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REVIEWS OF TWIN CITIES ELECTROPUNK VOLUME 4
From DarkTwinCities.com:
Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4
Review by devil
Variety recently reported that retailers have sounded the death knell of the Compact Disc. Sales have continued to decline over the years and the past holiday season was the worst yet. Next December, should you be looking for an album to give to a friend or family member, you may have to look online since stores will be making room for items that actually sell, as opposed to the racks upon racks of the CDs you've become accustomed to seeing.
Todd Millenacker refuses to help matters.
2008 is barely two weeks old and we're seeing the release of the fourth installment of the popular Twin Cities Electropunk series spearheaded by the Avenpitch frontman. Incorporating a DIY ethic that reaches beyond the Punk of years past, the Electropunk compilations are reminiscent of the traded mixtapes from back in the day, but instead of people putting together low-quality rundowns of their favorite songs, they're actually writing and recording fairly decent quality songs themselves then handing them out for free at shows.
That's right, the Twin Cities Electropunk, Volume 4 CD is free to anyone that attends the January 12th release party or the shows performed by any of the bands included on the album. You can even download it (along with its three predecessors) on tcelectropunk.com. They're giving it all away. How Punk Rock is that? Record Labels and profit margins be damned, which seems to be the prevailing outcome.
The most enticing part of the entire project is that you're getting some really good music in the process. The old adage, "you get what you pay for," certainly doesn't apply. This isn't just a handful of pitiful local kids doing their worst impressions of contemporary music, many of these acts are displaying some interesting musical layering that includes elements of dance, electronic, and rock (Classic, Punk, Metal and otherwise). It features a large group of individuals raised on a broad palate of tastes in sonic expression and condensing it into something unique to a young generation looking to build a new kind of excitement in popular music. And it's working. While no one can readily agree just where the term "Electropunk" came from or where the "movement" started, the scene local to the Twin Cities is capitalizing on its growth and becoming the defacto hotspot for the genre, in large part due to the continued success of these compilations and the bands that contribute to it.
Volume 4 is the most compelling collection of songs yet, starting out with another pogo-inducing winner from Avenpitch, then switching gears into a beautiful pop-rock kiss-off executed by the group ikki with just enough of a sneer to keep it accessible without being cloying. "Goodbye Cruel World" is definitely a highlight in the mix, and will certainly sell you on the idea of keeping this CD in your player. Strong tracks by familiars like Audio Victim, OBCT, Thosquanta and heavyweights like Amdeide and Mach FoX elevate the collection to "must-have" status. Each act included was required to contain elements of rock and electronic, and also be able to perform their music live, so you're not just simply getting a patchwork of sounds created in someone's basement that will never be reproduced in an organic fashion.
You're going to like quite a bit about what Millenacker has assembled here, as there's truly a wide variety of tastes represented. You can thumb your nose at the "punk" reference, but what this all represents is certainly far more Punk than much of the music carrying that banner in the past twenty years, particularly on commercial radio. What have you got to lose, anyway? Certainly not money. Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4 might not intrigue you from start to finish, but you're sure to find plenty of enjoyable moments over the course of nearly an hour's worth of local music. And I'm willing to bet that, once finished and digested completely, you'll go looking for more at tcelectropunk.com as well.
From Grave Concerns:
What is all this strange stuff coming out of Minnesota? What is Electro-punk? The guys at Avenpitch are making it easy for you to find out. They offer free downloads of their Electro-punk series compilations, volumes 1 through 4. There are endless amounts of gems among the previous volumes in this series and volume four does not prove to be any different. While the mixture of guitars and synthesizers is hardly groundbreaking, the combination of rebellious punks, new wavers, and computer geeks to spit out volume after volume of great songs was more than a good idea. Do I hear volume five anyone? - Matt Willis
From LocalM.com:
TC Electropunk Review
By Craig Rhode
I don't know why I love Electropunk, but I just do. It pretty much began when I was at Kmart store, and I picked out an Information Society CD out of a Kmart bargain bin. I know that Information Society wasn't quite Electropunk, but it was the first album I heard that was pure Electro. It was that CD that opened my eyes to such bands like Lords of Acid, Gravity Kills, Nine Inch Nails, Chemical Brothers, Ministry and other bands that showed the mainstream that Electro/industrial/punk is a real music genre.
That same domino effect happened when I came upon Mach Fox. Mach Fox was the first band that showed me that anybody can do Electro/Industrial. I'm not saying that in a negative way; I'm saying that the technology to make Electro type music has been dropping in price and evolving so that the normal musician on a tight budget can afford Drum Machines, Keyboards, Synths, and other devices that allow bands to perform Electro live.
