Magazine: Clutter&Clank (Nor, 1/96)
elegant MACHINERY are the best synthpop band in Sweden. What they´re serving may not be creative. They sound like a band just awaken from a long sleep (from 1982 until now). In accordance of secure sources they use the same drum machine as Depeche Mode used on the Speak and Spell album.
You´re probably bound to an "old" sound then? Generally the soundchoices on the record are very alike. Our skilled writer, Nils Inge Graven, indicated that elegant MACHINERYs sound were jolting and unpolished. Maybe he´s right, but on this album they´re not jolting and the sound is not unpolished. Some things sounds old, but it´s well produced. The "jolting" sound are technically in tact.
Their best? Yeah, probably. Robert Enforsen´s vocals have also become much better during the years. At least his accent. "Yesterday Man" includes 12 tracks + intro. Pure synthpop nostalgica, spiced by melancholic and sensitive vocals. My assertion is that this is one of the best synthpop albums this century...
After a short intro we are served a dancable hit called "Save me". The whole start promises something good. Track 4, "Blind man dreams", is a high class song with GREAT vocals and second voices. On this song they show you how much they have grown as a band since the start. The refrainpart takes you to unbelievable hights. My tears in the eye socket fights to geat out. Beautiful and touching. Rest the record is becomes more like a parade march.
If you have the opportunity to seethis band live, do it. They´re also a great live act. Synthpop album of the year?
AM
Published: 2007-03-06
