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Title: It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex)
Artist: Zeromancer
Genre: Industrial, Rock, Electro
Release Date: 30th October 2009
Label: Trisol



EP Review

I guess that ZEROMANCER from Norway should be a well-known representative of energetic rock combined with industrial and electro sounds in Europe and the USA. In 2000, the band was founded in Los Angeles and soon caused quite a stir due the debut recording `Clone Your Lover´ and the same-titled single that became a huge club hit. By delivering albums such as `Eurotrash´ and `ZZYZX´, the Norwegians strengthened their position in the alternative music scene and gained a loyal following nearly world-wide. In this year’s February, the latest stroke entitled with `Sinners International´ hit the stores and was followed up by a club tour. Within the scope of that, I listened to `It Sounds like Love (But It Looks like Sex)´ as well as `Photographic´, a cover version of the DEPECHE MODE classic, for the first time. Even then, I was thrilled by both songs and therefore, I think that it was the right decision to release this EP.

The title track is a typical energizing ZEROMANCER piece coming up with the passionate vocals of lead singer Alex Møklebust who is supported by dirty guitars, forceful drums and subtle synths. As a prelude, a female voice resounds and is replaced by the battle shout-like and repeated exclamation “Sex!”. The dynamic verses featuring some tempo changes lead over to the track’s climax, the refrain, which is highly aggressive and seductive alike. Though `It Sounds like Love (But It Looks like Sex)´ radiates a in-your-face attitude, it is easy to chant along and absolutely suitable to complete a great concert experience. The dark and powerful `Mercenary´ displays rather electronic influences; less catchy than `It Sounds like Love (But It Looks like Sex), but with an irresistible effect the more you listen to it.

Actually, I’m very sceptical about DEPECHE MODE cover songs that seem to become kind of standard with regard to electro bands. However, ZEROMANCER’s `Photographic´ is one of the best cover versions I have heard so far. The entire song doesn’t sound like an uninspired copy because of a guitar-driven soundscape and Møklebust’s hypnotic vocals. Nevertheless, this version is able to keep the track’s original spirit - and that’s how a good cover song should sound like. Besides the aforementioned tracks, the EP also contains two remixes of `Sinners International´ and `It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex)´ which can be considered felicitous too.


Tracklist

01. It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex)
02. Mercenary
03. Photographic
04. Sinners International (Snifferdog remix)
05. It Sounds Like Love (But It Looks Like Sex) (Red 7 remix)


Line-up

Alex Møklebust - vocals
Kim Ljung - bass, vocals
Dan Heide - guitar
Noralf Ronthi - drums
Lorry Kristiansen - keyboards


Website

http://www.myspace.com/zeromancerzentral / http://www.zeromancer.com/


Cover-Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10


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