TC Electropunk Volume 4 is the greatest example of the continuing evolution of music production and performance. It would be very hard to find a band like OBCT ten years ago, but due to the fact that the technology is widely open to the masses, it is now possible to see them play live.
Now it's time to actually review this album, and the verdict is f-ing awesome. I know that's the most unprofessional phrase to use, but it's the very first thing I said when I got to listen to the album. I haven't been able to stop listening to this album. I have added all the tracks to my normal play list on my computer and my Archos 504. (Yeah, I don't own an Ipod). Your favorites like Avenpitch, Mach Fox, OBCT, and Thosquanta provide examples of how much they have improved from the previous releases of TC Electropunk. It's the new bands on this release that really gives the notion that the Electropunk scene really rocks in the Twin Cities. New comers like Zibra Zibra, Milkbar, SMB, and Unicorn Basement are a welcomed addition to the myth and magic known as Electropunk.
Did I mention that this album is free for download? It's true! You can download the complete album at TC Electropunk Web site. You can also find a compact disc version of this album at the local Twin Cities show. Check out the interview with Todd Millenacker from Avenpitch who is also the creator of the TC Electropunk collection. The photos are courtesy of TC Electropunk.
From Party Ends:
Maybe it is just the Hold Steady’s graceful devotion to the Twin Cities that has been occupying my mind all week, or maybe its just coincidence that I just ran across a great little DIY comp called "Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4" but I can't seem to escape music coming from the cold weather filled home of the Twins. The way Craig Finn paints it, Minnesota is full of drugs, horse races, and people talking like characters out of Springsteen songs - but this comp leads me to believe that there are some diamonds in the synthesizer-loving ruff up in Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is not all my cup of tea per se - some of the artists get a little too Ramestein-y for my taste but some of it is fantastic- the Standout acts are Avenpitch, Iron Balls Magente, Zibra Zibra (could easily pass as a TMBG cover band), Unicorn Basement and Gigi Ranchero.
The intentions of the comp series is incredibly noble. The tightly knit electronic music underground prints up 1,000 copies and gives them away for FREE. Don’t live up there- no problemo- they also post the compilations online at www.tcelectropunk.com for free download. Not too shabby.
From Smother.net:
Minnesota's electro and synth-rock scenes have been getting a major boost from the kind folks in Avenpitch and their collaborations with other electro groups via these compilations. Avenpitch starts things off with a punk-y '80's party rocker in "Desperado" complete with fun-filled Zelda-inspired synth choruses. Milkbar's "Stop (Check Me Out)" gets the adrenaline pumping with their female-fronted electro pop anthem. Other notable inclusions are Zibra Zibra, ikki, Amdeide, and Mach FoX. Peep 'em. - J-Sin
From Lunch of Champions:
I'm not an expert on electropunk, or electro full strength either, but this collection of MPLS Electropunk is something to be proud of! The fact that someone can sit in their basement and write this stuff out of thin air is admirable. I'm just going to tackle what I feel to be the stand out tracks on this most recent collection.
The disc starts off with "Desperado" by Avenpitch. This is definitely one of the top three tracks on this collection. Avenpitch sounds the most like a "band" and something that you could really enjoy seeing live. The track is memorable, exciting and thoughtful. This band could easily move into live band form and still retain the "electropunk" sound that is desired. Next, ikki's "Goodbye Cruel World". This feels almost like a sing-along for adults. The drums are very industrial, hard hitting and full of great American cheesy goodness. The seduction of Milkbar comes in next on the list. The song "Stop (Check Me Out)", starts with a hilarious phone conversation from what sounds like a pimp and a somewhat unsuspecting female. The song moves into a very confident L.A sexpot hook. This to me is pure electro. "Corporate Trance" by Iron Balls Magente is a song written by someone who knows how to write this stuff. It seems focused and the sitars in the background give it a lot of character. It also feels very British, cute and determined. Mach FoX's "Build it Down," is a fun cross between the B52's, New Order and Interpol. The guitar is pure Dream Theater/Billy Idol cheese, but it is totally forgivable and warranted. Great track! For you They Might be Giants fans, there is Zibra Zibra's "Lions on the Astroturf." The vocal tone is so close to TMBG that I had to check and make sure it wasn't. The song is playful and put together to be both funny and listenable to the ear more than once in your lifetime. Another stand out is "Private Apocalypse" by Apox. This track is nearly perfect. The 70's soul rhythms will remind you a lot of what the local MPLS Hip Hop scene has been so good at. It glides smoothly, but the vocal track feels secondary and unimaginative. I just wish that the melody of the vocals could have been as stand out and strong as the rest of the song. Otherwise, it is divine. Last is the track ">Sexy", coincidentally by a band called Unicorn Basement. They are loving what they do and showing that electropunk can be loose and not as serious as you may have thought.
