This review starts unfortunately with the horrible News that Ben Bloom, responsible for composition and production for REIN[FORCED] died a few weeks before, just after the release of this CD. Our sincere condolences go out to Ben’s family, as well to the both other band members Jim and Turner and to the label DSBP. It’s a bit hard now to come back to the daily business, to write this review.
This release is not really a debut, it is moreover the second release of a band called FORCED, which could release its debut "Cherophobia" also on DSBP in collaboration with the side-label Optikon Records. The original band quitted its business somewhere in 2003, but Jim Semonik could integrate new members, he changed the band name into REIN[FORCED] and here I hold the result thankfully (probs to you, Tommy!) in my hands. Globally there aren’t too much changes in the style of this act, but why change a style if this act has found a very special niche and authentic sound? Also REIN[FORCED] provide the FORCED-like dual voice attacks, high-speed EBM tracks with rotating sequences and ass-kicking d’n’b flavors mixed in the straight arrangements. No European EBM band will ever be able to produce such stuff in this very unique style, that’s for sure. The EBM content placed in the kind how to produce pummeling bass lines maybe has lost a bit of intensity, therefore this act has grown a lot musically, mostly all tracks show some special things which proof a big knowledge in production and arrangement. The biggest winning point of this release is for sure the fact that it is able to cause a hurricane on the dancefloors, while it is still listen- and enjoyable at your home entertainment. Best worked out tracks can be named here with the opener "Waster", "Commitment Suicide" and "Cyn-Dicated". Note also the last track "Crisis", which features a female voice input done by Dagny Neel. As usual for the DSBP label – this release deserves a big recommendation and features outstanding stuff regarding music, production and style!

My god this is "supreme electronic-piano-music pop glitchness", does this definition make sense to you?. Whatever you think, Carpark keeps following its "electronic but melodic" root and you can bet this japanese is the author of many exquisite pop tunes. I think the nipponic taste for pop-music here gets along pretty well with modern electronic music (totally instrumental) and with a perfect use of the laptop. This cd plus dvd combines moods a la Stereolab with sounds a la Yoshihiro Hanno, analog sounds of harmonium, acoustic guitars or pianos (hyper melodic pianos) or get crossed by digital fragments that give the whole recording that characteristic "electronic shape" while most of its principal melodies are based on acoustic instruments. What's the difference between a good record and a ordinary one? Class and I’m not afraid to say Masakatsu has it, at last utilizing the language of many of his contemporaries he's able to manufacture real melodic gems. For what concern the dvd I’ve been kinda surprised by the fact it’s really similar to the last Yoshihiro Hanno’s work, the interface is more minimal "plug and play" sort of and with no division between the different clips but truly similar. Water, shadows, fireworks, children, black and white... yes the similitude starts by the subjects of the clips but c’mon isn’t that the matter of our subconscious? Jung himself would be glad to sit down in front of his tv set and have a "reverie" thinking this’ "a sad and beautiful world". Masakatsu music sounds like an everlasting summer.

I know it's a shame but the only Dj Olive’s release I own is the project on SYR where his comrades are Kim Gordon, Ikue Mori and Jim O’Rurke. Sleep is a really long suite that respects the premise of its title, and that does not mean this record is boring, no way!. I can imagine it may induce many listeners to fell Morpheus’ kiss but in a really delicate manner, like the gentle breeze that carries dead leaves on the floor. The effect of this melodic and melancholic drones will make it in the heart of those who loved Andrew Deutsch's "summer" and I write it cause music like that makes you feel warm inside. Nothing gets out of proportion and even if the world is overcrowded with drone music this' definitely inspired. An ambiental mood and a minimalist aesthetics both on the cover and in the music, probably DJ Olive intended this record for a private and patient listening, when somebody talks about music therapy I happen to think of something like that. Even if all of tempo/note changes are easily discernible, it's quite clear they're complementary parts of the same whole. For those of you who've experienced Brian Eno's soundtrack of Glitterbug...well, I'm sure if Jarman would be alive he would have loved to work on the visuals for "sleep".

