failure
after my quite negative review of band's first album, I did get to meet tom a few times as well as see band play live. I do have to say that a23 live is very impressive, and it is amazing how the crowd responds to tom's energy. I too found myself moved by his powerful onstage presence (check last year's a23 live show review). but live atmosphere is quite different with "one-on-one" close listening, and for the most part all of my opinions about "contempt" remain unchanged.
I approached "failure" more cautiously, trying to be as objective as possible, taking my time listening to this album. this time around tom brings us an album that capitalizes on success of "contempt", featuring more tracks similar to "purgatory" with a strong club appeal.
the sound has been "upgraded", while the style remained the same. polished and clean, perfectly produced and mixed, it leaves a more solid impression than "contempt". a23 is not frantically searching for the style, there are only a few tracks that bother me with overly old-school style. yet, most of my old complaints remain - I hear too many familiar elements in each track - vnv, covenant, generic synth-pop - you name it. those familiar elements are "pieced together" better blending more seamlessly into the music, but it makes it even worse - at times it bothers the hell out of me, when I am trying to place this or that incredibly familiar element. I can only speculate whether it is the same equipment used, or subconscious following same writing styles, but the result remains the same.
as I said before, this would be a great album for someone looking for easily accessible summary of current dancy electro styles (and I guarantee that the charts will confirm this). I myself would happily dance to it in the club, but it will quickly fade away as a "listening" album, not taking you beyond catchy melodies.
most memorable tracks on the cd are the most danceable ones, fluid steady electro with different vocals styles - from distorted more aggressive, to clean and melancholic. my favorites probably include "I am the rain", "awake", "house on fire" (maybe its very "poppy" sound is what seduced me).
closing "king of insects" deserves a mention, since it is the only non-danceable track that I really like. percussion on it is never dominant, it is merely supported well-balanced strings and elegant melody. the track never pushes itself on you, gracefully moving along with melancholic vocals.
"disappoint" is yet another track I would like to mention. it was great live, and its emotional nature sets it above the rest.
overall, I do appreciate more mature, varied sound of this album, but I do not find myself within its target audience.