Title: Fast Farewell
Artist: Sharon Next
Genre: New Wave / Electronic
Release Date: 9th July 2010
Label: Danse Macabre
Album Review
The birthday of SHARON NEXT dates back to the spring of 1995 when two like-minded guys meet and eventually decide to do something together! Said, done! A week later already, the first songs were in the pipeline and the results were more than promising. In 1996, SHARON NEXT contributed 3 songs to the compilation ‘Armatage Shrank’. By a devious route, a tape got into the hands of CARLOS PERON who was excited about what he heard and was one part of the production team, giving birth to the eponymous debut album, to be followed in 2001 by second effort ‘Happiness For Hire’, which for a long time should be the last release until in 2008 the band returned from a 5 year break with the EP ’Embrace In Holyhead’. Last Friday then saw the release of the new album ‘Fast Farewell’.
Dark prospects unfold with the album opener ‘Fast Ending’ and desperation takes hold while the soundscapes give you chills and the grand production of the song at the same time intrigues you. ‘Your Embrace’ turns out to be a dreamy 80s club anthem, descending into melancholy realms. The chorus alone with the piano touches already makes it a favourite. ‘Fairytale Romance’ is up next, but behind the veils of the ideal world this title suggests, shadows of a sad, lonely and wasted life appear, yearning for salvation that just won’t come and hope’s decreasing the more time is passing by. Also here, the song’s been equipped with a danceable structure to maintain certain club compatibility. An earlier phase of electronic music comes to mind when listening to the first moments of ‘Der Hase’ before getting its modern twist. The song is the first German-voiced on the album and sets a reflective mood for those who understand the language.
In the distance, we can hear a cold wind blowing around a house as the sinister backdrop to the reverb-drenched patterns of ‘In My Sphere’ which develops to more complex fashions in the further course. I would have loved to hear that song continuing with that minimalist, cold environment. Then it would’ve been perfect. Closing ‘Ich Kann Nicht’ (I Can’t) evokes comfort first with its soothing piano lines, which then give way to a different face as soon as the German lyrics get heard. First plus point goes to the overall good production of ‘Fast Farewell’ and the second one directly follows for the use of wonderful melodies. I missed a few real slow songs though. To every song there’s something danceable in one way or the other no matter the tempo. Well, that still doesn’t make the album bad. Go check it out!!
Tracklist
01. Fast Ending - 1:41
02. Your Embrace - 4:18
03. Fairytale Romance - 4:10
04. Der Hase - 4:57
05. Finelines - 3:39
06. Death's Bow - 4:29
07. In My Sphere - 4:38
08. Wuensche - 5:19
09. Outdoor Sex - 5:15
10. Holyhead - 3:13
11. Ich Kann Nicht - 3:22
Line-Up
Michael Ruin
Eric Lontra
Helmut Prixs
Anton Ritter
Website
http://www.sharonnext.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/sharonnext
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 7.5 / 10
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