Title: VorstellungsKraft
Artist: Root4
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 18th July 2008
Label: Sonic Boom Records
Album Review
The band ROOT4 exists since 1990 and their work is all dedicated to the electronic sounds created with Synths Drum machine or Sequencer. The last album ‘In your Life’ (2002) was a clean synth pop release. Since then their sound has developed more and more into the Futurepop / Industrial direction which you can find now on the new release ‘VorstellungsKraft’
The album is taking off with ‘I Hate Myself’ which has indeed the potential to set the clubs on fire. Not being an up-tempo but a mid-tempo track with powerful, lightly distorted beats and corresponding driving sequences, it will be perfect for this use. Just like the next track ‘Brainwashing’ which is a bit faster and comes up with a more melodic intro with stretched-out synth layers and ghostly ascending choirs. Hauke’s chant has become more melodic as well, though he still has to work a bit on it in my opinion. Beginning with a well-known sample followed by a straight sequence ‘Numbing Pain’ develops into a similar dance-floor oriented direction with crunchy beats but after the chorus everything stops for a while and spherical synths appear out of nowhere, getting louder and lauder to end up in a catchy refrain, giving the song a certain synth pop character. As you might have already guessed from the title ‘VorstellungsKraft’, the title-giving track includes German lyrics, initially building up only on a layered beat work; it’s getting much darker in the further course, starting with the chorus when sinister melodies begin to float throughout the rest of the song. ‘Burial Gown’ fairly shuffles its way through its almost 4 minutes duration and apart from being another candidate for the clubs, it’s one track that goes in one ear and out the other for me.
‘Vote’ has the same kind of layered drum programming I mentioned earlier and has an infectious dance beat, combined with a good pinch of melodies, mostly of a darker nature. Only coldest ambience penetrates the speakers when the first tones of ‘Eisbär’, a cover of the hit from the Swiss band GRAUZONE from 1981; and the new version has an 80s charm as well with its understated retro beats, very minimalist sequences and dark chant. I like that style. A dull heartbeat comes from afar to announce ‘Favourite Toy’ that starts full throttle with a hard beat; I assume it comes from a live drum kit. The melodies are rather subtle here and processed with many effects, while the vocals always stay clean. Two mid-tempo tracks follow with ‘Virtual Leader’ and ‘ Modern Man’; the first one being more of a hybrid between 80s retro feeling and modern technology with a soft spot for the melancholic side of things; the latter one being an all grown up stomper with a dense atmosphere and frisky melody lines. But after all this, the last track really comes as a surprise: A fragile ballad played on the piano with a little drum accentuation and lots of melody provides for an unexpected and mellow finish of the album.
On one hand there’s the really good production of ‘VorstellungsKraft’ and a couple of really strong songs, but it’s also an album that won’t really stand out of the mass of release in the Future Pop / Industrial realm because it clings to much on well-known structures, but I admit there’s admittedly potential for more. That’s just my humble opinion. Take a listen and decide for yourself as it’s always a matter of taste…
Tracklist
01. I hate Myself – 3:44
02. Brainwashing – 5:07
03. Numbing Pain – 4:02
04. Vorstellungskraft – 3:34
05. Burial Gown – 3:59
06. Vote – 5:09
07. Eisbär – 4:31
08. Favorite Toy – 4:08
09. Virtual Leader – 4:36
10. Modern Man – 4:00
11. Wait for You – 5:19
Line-up
Hauke Hein – Music, Vocals
Timo Jung - Music
Mark S. - Keys
Martin Matysseck (Drums)
Website
http://www.root4.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/root4band
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 7
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