TC Electropunk Volume 4 is a great collection of different styles all packed into this handy compact disc. Who knew that the Twin Cities housed such innovative Electro-songwriters? I know I didn't. Thank you to TC Electropunk for shining light on this local scene for all of us to enjoy, even if it's just a snapshot. - Charlie
From ReGen Magazine:
Various Artists - Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4
By Dillon Carlyon
A highly eclectic collection of tracks revealing the best offbeat electronic artists in the Twin Cities area.
Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4 encompasses the wide variety of genres and styles working their way into the creative mix of alternative electronic music. These run the gamut from '80s revival, electronic, punk, hip-hop, mainstream rock, and everything in between. The result is appeal for a wide audience, but it also means that the average listener will be turned off by about half of the tracks.
A significant number of the tracks sound like material straight out of the mainstream. "Goodbye Cruel World" sounds like something by Good Charlotte and "Pulled the Plug" features a lot of heavy-sounding guitar and vocals that sound like they were inspired by System of a Down. Other tracks like "Corporate Trance" and "Stop (Check Me Out)" are decidedly electroclash while "The Host," applying a vocal effect very similar to that of Snog, is largely synthpop in style. The same can be said of "Condition Humaine," a great song that corresponds much more closely to standard electronic music than most of the other tracks, possessing the driving beat and bleepy synths that have made more than one dance floor hit. "Divine Delusion" pushes the compilation to a darker note, combining quieter, subtle vocals that emerge from the background with a low bass effect. "Meet Me in the Digital Afterlife" reminds of Stromkern, only a few degrees lighter and more playful. ">Sexy" is the final track, ending the collection on a mediocre note with silly lyrics and clubby beats. For all of the simulated energy of this track, it's too one dimensional and flat to lend much of anything new to the songs preceding it.
On the whole, this is a respectable collection of songs. The lyrics are above average all the way through the comp, but the overall tone is a little too light and playful to lend the lyrics any real weight or impact. In any case, the main goal of this series of compilations is to showcase the wide range of artists and styles that are based in the Twin Cities-area, and Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4 certainly accomplishes this.
From Free Albums Galore:
Various Artists - TC Electropunk series
By Marvin
Electropunk is basically a catch-all phrase for a genre of music that combines electronic music with punk rock. Like original punk it has the feel of a do-it-yourself music spawned out of someone's garage. (As a long time observer of grass roots rock from the Kingsmen to the Ramones, I can assure you that the best of all rock music was probably born in a garage) While no one area can claim to be the birthplace of electropunk, some people in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul states their hometown musicians are at the cutting edge of this hybrid genre. I don't know about that, but the ongoing album series titled TC Electropunk certainly makes a convincing case.
The Twin Cities Electropunk organization appears to be a collective of Twin Cities bands loosely headed by Todd Millenacker of Avenpitch. Each volume was printed up and distributed freely at the participating bands' gigs. They are also available for free downloading at the TC Electropunk web site. So far there are four albums with weird and wild music by very talented and enthusiastic bands. Some are clearly punk with just a little electronic influence. Others veer closer to the electro-pop side but usually with a more boisterous and rebellious edge. Overall I find this music to be exciting and more innovative than any thing you're going to find on the tired commercial end of either rock or electronica.
Some of the artists show up several times on the four albums so you get a good sense of what these musicians can do. The ones that I thought were consistently interesting were Avenpitch, Zibra Zibra, Mach Fox, and Tim Rally Gold. Best single tracks? Here's my tentative at-the-moment faves...
Volume 4: Avenpitch's "Desperado", Ikki's "Goodbye Cruel World" (Chumbawamba meets The Cure?), Milkbar's "Stop (Check Me Out)" (The Spice Girls of electropunk?), Zibra Zibra's "Lions on The Astroturf", and Iron Balls Magente's "Corporate Trance" (The Devo of Electropunk?).
Volume 3: Tim Rally Gold's well crafted "Break-up at The Waffle House", Mach Fox's "Axion/FriXion" which could be called House Punk, Hondo's all punk "H.A.T.S", and Unicorn Basement's way over the top "Necrophilia".
