masses."

"...it's unlikely to interest those in search of something new."

"...the poor-man's-Violator aesthetic that dominates Still Beautiful..."

"Still Beautiful… is hopelessly shackled to the band's influences"

"Beautiful generally cannot compete with DM's best work in terms of production and songwriting."

"It's a classic case of a new band imitating the actual sound of their favorite artists, rather than the risk-taking, experimental spirit that led their icons to create those sounds in the first place. On future releases, Brave New Idol should probably concentrate more on inventing something new, and less on aping their idols."

Also, Joy Machine used to get ripped apart because Peter Riley could pass for Dave Gahan's vocal clone. Joy Machine's sound was much closer to DM than BNI is.

This is the mentality that we are all up against. I found it very disturbing, but not completely surprising.

Your thoughts?

[~Dan1boy]

Kris, you're right.. it's a scathing review. Haven't heard the record, it'd be ludicrous for another writer to comment on it's validity. I always found it difficult to write negative comments about an artist when reviewing an album; and, to this day, I never have. I simply wouldn't write the review. I'd politely email the artist (feeble attempt at being PC) and explain that the music simply wasn't "up my alley," as to not embarrass and criticize a valiant effort in public. This guy seems almost like he has a personal vendetta with the band. So, take the good with the bad. You said yourself that this was the first really negative article. Consider yourself lucky. I read the brutal reviews Rolling Stone gives certain bands...yikes.

This guy is some writer though. I have to admire his style. He uses such creative imagery combined with juicy adjectives. I'm salivating.


-- Dan

[seraphim]

All I will say is that it's a review, it's one persons opinion. Unfortunately that one persons opinion can often sway others. Still, it's been said a million times, "There's no such thing as bad press. It's only when they don't talk about you that you should worry."

Who knows, perhaps a Depeche Mode fan will read it and think, "What's so wrong with sounding like DM? I'll have to check these guys out." A fan is a fan, no matter how you obtained them.

I agree with Dan. The reviewer is some writer, with a good style. You have to give credit where credit is due. However, I also think that he also has some valid points and constructive criticisms. Every review, good or bad, can have something to learn from if you take it all in stride.

I should add that I liked "Still Beautiful...". I liked it for what it was and every time I hear something by BNI, I hear their progress. However, to my ear, it still sounds like the band is refining their sound. I'm just being honest. Though I think one of the things holding the band back is how they handle their "press".

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[i]I should add that I liked "Still Beautiful...". I liked it for what it was and every time I hear something by BNI, I hear their progress. However, to my ear, it still sounds like the band is refining their sound. I'm just being honest. Though I think one of the things holding the band back is how they handle their "press".[/b]

We are definitely still refining our sound and we feel that each new release shows a maturity in writing and production quality.

Can you please elaborate on how we could handle our "press" better and why you think it is holding us back? We are always open to useful constructive criticism. No one benefits from having their ass kissed...

Thank you for the honest commentary.

[seraphim]

Originally posted by newidol2000
We are definitely still refining our sound and we feel that each new release shows a maturity in writing and production quality.


And that's a good thing. I feel that a band should constantly be evolving. Why? Because life is a constant string of learning experiences. The artists grow as people, so should their music.

[i]
Can you please elaborate on how we could handle our "press" better and why you think it is holding us back? We are always open to useful constructive criticism. No one benefits from having their ass kissed...
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That's not always correct. Granted you don't want to base your career on ass kissing but you do tend to want to be a bit more "P.C." or careful with your words, especially in public forums. Trust me, that was a very hard lesson for me to learn. I am not one to kiss ass and never will be, that's just not my style but I can and do choose my words carefully. I will only speak on my personal dealings with BNI, the things I have read and so forth. Just from reading various posts over the years, it seems to me that when the band doesn't get a good review or get their way, they too openly show outrage towards it. Things I am talking about for example is when Brand New Idol didn't win an award at this years American Synthpop Awards, they* openly accused they system of being fixed. Instead of posting something like that, perhaps the band could have graciously said they were disappointed about not winning, thank the fans that did nominate and vote for them and that they'll try harder next year. Just be more aware of the words you use and the possible meaning behind them, how they may be taken. In the "State of the Music" thread here in the VIP section, you said that SynthCon "rejected" BNI. That sounds bad and makes you sound bitter, rejected to me had a very negative connotation to it. You may be bitter, which is understandable. You love your band and work hard at it and everyone hates to be told, "Sorry, not this time" (at least you didn't tell us to "F Off" like the boys from Rational Youth did). The simple fact of the matter was that there were hundreds of submissions and three people who had to agree to each band. Hell, I didn't even get my way but it comes with the territory. Just as a personal side note, you know that I like BNI (as I did Joy Machine) as I have been the only DJ in the Los Angeles area spinning your music for the past few years. Take what I say not as an attack but just as an opinion of things the way I see them.

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Thank you for the honest commentary.[/b]

I'm always honest. No reason to lie. People wont learn if you never tell them the truth.

