| Track by Track Review
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Division
Electronic textures bring this up in style. As the vocals join it really feels like we've been teleported to the 1980s. This is electronic pop music with a very retro texture. The guitar sound (when it's heard) is so tasty. |
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Quixotic
Guitar brings this into being with a bit of a funky edge. There is a soulful groove to this cut. It has more energy than the opener did, but is also mellower. The retro leanings are all over this one, too. The vocals get just a bit too processed on this number at times. |
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Hard Knot
Coming in more fully electronic, there are some odd bits of sound built into the introduction on this one. As it shifts to the song proper, though, the number gets into more 80s electro-pop territory. This is mid-tempo and classy. While this isn't a standout cut, I really like the section later where the arrangement gets more layers of sound added. It's gets dense and rich in terms of sounds. |
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Better Island
There is more of a guitar rock sound at the heart of this number. There are hints of funk in the mix. The whole song is suitably twisted left-of-center just a bit. Yet, it's still accessible. The is one of the standout cuts. It's also unique and intriguing. The non-lyrical vocal section further down the road is soaring and so cool, too. This even works a bit toward progressive rock at times. |
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Benova
Seeming to come out of the previous piece, percussion starts this. It's another tune that's more of a rocker. There are some definite jazz things built into this number. It is a short instrumental piece that brings more variety to the table. |
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Indifferent
I dig the funky groove on this. It's more on the electronic end of the spectrum. It's decidedly 80s styled. It is also one of the highlights of the disc. I love the guitar soloing later in the track. It brings a whole new level of class to this. |
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Whelmed (Interlude)
This short instrumental piece has some tasty music with the sound of someone walking. |
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Catching Me in Stride
A mid-tempo cut, this has plenty of that 80s cool at its core. The vocals on this are processed in an old school synthesized way. While I'm not a fan of altered vocals it works pretty well here. |
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Lazy Radio
I love the energetic piano that opens this cut. The number grows outward to a killer pop rock jam as the other instruments augment that arrangement. This is an up-tempo cut that works pretty well. This gets a parental advisory on the lyrics. There is some killer guitar soloing further down the road. |
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Reboot
Now, this is one of the highlights of the set. It's a more rocking number. It has some cool, almost proggy, elements at its core. It's essentially an instrumental (there are a few vocals, but basically non-lyrical ones). It has a lot of funk built into it, too. |
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Conversation
More purely 80s sounding, there is some funk on this piece, too. I like this, but it's not a standout. |
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Wake With Me
The intricate acoustic guitar that starts this brings definite variety with it. This is a short instrumental with some cool piano and more. It's another great bit of change. |
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Argentine
I dig the energized groove on this cut. It's another that even has some hints of progressive rock at times. This gets quite powerful as it grows and evolves. It's a highlight of the set. That makes it a great choice for closing number. |
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