Search - Neuropa :: The Blitz

They found a new sound, and it works!

Wayneman | California, USA | 05/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think that this truly is a defining album for the lads from Australia. While I sort-of like their previous efforts, I, like a previous reviewer stated, really only enjoyed certain songs, such as "Bound".



But on 'The Blitz', Neuropa's recent affiliation with Apoptygma Berzerk seems to have influenced them in a very positive way. Their sound now is edgier, dirtier if you will. Seemingly gone is the "bubble-gum", slightly immature sound of their past.



However, one doesn't get the sense that Neuropa has completely abondoned their earlier style. The tenor vocals are still crisp, clear and beautiful as ever. The biggest change has to do with the instrumentation. It is still very danceable, but a lot less contrived than before.



I hesitate to say they use a gritty-sounding guitar on this work, for fear that purists reading this review will simply write them off as sell-outs. Don't worry. They are still a synthpop act, but a little darker. I like this, but I imagine that some won't.



My favorite songs are the hardest on the album, such as "Lost In Lust", "Invincible", and "New Tomorrow." "Hardline" is solid as well.



This is an excellent album, which I believe will propel the band to greater popularity. Cheers!"

The Best Neuropa Album

Justin Waters | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wasn't taken by any of Neuropa's previous albums; I mostly just liked individual songs - "Rules To Break", "Regrets" and "Still In Time" are among my favorites. I'm not sure what it is, but the rest of their material just failed to connect with me. And it always puzzled me because the songs of theirs I liked were so strong.



This album (which my best friend lent me), I instantly liked all of the songs from the first listen, which is rare. Talk about refreshing - THIS is the album that I knew they were capable of making! "Hardline" starts things off nicely enough, and I was hoping that it wouldn't drop off from there. It didn't. On the contrary, "Invincible" stormed right in and it never slowed down from there.



On "The Silicon Teens", I was almost expecting somewhat of a tribute to the early 80s Daniel Miller project, but it stays consistent with the sound of the rest of the album and is one of my favorite songs.



If I had to say anything critical about the album, it would be from a production standpoint - the silence between the songs is way too long. I don't mind a few seconds of silence, but I want the next song to start right up so I can maintain that level of euphoria. And when the length of silence between each song clocks in at around 10 seconds, it may not sound like a lot, but for me, it interrupts the flow.



Other than that very minor detail, this is an amazing album from a great band, and if they weren't before, this should put them among the artists mentioned in the same breath as Anything Box, Elegant Machinery, Camouflage, Echo Image, Seven Red Seven and other pillars in the Synth-Pop community.



I thought about burning a copy of this CD for myself, but this album is so good, I'm buying my own. And so should you!"

Mature?

J. Burton | Central Florida, USA | 12/27/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Neuropa sinks in this album. Gone are the complicated patches and swirling programs. What left is barely crafted darkwave thoughts, and it doesn't sound good. If darkwave is your stick, stick to Seabound or other bands that are more developed in the sound. Disappointing!"