Title: Buried again
Artist: Colony 5
Genre: Electro
Release Date: 29th February 2008
Label: Infacted Recordings
Introduction
Today COLONY 5 is one of the most successful bands in the electronic pop genre but the whole story of COLONY 5 began back in 1999 when the project was founded as a hobby. Back then the music was heavily influenced by Synth Pop but soon changed into a faster and harder kind. The first release was the EP ‘Colony 5’ followed by the full length debut ‘Lifeline’ critically acclaimed by the press and the fans. The follow-up ‘Structures’ was released just one year later and also became a big success for the band but it’s also the year in which Johan Nilsson leaves the band. P-O and Kalnis continue as a duo and release the collection ‘Colonisation’ in 2004 including all tracks ever released on a single including a few new tracks. In 2005 it was time for the next album ‘Fixed’ preceded by the single ‘Plastic World’ and followed by the album ‘ReFixed’ on which all tracks of the album have been remixed by former band member Johan Nilsson. In 2007, more than two years after the last release, there was finally a new proof of life with the single ‘Knives’ serving as a harbinger for the upcoming album ‘Buried Again’.
Members
P-O Svensson – Music, Vocals
Magnus Kalnins – Keys, Lyrics
Website
http://www.colony5.com / http://www.myspace.com/weseekcolony5
Track Review
01. Ghost - 5:02
The title might be a bit misleading as this track is anything but ghostly and continues, what we already could experience on the single and sets the course for many tracks on the album an clearly shows the stylistic change to a more darker atmospheres underlined by heavy, stomping EBM beats.
02. Knives - 4:37
The preceding single track follows in the same footsteps and combines the stomping beats and heavy basses with those adorable melodies and a catchy hook carried by P-O’s distinctive chant.
03. Imaginary Girl - 3:20
We’re leaving the dance floor for a moment and approach the first pure ballad on ‘Buried again’. A slow and very gentle drum pattern is the foundations on top of which the clean vocals and spherical synths are put on, which remind a bit of the balladry tracks on the very first COLONY 5 album.
04. Absolute Religion - 4:05
Enough dreaming cause now it’s getting faster again and although the beat is undeniably danceable it is not a simple construction. A dark atmosphere dominates big parts of the track, especially the verse parts, while the great melodies are coming back with the chorus, while the beat gets a bit straighter.
05. End of Desperation - 4:20
For those who prefer the straighter dance tracks will surely love this one, as it’s the perfect candidate for the dance floors and has everything the devoted clubber needs plus the very special sense for melodies. Swedish bands seem to have a monopole for that
06. Fanatic - 4:10
…is a mid-tempo track creating a similar feeling to the one I had with ‘Absolute Religion’. A quite tricky structure during the verses becomes straighter in the chorus part. And the guys make extensive use of spherical layers. I can’t get enough of that.
07. Heart Attack - 4:17
A real anthem in my opinion that has all the trademarks COLONY 5 is very well-known for. It comes up with a strong electrifying dance beat fused with great melodies and a chorus you can sing along to after the first listen.
08. Closure - 4:17
This is what I call a real stomper. The beats are really hammering out of the speakers and you can’t resist the need to at least move your feet to the beat and at live performances this will surely be one of the tracks where people will constantly jump.
09. Too Young - 4:03
A thing I always loved about COLONY 5 is their ability to write beautiful, emotional ballads. This is one of those great tracks which sound a little bit sub cooled with very few melody parts coming from the piano but suddenly the beat stops and for a short moment it’s only P-O’s voice performing the chorus accentuated by the piano and some chorals before the beat sets in again and an instrumental passage follows.
10. Commitment - 3:55
There it is again. A classical COLONY 5 dance track but with all the new trademarks we already experienced on several tracks on the album. The bass has gotten way harder and distortion effects are used all the way through the song while the strong dance beat is pushing you forward through the verses to the chorus, where floating spherical melodies welcome you.
11. Get off my Back - 3:43
In my opinion the strength of this track mainly lies in the chorus expressing an overwhelming feeling of sadness and wistfulness intensified by the melodic riffs and dense ambiences. The verse parts on the other hand are comparatively minimalist with driving synth lines.
12. There’ll be a Time - 4:34
This is the song that displays the most industrial influences. Many melodies show a heavy distortion. One could almost think to listen to a song from another band. But there can be no doubt anymore, when the unmistakable chant and the great melodies appear on the scene.
13. Pills - 4:42
With the last song the guys put the hammer down for one last time. Even though it looks more like a mid-tempo track at the beginning, the appearing bass drum will put you right. It is again the chorus, where the hymnal melodies appear to lull you in.
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8
Conclusion
W had to wait almost three years for the next full-length of the Swedish duo COLONY 5 and the guys weren’t lazy during that time. Though it’s still COLONY 5 but you can’t compare it to the last album. The overall sound has become much darker and harder in every aspect. But still there are these great melodies and a voice that is putting its distinct stamp on each and every song. COLONY 5 have evolved while retaining their roots and created an album, which you can listen to from start to finish without the need to push the skip button.
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