Disclaimer: anything I can or will say may be used against me in a court of law as I have a secret penchant for Synth Pop. I blame this largely on Information Society, the local act that went BANG! back when with “I Want To Know (What You’re Thinking)”. A Christmas 1990 gift, I had their album on cassette and listened to it so many times the tape snapped. Twenty years later, I couldn’t think of a better time to rediscover the genre, which has been given a helping hand by La Roux, who’s been working with one of the acts on the compilation. There are 25 songs in all and I wasn’t bored for a second (but please re-read
above disclaimer). Here’s why:

Local Electropunks POP INC kick it off with “Looking 4 The KLF”, given a “chill trance” treatment by German remix team Symphono. I’m pretty positive Bill Drummond and The KLF would approve. Next up is an Erasure-inspired number called “Sisters Of The Brotherhood” (by Sheffield, U.K.’s Chris Jay). The lyrics are puzzling, but infinitely catchy. Canadians Melody and Mezzo come in third with a Hi-NRG mix of “I Wanna Be Your Star”. Finding it familiar, a trip to Google turned up a version of the song on Dance Dance Revolution, which I had a wee bit too much fun playing at Convergence 2008. Yeah, I’m a geek.

Looking for the KLF by POP INC – Pure Trance Mix by Symphono by sdm2

Next up is a Synth Pop sizzler called “Freaks Come Out” by Singapore’s Leonard T. I’m
currently contemplating sending Mr. T. a love note and a very lacy pair of panties by airmail. Leonard, if you’re reading this, please call me for a “date” if you’re in Minneapolis. Manchester, U.K. stalwarts Spray clock in at #5 with the Filterhouse Boys makeover of “Love’s Been Particularly Cruel To Me”, a small slice of Euro-heaven with Eurthymics references. This mixes smoothly into Empire State Human (Dublin, Ireland) featuring Digitize with “Melancholy Afro”.

New York natives Die Kinder make me nostalgic for Crush (‘member “Jellyhead”?) with “Got What I Need”. United Forces versus Cotton and Gin occupy #8 with “Music Over You”. To the female singer I say: you’ve got it right, leave him at the club! Essex, U.K. natives Cling serve a down tempo D&B vibe next with “Deeper Meaning” and Matinee Club (who I’ve been smitten with since hearing “Discotheque Francaise” on The Current), check in from London with “Fool In The Name Of Love”. Katsen bring us back to New York Electro with “A Pulse”.

“I’m gonna Make You Fall In Love With Me” Heaven 17 vs. Eight to Infinity by sdm2

Halfway through the compilation comes the Heaven 17 and Eight To Infinity collaboration “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”. Brilliant, not just because Heaven 17 have been working with La Roux, but due to the fact that they’re genuinely amazing. Glenn Gregory has a to-die-for voice; Martyn Ware as well as Ian Craig Marsh were in Human League. Speaking of which, I swear Soft Cell are haunting The Garland Cult vs. Qubiq track “Perfect Beat”. Isotopes of Neon offer up “Close Your Eyes” while French act Eloquent bring lo-fi electronic charm to “Circus Disco”. A second Minneapolis act- anaROBIK- step up with “Communicate”. Add the TC Electropunks and this is proof positive that synthetic dance music is alive and well in the American Midwest.

Next of note is the contagious Synth Pop shout-along “Teenage Timebomb” by Scotland’s The Electroluvs, as remixed by Hyperbubble. LOVE IT! Completing the compilation are Pennyliquid with “Clone Commander”, Sean Baron with “Bad E”, while Wave In The Head deliver “Technology”. A second track surfaces from Leonard T. (if this keeps up, I’m gonna be out of undies…) and Atlanta’s DJ Keri winds it down with retro House flavor on “Beautiful Girl”.

Note: POP INC are co-hosting the Synth Pop edition of 90.3 FM/KFAI’s Across The Board on Thursday, August 19th. Details: http://www.kfai.org/acrosstheboard

Links

NinthWave Records – Website
Heaven 17 – Website
La Roux – Website
POP INC – Myspace
anaROBIK – Myspace
Leonard T – Myspace
Spray – Myspace
Matinee Club – Myspace
Cling – Website
Electro Luvs – Myspace

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posted August 15th, 2010 at 11:47 am Reviews anaROBIK, HEaven 17, La Roux, Pop Inc., Synthetic Dance Music