This may or may not have come directly from the band. Maybe just an over zelous fan but I'm fairly certain that it was said by someone in the band as well.

[~Brand New Idol]

Um where did this peanut gallery post come from . . .

Where did I publicly and openly accuse this years american synthpop awards as being fixed?

And Frank what the hell does this post serve or any post complaining about not getting into synthcon to play? Synthcon this year was a farce, a failure and nothing more can be said than has been said about the short comings. To fly me and my girlfriend out to hang out with like 40 people, where 2/3 of them were bands cost me um about $2000 bucks, thanks Raf for making my 10 days there more bearable after the convention.

As for the review It was a horrible review, period. End of story and I'm sure there will be more, I sent an email to the guy and that's that, which he posted. Free country, just a very biased review without thought on what was said. Were not going to change what we do because some guy who gets 10 hits a month on his website thinks were trying to rip off depeche mode.

I'm starting to see the light though, the scene isn't on this board or this group of people, we are part of a bigger scene which I have been watching and fretting over for a year and a half now and man it's like upon us. We're not seeing the forest through the trees. And so electroclash... has come about without the help of this scene. When I go to a show and don't know who the ¤¤¤¤ a band called "I am the world trade center" is, and then they are in a major article in the recent billboard magazine, I must have missed something. The state of the scene is there is no synthpop scene, and synthcon proved that. The scene is going to be electroclash, the politically year 2002 term for synthpop. You waitm, I ¤¤¤¤ you not, this years electro clash show is going to be nuts, packed and just plain unreal like synthcon could have been if we saw it coming better. And you know what, it's all synthpop . . . just with a different name.

BNI will be working the electro clash scene where it's pretty much spawned in NY so wish us luck.

Frank, I love ya bro but there is no reason to post looking for sympathy votes. We'll do it our way, on our terms like we always have.

Peace

Kris
Brand New Idol

[seraphim]

Originally posted by Brand New Idol
Um where did this peanut gallery post come from . . .


I believe that it came from one of the members in your band but more globally, these posts come from people who are genuinely interested in supporting the music and the people who make it.


Where did I publicly and openly accuse this years American Synthpop awards as being fixed?


Did I or did I not say that I was unsure if this came from a member of the band or from an over zealous fan? I think I did. All I know is that these postings were flying left and right. In any case, your post proved my initial statement. You disagree with what I said, that's fine. I can accept that and move on gracefully. All that doesn't matter now. I offered my view, which are shared by others as well.


And Frank what the hell does this post serve or any post complaining about not getting into synthcon to play? Synthcon this year was a farce, a failure and nothing more can be said than has been said about the short comings. To fly me and my girlfriend out to hang out with like 40 people, where 2/3 of them were bands cost me um about $2000 bucks, thanks Raf for making my 10 days there more bearable after the convention.


Again, all that doesn't matter. It's past. My initial desire was to defend the event but it would be a waste of my words to do so. What happened happened. It's all been explained to death.


As for the review It was a horrible review, period. End of story and I'm sure there will be more, I sent an email to the guy and that's that, which he posted. Free country, just a very biased review without thought on what was said. Were not going to change what we do because some guy who gets 10 hits a month on his website thinks were trying to rip off depeche mode.


How is the review biased? It was after all just his opinion of the album. It should be no skin off your nose. Continue to do what you do, prove him wrong. It shouldn't even have warranted you e-mailing him back.


I'm starting to see the light though, the scene isn't on this board or this group of people, we are part of a bigger scene which I have been watching and fretting over for a year and a half now and man it's like upon us.


That's the first good thing you have said on this post. It's not just about this board, or the people and artists on it. I think many people have agreed on this and said that everyone has to move past this. It's not good enough to think that we're a part of a "synthpop" scene, we should be aiming to say that we are part of the "music" scene.


We're not seeing the forest through the trees. And so electroclash... has come about without the help of this scene.


Not entirely true. These Electroclash bands draw some of their influences from the same places "synthpop" bands do. The Eighties and the House music from that era. The Electroclash bands share a common bond with Synthpop. Not that it matters all that much, because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't.


The state of the scene is there is no synthpop scene, and synthcon proved that.


No there really isn't and yes, yes it did. As did other events before it and after. The problem is that we're all too stubborn to learn from these things or to give up.


The scene is going to be electroclash, the politically year 2002 term for synthpop. You waitm, I ¤¤¤¤ you not, this years electro clash show is going to be nuts, packed and just plain unreal like synthcon could have been if we saw it coming better. And you know what, it's all synthpop . . . just with a different name.


Yes it is all just Synthpop but just under a different name. Why do you think that Jenz and I had the foresight to book Soviet and Ganymede for the first years SynthCon? If I remember correctly, SC01 was the first or second show for Soviet. If Jenz and I still ran SynthCon, it would have been different and more Electroclash bands would have been booked in the future. As well as Trance, EBM. Electro, what have you. Its not about ONE style. It's about embracing all styles.


BNI will be working the electro clash scene where it's pretty much spawned in NY so wish us luck.


