Word: synth-pop
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...Black Light” blends 1980s-inspired power chords, driving rhythms and synth waves worthy of French electronic composer Jean-Michel Jarre. Coupled with more traditional synth-pop flourishes, these elements create an uplifting, resounding musical landscape. However, it would seem that in their attempts to detach themselves from their old shtick of bouncing house music, the group have left behind a little of the infectious melodies that made them famous. But the impressive—and at times touching—musical flourishes on “Black Light” are well deserving of praise...
...remnants shape a strange topography; the result lies somewhere in between the new and the old and meshes the two in a vaguely discordant harmony. Islands’ predecessors, The Unicorns, released only one LP in their short lifespan: 2003’s critically-acclaimed work of uniquely sweet synth-pop, “Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone?” The songs were expansive and luminous masterpieces, eschewing traditional chorus-verse patterns; instead they meshed phrases and instrumentals into confidently organic art. This technique was best exemplified on that album?...
...Tick Tick Boom” is the logical sequel to their breakout hit “Hate To Say I Told You So”; it features similarly jagged guitars and arrogant boasts like “Yeah / I was right all along.” The synth-pop of “Won’t Be Long” is incredibly catchy and is the only song on the album that succeeds at something new. “Bigger Hole To Fill,” with its repeated titular mantra, recalls past album-closers “Antidote?...
...subdued and slowly builds upward into tenser and more earnest territory. Like “Magic,” “Up on Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days” is not what it initially seems: what begins as a somewhat silly candy-covered synth-pop wash evolves subtly into a furious electronic symphony, and then transforms yet again into a guitar-driven tempest. Here is “Lover”’s finest moment. The album does, however, have its shortcomings. After about ninety seconds of bizarre vocal interjections and erratic...
...intense and involving in a manner very rare for a rock song.“Dear God Please Help Me,” follows, which is the most effective track on the whole album. It is sparely orchestrated, with a slight mischievous twinkle that distinguishes the piece from the synth-pop to which Morrissey occasionally threatens to descend and allows the listener to concentrate on the words and delivery. The lyrics are vintage Morrissey, telling a tale of failed, confused lust; there are “explosive kegs/ between my legs” which soon leads...