SD6 in Gothic Paradise Magazine
SD6
Nicole Edmunds. Hailing from the Northwest area of the United States
the bring to us their unique brand of electronic music. Though
similarities range from many synthpop and EBM bands, they remain
unique in their own sound and style on this, their debut album.
Released on the 23DB label, and recruiting the help of Tom Shear
(Assemblage 23, Nerve Filter), the result is a well produce disc of
great music with an even ten tracks, they launch onto the scene in a
good way.
As a fan of great electro-pop and after the positive praise received
by fellow DJs, I was excited to pickup this work and check them out. I
of course had the impression it would sound a lot like Assemblage 23
and backandtotheleft, which is good, but I was pleasantly surprised
that what I heard was actually quite unique and not much at all like
those groups, other than they all fall within the electro-pop related
genres. Instead, what you have are some nice tracks varying from the
harder-driving dance-friendly pieces to some mid-tempo and somber
selections. Yet none of these really kick in the "four-on-the-floor"
techno beat, but all have a little different percussion make-up.
"Fallen" kicks off the album with a slowly building intro that finally
gives way to a driving synth piece with Brandon's solid vocals and a
mix of breakbeats that are enjoyable and not overbearing. Once again
the solid, but unique driving beats and style shine on "Twilight" with
a little bit of heavy EBM influences coming through. However, the
highlight on this disc has to be the solid bassline on "Believe" with
it's little bit of "swing" put into it. Everything else about this
track is solid, heavy electro-pop that fans can really enjoy, the
catch melody, the vocals and overall the powerful synths layered
throughout.
Taking a different turn is the excellent piece "Untruth" where the
female vocals take the lead over the powerful experimental electronics
and driven along with the slowly pounding rhythm. Really breaking the
mold is "The World Divide" with something of a deown-tempo electronic
piece, with light percussion moving it along, the pulsing slap-bass
gives it a darker edge, coupled with the moody vocals and lyrics,
keeping it well in the darker moods. Picking up the tempo and
intensity slightly, yet remaining well within this same style and mood
is "Nothing Now". "We Are As One" kicks off another round of mid-tempo
rhythms and a mix of electronic loops that remain interesting.
At this point the album takes a slightly different turn with
"Timestream". Matching something of the title and theme of the track
some ambient trace loops kick in as a woven backdrop for the simple
percussion and heavy bass drop that's real fun to listen to with a
large subwoofer. This full sound and a new collection of loops move on
a dance-friendly manner on "Everywhere", providing those that look for
the club tracks a little more material here. And the album wraps up
with some real thumping beats and the sample "I hope you don't mind
loud music" kicking off the finale to the album "Free". The disc is
finalized in club-friendly style with this piece with a steady, moving
beat and a combination of electronics that we've now grown to
familiarize with this band.
While the album isn't perfect, it's a great addition to any synth-
lovers collection, especially if you want a bit of variety in your
music collection, they've done a great job with this one.
Rating: 4/5
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