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This latest album from the British trio of Colin Jordan, ShirleyAnn Davies & Andrew Slegt has been on the market for round about an year now but it's not received even a fraction of the exposure or acclaim it deserves so, better late than never, here's a wake-up call to the effect that this, easily their best album to date, is one album that all synthpoppers should check out pronto.
That it took seven years to record indicates that the album has had a rather tortured genesis but, on the plus side, these unavoidable delays have allowed the band to refine the tracks to new heights of excellence & while I'm sure they're going to hate me for saying this the spirit of kraftwerk is still in evidence here, not only on the shorter snippets that ape (in spirit at least) those on Radioactivity while, between them, "Digital World" & "Satellites", which cover both the good & bad sides of technology a la Computer World, combining to make one 11-minute suite that sees the latter acting almost as the former's darker twin. Similarly, several of the abstract instrumental breaks are reminiscent of those on Home Computer in particular although there is an essential 'Britishness' to the Kinetik sound that gives them a more distinctive edge, starting with the short electronic waltz that is the title track. This is likely to raise a few eyebrows in the band's long-term fans but it works &, besides, little surprises like this are always good to keep you on your toes! Elsewhere "Marconi" is as fine a piece of synthpop as you could ever wish to hear while the stars of the show come in the form of "Sine Language" & "Modern Musique", both of which have the potential to be mainstream club hits if they were promoted right, both being amongst the most commercial & easily the most instantly infectious that the band have ever produced. In total contrast, "Over & Out" sees the band at their most emotive with Shirleyann Davies' Electronic Wind Instrument well to the fore, setting a quite haunting & evocative note that shows their versatility beyond doubt, ending the album on a quite superb note.
And if that wasn't enough you can, if you're quick enough, get your hands on the limited edition 'Modem Times Supplement' CD+DVD. The CD contains some of the band's best works from the past (Including the bouncey "Go Elements Go" & "Tranz Continental", which Andrew Slegt co-wrote & which pre-dates the forming of the band) while the DVD boasts a tour round the studio, promotional videos & an 'at-home' interview which makes this an unmissable package & remember, they're doing it all themselves so get in touch & grab yourself a copy today.
RATING: 9
Artist Link: http://www.kinetik.fsnet.co.uk
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