Client

by

Client

Edit

I didn't know what to expect after commiting to this CD. I do admit to listening to the opening track with a goofy smile wondering if this was for real. It is and that's a great thing. The simplicty of the sounds matched with the accented vocals give these songs an unexpected depth. For a first release, there are kernels of pop greatness here. The lyrics are evocative and at times rival the synth for music domination. which is fine. The tracks creep up and hook you when you least expect. I found myself playing the disc over and over. Like eary-80's techno, it's not really hard but subtle and suprising. Definitely above-average and worth looking into.

The person who said this is a rehash and you've heard it before was close but didn't explain why they thought it was unsuccessful.

The person who said this is a Ladytron rip-off just is misinformed -- that's like saying Wings is a rip off of Emerson Lake and Palmer. In that case don't listen to Dot Allison's "We are Science" either (even though it is an amazing album) because it sounds like Ladytron. This is clean sounding not textural like Ladytron. And besides Dubstar explored more rich songwriting 8 years ago than Client did on this effort. I'm sure Ladytron has some nice things to say about Dubstar. To give Client some charity, I believe this is a slump. (the second album is better anyway.)

The reason this is not as tight as Ladytron or Depeche Mode (if I need to go on a rant) is because of songwriting... The same reason Garbage isn't as tight as Curve. Yes, it is possible to play off of someone elses' explored territory and bring in new elements and not write an amazing album. That's what this is, good sound, good mix of elements; mediocre songwriting. Sorry, but it had to be clairified.

Some songs are better than others. Some of the lyrics are cheesy and hard to ignore. I LOVE Dubstar and Ladytron, I like this album, but in the end it's dismissable.

Anybody heard from Steve Hillier?