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| Electronica is arguably the easiest of genres to make a convincing song in: anyone can knock up some interesting beats and vaguely unusual backing given an hour or two with Fruity Loops. The problem is that it’s also probably the hardest genre in which to make a complete album. |
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It’s all too easy to end up with interminable minutes of repeated loops going nowhere and song after song of formulaic drum sounds. To make something new and interesting within the confines of the genre is something of a holy grail, seldom achieved.
Which brings us to Franz & Shape’s Acceleration. It’s instantly competent, but like I said, that’s not really an issue. The album also sounds distinctly dated, which is nigh on unforgivable in a world where The Knife’s Silent Shout has pushed the boundaries so far and wide as to more or less destroy them. Franz and Shape still sound a bit like a lesser Underworld - the drum sounds have that same intense artificiality, which continually mars the album.
The tracks themselves are consistently good, but only ever good: nothing leaps out as either excellent or dreadful. On the downside, songs are too drawn out and items of initial interest soon lose their sheen and dissolve into the background. Also, the tracks all tend to end abruptly and unconvincingly - suggesting the duo struggle in knowing when and how to stop.
Franz and Shape lack the creativity to go with their obvious competency. All the songs work, and achieve a genuine atmosphere of dark technological menace, but as a whole nothing inspires. Everything falls into the trap of being too cohesive, too alike, and it all sounds at least 10 years old, maybe twenty: do we really want to hear shades of Blue Monday here?
This is not a bad album. It’s far better than any number of identikit indie bands, and you can sense a talent and commendable ambition of scope. But this is far too in thrall to the likes of the superior Underworld (the dated samples certainly don’t help the cause), and lacks the freshness to mark it out as anything particularly special. In short, buy Dubnobasswithmyheadman instead. |
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| Mike Boyes - 8/10 |
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