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Title: Tranquil Places
Artist: Underwater Pilots
Genre: Electro Pop
Release Date: 21st October 2008 (US) / 15th November 2004 (Germany)
Label: Repo Records / Van Richter



Album Review

Even though both members of the UNDERWATER PILOTS enjoyed a classic musical training both ended up in the electronic music sector due to their fascination for this kind of sound. You might know one member under his alias XABEC under which he’s also co-produced ANNE CLARKE’s latest album ‘The smallest Acts of Kindness’. The debut album of the duo ‘Tranquil Places’ has already been released in 2004 and currently they’re putting the finishing touches on the yet untitled successor.

‘Loud and Clear’ opens and delivers typical electro pop fodder with a club-ish pattern, catchy hooks and melodies. Following is ‘Welcome to the World’ whose roots are deep in the 80s. It has a very special atmosphere that’s lasting throughout every second of the track. What I hate about it is that close to the end one minute is filled with repetitions of the chorus. That’s absolutely nerve breaking and unnecessarily stretches the track. The third album track ‘’I Prepare’ an instrumental also has a very unique mood inheriting it; very claustrophobic and angst-laden. You’re feeling like being trapped in a dark place with no light switch from which there’s no escape. ‘Why Can’t It Be Simple’ atmospherically is nearly on the same page as regards this. Perhaps a bit less frightening mixing in some sorrowful and reflective tones in their stead and vocals seeming to be reverberating through worlds! ‘Ice Cream’ without wanting to sound insulting appears to me like a ridiculous piece of 80s fun pop which I have no sympathies for and one of the synth melodies is suspiciously familiar to me. The club species will love it for sure though.

After ‘My Darkness’ has ended the regular track listing with a pleasant and playful drum’n’bass surprise there’s two remixes of the first album tracks topping the album of. Both are pretty different. The Tranquil Mix’ of ‘Loud and Clear’ by Italian project DOPE STARS INC. turns it upside-down into an organic rock tune. ‘Tranquil Places’ still is over average due to an amount of pieces with a special character but that being said it’s not an album that really stands out; not even by 2004 standards. But the new album is in the pipeline so I’m waiting for what’s to come with it and see if it can excel its predecessor.


Tracklist

01. Loud and Clear - 5:08
02. Welcome to the World - 5:04
03. I Prepare - 3:10
04. Leaving Home - 5:09
05. I Will Fly - 4:37
06. Why Can't It Be Simple - 2:13
07. Ice Cream - 4:57
08. Flood - 2:19
09. Survive - 4:46
10. So Safe - 5:34
11. My Darkness - 5:24
12. Loud and Clear (Tranquil Mix) (By Dope Stars Inc.) - 4:07
13. Welcome to the World (Mimetic Mix) (Mimetic Mix) - 4:58


Line-up

Manuel G. Richter - Vocals, Production.
Gregoire Vanoli - Live Electronics, Production.


Website

http://www.myspace.com/underwaterpilots


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 6
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 6.5 / 10


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