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Body Armour are the latest UK act to attempt to break through into the electro market and unlike certain bands they certainly got this album out quickly enough (I was unaware of them until they supported Technoir in London last year!). Their music is a darker version of the trashy electro/goth style of Goteki or Mechanical Cabaret with more ethereal chords giving a trancey feel in places, although their use of analogue rhythms means that they often sound more like a darker synthpop act. That's not to say they don't have some decent tunes up their sleeves and the choppy rhythms of the opening "Tears (Demonkiss)" are a good move, showing that at least they're thinking about their music. I have to say that I can't quite shake the nagging feeling that this sounds a bit like a (admittedly above average) demo, although this rough around the edges feel might be intentional. It certainly fits with the vocals of Dolldelerium (Laura Friday) which are of the spoken 'don't give a fuck' diva variety, apart from the dancey "Drama Queen" where they're slightly treated, a move that makes for a good change of direction. The band certainly have some potential in this area and "Trance" is a pleasing mixture of ethereal chords and thumping rhythms. The constant changes of pace make it a little too fractured for the dancefloor but the combination works well otherwise. However, it's the closing instrumental trancey/bleepy "Seven Moons" that really stands out. This is sure to go down well on the dancefloors and could well be a good (solo?) sideline for Soundhunter (AKA Piotr Kostka), the duo's musical mastermind.
To really make the most of their undoubted potential I'd like to see the duo sign to a dedicated electro label and get an established producer in as an experienced guiding hand may be just what they're looking for. As it is though, this is an enjoyable debut.
RATING: 7
Artist Link: http://www.bodyarmour.uk.com
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