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To celebrate 10 years in the business Intelligent Communications have pt out this compilation featuring unreleased tracks from all their bands.Some have already released albums others haven't so this album is not only for those wishing to disocver what the label has to offer but will also those who are already familiar with their output.
Those who enjoy the established European synthpop style will find much to their liking here, including All For One, whose tracks have that deep vocal style that so many German bands employ with similarities to bands such as Wolfsheim et al although this is more a guide than a definate likeness. Codename Sugar go for a much more cheerful outlook, including the opening "Loser" (with it's slightly accented vocals, something I always like!) although "Instead" is far better which an effective sampled guitar loop adding a distinctive edge. Dark Distant Spaces will also go down well with synthpop fans everywhere for pretty much the same reasons. "A Smile" proves their versatility with a slow and thoughtful delivery that is perfectly complimented by the mix of sung and spoken vocals. If I were to have one minor quibble it's that Dark Distant Spaces and All For One perhaps sound a bit TOO close to each other for comfort but they certainly know how to do it well and both bands will doubtless have wide appeal.
Intelligent's best band Neues Kombinat (formerly Das Kombinat, whose album "Lomographic" is a must-have, by the way) return with 3 excellent tracks that, while not as varied as their previous output are still head and shoulders above the rest with the excellent "Consumer Baby" only being bettered by the new mix of "Mein" from the album. Cellulloide's remix sees Darkleti adding her sultry and seductive vocals to this SandM inspired song and these, in league with Dalia's Mix of German and English spoken vocals and some erotic breathing makes for one of the sexiest songs you're ever likely to hear!!
Another female vocalist, one Jossee B teams up with Mother Motor on the excellent "You're Logic" which mixes a taste of drum and bass and cool spoken female vocals that are mesmerising and attention grabbing, almost mermerising, in fact although she sounds like a hard woman!! Mother Motor's closing track "Oceans" is a pleasant if unadventurous synthpop piece that, despite some pleasant instrumental sections at the start proves a bit of an anti-climax in comparison to some of the other tracks.
NF Brooks goes for a more dancey, very chart friendly sound, even down to some Italian House-style piano and should Intelligent want a hit this is likely to give it to them. The infectious rhythms, good vocals and powerful delivery make this a more appealing track than it might sound. Similarly dancey (bt a lot warmer and with more synthpop credits) is L'Image Synthetique's "Away" as remixed by DJ Ram (Virtual Server) and Monopoly.
This release marks Intelligent as a label that deserves far more exposure than it currently receives and one that all synthpoppers will do well to check out.
RATING: 8
Artist Link: http://www.intelligent-communications.de
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