SLAVE REPUBLIC - Electric One [2010]
SLAVE REPUBLIC (Germany) is Alec Fu (vocals, guitar) and Alex Alice (bass, keyboards). The band recently signed with Accession Records, a label that works with artists such as Diary of Dreams, Assemblage 23, Diorama, Painbastard or Panzer AG.
The duo captures our attention through its very felicitous synthpop style, well on the same line that made you love Duran Duran, IAMX or Diorama.
The material released on March 12 – “Electric One”, has in store all the necessary elements of a sensitive and harmonious album: 11 tracks, on the one hand soothing and gloomy ballads, meanwhile, on the other hand, exciting rhythms and electric beats, perfect for a clubbing night. Add to that a bonus of 2 feverish remixes by Haujobb and Olaf Wollschläger.
“Electric One” starts at full tilt with “The Driver”, a track that will transport you in the atmosphere of the 80’s, when Depeche Mode released their first albums. Further, “Hadron Collider” guarantees the listeners’ time travel, flowing in a much more alert way. The vibe of the alien beeps that give rhythm to the entire composition, will take you to a science fiction realm.
“Number Three” comes, obviously, third, and has an absolutely haunting rhythm, with acute New Wave influences. You simply cannot keep it straight while listening to it! Also, on this track, Lea Schäfer’s voice blends perfectly with that of Alec Fu – and the perspective of exploring the artistic value of female voices remains an option for future albums. Keep your ears pricked for “My Maker”, where indie guitars make their presence felt and fill up perfectly the electro sound and Alec Fu’s distinct voice.
“Electric”, title also featured in the album’s name, has a rejuvenating optimism and dynamic tone and it is here that the album climaxes, up until the ballad “Less Of Me” takes the floor. This latter track stands witness for the behavior of lovers who make unrequited confessions: “Would you think any less of me / If I told you that I loved you / Would you think any less of me/ If I told you that I cared”. Says Alec, this song is dedicated to all his ex-girlfriends.
“Truth Or Dare” is kindred in melancholy with the previous track, while on “Choking/Drowning” the guitar and bass make their presence felt best, rendering it the most aggressive song of this album. If you feel the need of a break, you are not going to get it that soon, since “Minimum Regret” with its chorus: “Sweat, Burn, Feel the tension/ Max pleasure, minimum regret”, encourages us to remain on the dance floor.
“Destiny” restores the meditative atmosphere of previous tracks, and prepares the listener for the Outro, “(I’m Your) Slave”, a melancholic composition, very friendly with the listener’s reveries.
“Electric One” will certainly delight both romantics and euphoria chasers of the dancefloor culture, through its ballads and the strong, electric vibe of its tracks.
Artist: Slave Republic
Label: Accession Records
Album: CD, Album
Release: March 12, 2010
SLAVE REPUBLIC on MySpace, Facebook
SLAVE REPUBLIC's official site
Written by Ina Dinu
Source:www.darkwave.ro