|
As you might notice this album is now 3 years old but the quality and potential that this German trio possess means I thought it worth bringing to your attention. This is one that fans of De/Vision et al will definately want to sit up and take notice of. Like De/Vision, POQ have successfully incorporated guitars into their electronic sound which considerably beefs up tracks such as the opening "Forget To Breath" (which also reminded me of Mellotron) and "Cold Inside" which is the closest to De/Vision the band come, the chorus being almost a deadringer for them. This is not to call them copyists but if you're going to be influenced by anybody (and which bands aren't these days?) then you can do worse than be influenced by those two!! Another plus point is that they also have that knack of adding that little something that keeps the music interesting and makes each track more memorable. It needn't be anything massive, just the voice samples and Moby-like opening of "Need Someone" or the drum 'n' bass rhythms of the pacey "Hate My Smile" can be enough while the dramatic "Don't Break My Heart" easily delivers all that it's grand melodic opening promises. There are one or two so-so tracks strewn throughout the album such as "Heart For Sale", "Dream In Blind" and "Mother Is Calling" but these will doubtless appeal to synthpop purists due to their effective melodics and ever tuneful vocals which leaves the atmospheric ballad "Fatal Desire" to close the album on a grandiose and emotional note, the female vox adding that finishing touch to this excellent track.
Nothing has been released by the band since this album (and the Calyx website doesn't give much away concerning the band either!), I just hope they've not since called it a day as there's enough potential here to suggest that if they were to develop and refine their style further they should have a bright future ahead of them, perhaps even matching the achievements of the better known bands that I've stated as inspiring the POQ sound.
RATING: 8
Artist Link: http://www.calyx.de
|
Videos
TWEET