Yes, it has only been a few days, but it's already time to look at
the latest releases in the synthpop world! Plus, there's more good
stuff coming next week, so we're entering into that busy fall release
season. Fun fun!
NEW ARRIVALS:
Jens Bader "Zenith" $16 -- With three albums under his belt in the
last two years (debut release is currently available at a discount
price at
www.adifferentdrum.com) Jens Bader shows that he has no lack
of pop songs to share. This latest album sounds catchier to me than
previous releases with good song-writing and nice hooks, still played
with his usual blend of synthpop and classic new wave sounds. You
can listen to some of the songs from "Zenith" on Jen Bader's Myspace
page here:
http://www.myspace.com/jensbadermusic Also, listen to samples and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=Jens4Rotersand "I Cry" (EPCD) $8 -- This latest release from Rotersand
another EP packed with new songs and remixes, totaling 8 tracks.
These guys are at the top of their game, regularly hitting the German
alternative music charts and growing in popularity with each passing
release. They play a combination of dark synthpop and industrial
dance. You can listen to the title track on Youtube where somebody
posted it (don't know how long it will be there):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXeTRUzOgjIYou can see the entire track list and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=MET565Informatik "Beyond" $15 -- Another popular act from the Metropolis
Records label cranks out a new album packed with strong beats and
pulsing electronic soundscapes for the dancefloor. There's a nice
blend of intensity and melody, with an aggressive edge. I like a
couple of the songs with more of the dark synthpop touch,
like "Louder Than Words", which you can hear, among other songs, on
the band's Myspace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/informatik You can order the CD here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=MET562IAMX "President" (MCD) $8 -- To prepare the USA for upcoming live
shows, IAMX presents the first American CD single, "President".
With several import singles already under the belt, IAMX is now
hitting the USA with their campy yet catchy electronic pop sound.
Once you watch this guy perform, you won't soon forget it-- to get an
idea, you should check out the music video for President (which is
also included as a CD-Rom track on the single) here on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKv7FiaMHYASee the track list and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=MET566Moonlife "Dancing In the Sea of Tranquility" (CDR) $12 -- This new
release from the California synthpop band, Moonlife, presents a
collection of remixes from the band's previous albums, plus a new,
emotional song called "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". There are some
very poppy, danceable mixes, and also some slower, more moody mixes.
It's a nice synthpop release for the fans of light, simple, catchy
pop tunes. Listen to track samples and order here (check out the
samples from their last album as well):
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=XOXCD8Jameson "Majik" $12 -- This new synthpop act is bubbling with energy,
playing a lighter sound built around disco-flavored drum patterns and
bleepy electronics and a light, melodic vocal approach. For the most
part, it's a positive vibe in the album, even reaching to a
more "sexy" lyrical motif that projects an attitude of "I make music
to have a good time". On the opposite side of the spectrum of the
above mentioned Rotersand or Informatik, Jameson plays a fast-paced,
yet more light-hearted sound, which is even reflected in his cover
version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (hard to imagine THAT song being
light and bouncy), which I added to the pop-up radio player at
www.adifferentdrum.com/PlayerCheck out the Jameson page on Myspace to listen some more:
http://www.myspace.com/musicofjamesonListen to track samples and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=JAM8727Apraxia "Trite Permission" (CDR) $14 -- This electronic act ranges in
style from traditional synthpop, to Information-Society-like
freestyle, to techno. There's a little of everything running the
electronic pop gamut on this album. One song will be poppy and
catchy, then the next will be an old techno-style song built on
samples and crunchy instrumental sounds. I'm reminded in some places
of very early Front 242...back in the late 80's when industrial was
just getting going, with that blend of classic EBM. Check out track
samples and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=63447974425-9Stefan Bieri "Reminiscence Volume 1" (2CD) $20 -- Stefan Bieri is the
man behind the current space-synth (synthesizer dance) band
Anosphere, but he has also been behind several acts and projects in
the past. There are now two volumes, each one a double-disc, with
piles of his productions in the electronic / synth music scene. This
double-disc volume one includes tracks from The Discomutants,
Anosphere, E.N.O.S., and Steven Heartfile. This release is limited
to 300 units worldwide! See the complete track list and order here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=NWRCD003Stefan Bieri "Reminiscence Volume 2" (2CD) $20 -- This is the second
2CD set that takes a look at the man behind these bands: Anosphere,
The Discomutants, E.N.O.S., and Steven Heartfile. These collections
are limited to only 300 units worldwide! See the complete track
list for volume 2 here:
http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=NWRCD004PRE-ORDER!
The following CD is now available for pre-order. Place your order
now on and it will be shipped next month when it arrives from the
factory so you can be one of the first to hold it in your hand and
play it in your audio device!
BLUE OCTOBER "Walk Amongst the Living" $12 -- Blue October UK is back
with their 4th album, once again focusing on a blend of poppy,
Erasure-flavored synthpop hits and emotional ballads. The veteran
band reaches their highest level of production on this offering,
allowing their style and talents to shine. (Synthpop Addict Club
members need not pre-order.)
Listen to track samples and pre-order
here:http://www.adifferentdrum.com/artist.php?n=ADDCD1282
Also, visit the band's Myspace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/blueoctoberuk1 NOTE: Tracks from several of the above releases are featured on A
Different Drum's pop-up radio player, to help you keep in tune with
the latest in the scene:
www.adifferentdrum.com/PlayerEnjoy!
UPCOMING SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT (MILWAUKEE):
A Different Drum label artist, SOMEGIRL (see
www.myspace.com/somegirl )will be opening for The Cruxshadows on
their US Immortal tour in Milwaukee at the MIRAMAR theater
www.themiramartheater.com on October 31st, 2008.
Show time is 8pm and it is an ALL AGES show.
Tickets are $20.
Other artists performing are Alfa Matrix artists AYRIA and I:Scintilla
www.myspace.com/ayriawww.myspace.com/iscintillaThanks,
Todd
PS. Please forgive typos and goofy things written above. I wrote
this update late and don't have time to look it over. You know me
well enough by now to know what I'm saying...I hope!