"Engineered for Maximum Dancefloor Impact", so it is printed in black letters on a white info sheet. Should this be taken as a warning? Nah, take it as a hint of what you get here. This Cleveland based duo, consisting of DJ Cable and Pat Berdysz (the BRUNO of a US-legend called UV, www.uv-wavelength.com) has finally released its debut CD, this one here called an EP, but with a playing time of more than 78 minutes. So you’ll get a really filled CD for your money, just check back the nice DSBP mail order service for this. Some comparable similarities in comparison to the mentioned UV are of course given. The concept of this release reminds me a lot on the self-released UV debut "Refractions: Remixes In A Different Light". First of the long playing time, then we have on both some original tracks and several remix works, although on the ENCODER EP are more original tracks featured – and then finally we have on both releases the appearance of Romell Regulacion of the Hawaiian act RAZED IN BLACK. He has done the lyrics and vocals for the track "November", a sentimental Futurepop-inspired track here which is available in its original version and in a remix done by BRUNO. So you get it already on the first 3 tracks on this EP here, where the musically journey goes and where to find the biggest differences between UV and ENCODER. ENCODER definitively presents the softer side, Synth/Futurepop and only with a very few EBM influences. The title track "Supernatural" is well done, available here in its original version plus in three remix versions done by good names like BRAINCLAW, INTERFACE and DECODED FEEDBACK. The second main track "Dancemotherfuckers" is mostly a fast paced instrumental piece simply containing the command "Dance Motherfuckers!" with modern dancefloor rhythm patterns and well played bass lines. Not the greatest composition in lifetime for sure, more a track to show technical abilities, but damned catchy. Remixers at work here are DJ CABLE himself, FLESH FIELD, TERRORFAKT and the German act SCHATTENSCHLAG. So we have finally a few other tracks available in their original versions – and that's for sure is the best part of this EP, it gives a better introduction to the ENCODER sound than any remix work. Worth to mention are here "Rush", "Now You’re Gone" and of course the harsh piece "Contraption" – all tracks feature darker instrumentals and rougher vocals as well. On the other side we have two more tracks, "The Killer’s Last Stand" and "Erased" which give me the impression that they are musically ready produced – but someone has "forgotten" to include the vocals. Really – these tracks would work a lot better if they would feature a singer – for instrumental pieces these tracks are too uninteresting produced, the vocalist is hardly missed here. Please note also the eye-catching artwork featuring the Goth beauty Malice (www.beautydestroyed.com) – the info mentioned, that "it is still better to purchase this CD than downloading it". I would say, it is the best to know her somehow personal – but don’t tell this my wife...Although it is a bit strange for me to get mostly Futurepop-inspired stuff from the DSBP label, I’ll find this one impressive, the more I listen to it. Musically diversity is presented rich, also thanks to the valuable remix contributors presenting different styles of electronic-based music. Also the long playing time of this release makes it to get purchased.

Yes, it took me a while until I had the right feeling for this review. But this has nothing to do that this release would lack somehow of quality, no, it depends more on the opposite of this. I have heard a lot of Synthpop/Futurepop influenced stuff, but lately nothing like this second CD of this Australian duo. Especially the vocals done by front man Jordan Robbins are somehow strange, but also beautiful placed in the mix, plus Robbins is able to change the octaves. A very catchy and important point in the music of RESURRECTION EVE for sure. But also the music has its quality and surprises to offer. Take the slow starting and with decent piano and flute sounds arranged "Hope" as a well produced reference here – the rich musical content only placed in this track beats a lot of Genre-related acts out of this playing field! RESURRECTION EVE have found the right feeling to fill in a well working melody when needed without sounding like heard several times before. And although they are sounding modern and up-to-date, they still do not feature that typical F-Pop sound, on which almost everybody has to suffer in between. Next to the already mentioned "Hope", I would like to advise you to check out their tracks "Life", "Ascension" (danceable, but strong melodic...) and "Guide Me Home" (remarkable Synthpop entertainment...). Also RESURRECTION EVE are a member of the Australian Crash Frequency community (www.crashfrequency.com). This album has a lot of to offer, also for some open-minded Electro listeners. What a pity that their label Ground Under Productions in Australia has finally closed their business doors – for Europe this great release is still available through Endless Records, for the USA you have to contact the known mail order resources like DSBP or Metropolis-Records. Get it!