If that is what you and the band want, then I of course wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing what your spin on the music is. But from the sound of that statement, it sounds, at least to me, that you are going to re-invent yourselves to jump onto this Electroclash band-wagon. Which is fine as well, more power to you. Just be up front with it. :)

Also, keep in mind that this is just the new "buzz"...it's days are most likely numbered as were most styles before it. Just an opinion and an observation.


Frank, I love ya bro but there is no reason to post looking for sympathy votes. We'll do it our way, on our terms like we always have.


Good attitude to have. More bands should do things on their own terms. I don't mean that in a sarcastically way either.

[~pacific_mile]

[/b]
As for the review It was a horrible review, period. End of story and I'm sure there will be more, I sent an email to the guy and that's that, which he posted. Free country, just a very biased review without thought on what was said. Were not going to change what we do because some guy who gets 10 hits a month on his website thinks were trying to rip off depeche mode.
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Get a female singer and I'll bet you'll stop getting reviews being accused of sounding like Depeche Mode :-) Just my opinion. ESPECIALLY if you want to jump on the "electroclash" bandwagon!

Steven

[~KissTheStar]

You have to believe in yourself and forge your own way regardless of reviews or outsider opinions. I was telling someone earlier today that I would prefer to be a Rhinoceros crashing through life than a cow watching things happen and not being true to my beliefs.

Sometimes I feel like it is like yelling into water .... "Buzz and creating an image are vitally important" ..... that is what Electroclash has done. Why is that so hard for some people grasp? I hope that the "scene" as defined by the Electrogarden is not too "elitist" to realize that while the music is important and the core ... the packaging is just as vital.

~Craig

[~Vladimir Valette]

Image is just as important as the music! This is a good or a bad thing. First example needs no clarification. DAVID BOWIE. Now look at what he spawned. Bands like Roxy Music who along with Bowie gave birth to the new romantics and people like Gary Numan who's admitted to copping Bowie's Station to Station period. The synthpop genre has no image for which the new generation of kids slightly younger than me can latch onto. The scene has no visibility in the US. Before I rant, a lot of what I wrote to this point is in the main forum under "The future of the scene" where now the talk is about passing out free cdrs or something like that.

I'm a musician and I love music to death as I know you all do as well but let's remember without the image to prop them up, where would most of these beloved bands be? You fell in love with their image just as much as the music.

[~Brand New Idol]

The point isn't to change what we're doing, or the music were playing, the point is to play for this crowd and see how they react no more no less. I sat with Vlad and had a good chat about this and both of our bands are going to give it a shot. And I believe in my heart that our type of synthpop WILL go over with this crowd and I personally don't want to live in doubt the rest of my life wondering how people would react to BNI in a synthpop friendly environment. BNI is very professional and entertaining live and this crowd is looking for live entertainment as opposed to our current scene where the beer and the mixed drink is taking priority and the band is just ambience.

And to the other post this isn't about girl driven synthpop or the Faint wouldn't be leading the pack, this is purely about synthpop being packaged under a different name fronted by a woman or a man.

Of course my post was to my band member initially so please don't take it out of context. Unless Seraphim is named Frank then I apologize for the confusion heh.

[~pacific_mile]

Originally posted by Brand New Idol

And to the other post this isn't about girl driven synthpop or the Faint wouldn't be leading the pack, this is purely about synthpop being packaged under a different name fronted by a woman or a man.


Hmm... Maybe.. However, my point is, If you want to continue formulate the very image and sound BNI has All male and all "dark", you (along with most "modern" Synthpop bands)
WILL ALWAYS be compared to those who paved the way before you. And that I am willing to stake everything on that.

[Synthpopalooza]

You know it happens to every band in the scene. Some people just don't get the music, they don't understand it, or it's not their style, so they blast it.

Joy Electric started out doing synthpop right in the middle of the grunge era (1994) and caught a lot of flak for it. Admittedly I can't see the Nirvana freaks getting into the videogamish bleeps and bloops ... but I remember reading a scathing review of his material over on amazon (the idiot gave his CD one star out of five and said that the bleeps and electronics sucked, he should use more guitars) ... oh brother.

You can't let guys like that get you down. Maybe the thing is, Depeche mode were undeniably the most successful and long-lived band in our scene (Erasure being the second), so it's no doubt that DM are the yardstick to which we inevitably get compared.

It's just like, say, someone downing Duran Duran in 1982 and accusing them of trying to shag off of David Bowie. The comparisons are inevitable and you can't get away from them, the best you can do is try to be yourself and let the judgements fall where they may.

The idiot who wrote that review doesn't know good music, in my book.

[~Vladimir Valette]

I wish that would happen. I have no problem whatsoever playing with Electroclash because once we're all on stage, we are all playing keyboards for the most part and the electronic barrage will be brought forth to an otherwise unsuspecting audience. As long as they make sure that they are playing something on stage and not fiddling intermittently with an Alesis theremin. :) Inside joke....