1. Sunrise
2. Resolution
3. Nightvision (V2.0)
4. Discontent
5. Letting Go
6. Break Away
7. Hate You
8. It's Empty In Her Eyes
9. Hypertension
10. Descending
11. Summer Lights
12. Resolution (Z Prochek Mix)
13. Break Away (Closer Mix By Assemblage 23)
14. Discontent (Implant Mix)
15. Resolution (Delobbo Mix)
LABEL:
Alfa Matrix
RELEASED:
2003
GLIS
BALANCE
It might seem that the current electro scene is getting a bit overcrowded but the American duo use their second album (and first on Alfa Matrix) to prove that there's always room for one more. Chock full of top notch electro this will prove essential to anyone who has spent the past year enjoying the current crop of electro bands, especially Apoptygma Berzerk, who are an obvious reference point on the club hit "Resolution",a comparison which neither of the EBM-minded remixes by Z Prochek (a particularly excellent effort) or Delobbo can totally eradicate. Shaun Frandsen's vocals are slightly harsher than Stephan Groth's which adds an appealingly gritty touch to this otherwise easily accessable music and "It's Empty In Her Eyes" (presented here as the 'Overdose Mix') is another surefire dancefloor filler and will again appeal to APB fans. Whereas Groth and co seem to be heading towards an Ibiza trance style Glis are more willing to mix slightly offbeat elements into their music which in no way detract from the accessability or enjoyment of the album.The opening "Sunrise" for one just sounds that little bit different to make it stand out and for the listener to be curious as to what might follow next and surprises such as the old skool EBM influences of "Hypertension" and the light hearted trance of "Summer Lights" (most appropriate given the title) serve to increase the intrigue. The punchy and almost frantic electro of "Discontent" is another potent offering although Implant's mix seems to water this down somewhat. It's an enjoyable enough version but loses the pulse racing appeal that makes the original the winner it is.
Glis' method of mixing pumping electro with darker lyrics is similar to Epsilon Minus so it's fitting that their much in demand vocalist Jennifer Parkin gives "Letting Go" a further boost as her slightly ethereal vocals prove to be the perfect accompaniment for this trance-influenced piece while Neikka RPM's Dominique does the honours on the similar albeit slightly darker "Hate You". The slightly slower (but no less full) "Break Away" is later given the once over by Tom Shear of Assemblage 23 (who also helped out with vocal production on a few tracks) who turns it into a full-on dancefloor scorcher and even if his appearance might awaken a fair amount of interest among fans Glis easily equal of any established electro acts with an album not to be missed.
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