Volume 2: Uber Cool Kung Fu's "Stand Together", Envy is Blind's "Sea of Flames", OBCT's weird and hardcore "Consume Until Rupture".
Volume 1: More cool tracks by Avenpitch, Mach Fox and Uber Cool Kung Fu, paranoid industrial punk rap in "Two Face" by Neo Void aka Audio Victim, and Endless Blue's gorgeous "Ninety-nine" which is so trip-hop it sounds a bit out of place.
Overall, I was amazed by the consistently high quality of this overview of local talent in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Prince and Paul Westerberg better take cover. The second wave of the Twin Cities rock invasion is here.
From Aiding & Abetting:
Various Artists - Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4 (self-released)
Fifteen tracks from some of the coolest bands in Minnesota. And, you know, that's pretty good. If you have any interest in the sound (the name does speak for itself), this is worth checking out.
From Mainstream Isn't So Bad... Is It?:
Twin Cities Mayhem
By Sean
"Nobody invented this electropunk thing. No city can claim it (though New York certainly tries). It's simply what happens when you take a generation of bored teens and twentysomethings - raised on hardcore punk, British techno, Nintendo, and Doritos - and place cheap digital recording technology within their grasp."
-TC Electropunk.com
Bring together fifteen bands from the Twin Cities area. To begin with, think Devo on some 'roids. Get a little dirty here and there (think Peaches), a sprinkle of some vintage techno-industrial (think Nitzer Ebb or KMFDM), some light-hearted silliness (They Might Be Giants or Gravy Train!!! anyone?), and just a whole lack of inhibition. End result: Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4, available for FREE at TC Electropunk.com. Try two of the tracks below, then head over and download the rest for your listening pleasure. To top it off, you can download Volumes one through three while you're at it!
From City Pages:
Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 4
By Christopher Matthew Jensen
At best, electropunk, as a genre, is an acquired taste. At worst, it's easily dismissed on the grounds that most of the people in this town who listen to it are either personal friends with or members of a band on this compilation. But perhaps that's not a bad thing after all. The most obvious benefit of being an electropunk fan is that you instantly belong to a community. The bands included on this all-local compilation truly do represent the best the Twin Cities has to offer in the genre, yet while there are a few bands here capable of filling a small all-ages venue, there is no marquee name. Thus, to be a fan is to belong, but what's the use in preaching to the choir?
For those who belong, electropunk's musical tenets, notably the garish pervasiveness of synthesizers, become rallying points. Screaming Mechanical Brain, for instance, are only the second musical act I've ever seen with a frontman on keytar (the first being John Tesh). Elsewhere, a snotty, mid-'90s, pop-punk vocal intonation on par with NOFX or New Found Glory pervades in the music of Avenpitch, Ikki, and MSRP. But for those who don't already identify with the tight-knit camp of electropunk faithful, these defining characteristics come across as annoying inside jokes. Even highlights like the über-campy neon fun of Zibra Zibra and the industrial-leaning Audio Victim can't save the record on the whole from being entirely discardable.
From The Onion - Twin Cities A.V. Club:
Twin Cities Electropunk Voume 4 Release Show
Spring Street Tavern Club Underground, 9pm, $5
The bands featured on the long-running Twin Cities Electroupunk Compilations can probably be subdivided into any number of subgenres-post-industrial, darkwave, techno, etc. - but that's probably less important than what they have in common, which is a DIY anything-goes attitude and a musical approach that downplays the guitars in favor of a small Best Buy's worth of synthesizers, laptops, and electronic equipment. Now in its fourth installment, the series, originated by Todd Millenacker of the group Avenpitch, is done basically as a labor of love, and, naturally, some self-promotion for the bands involved. These's no easier or more painless way to check out the local underground electronica scene: The albums aren't for sale, but instead are given away both as digital downloads (all four copilations can be found at tcelectropunk.com), and a limited run of 1,000 discs which will be handed out gratis at this Spring Street show. Seven of the bands on Vol. 4 will perform live: Thosquanta, Milkbar, Avenpitch, Apox, OBCT, Amdeide, and Zibra Zibra.
From the Star Tribune:
'Electropunk' rocks on
By Chris Riemenschneider
Even as the dance-punk heat wave that emerged nationally a few years ago with acts like the Faint and Rapture appears to have cooled, there's no shortage of these bands locally. For the fourth straight year, 10 to 15 of them have banded together to put out a "TC Electropunk" CD.
As always, this year's compilation features a bunch of bands not on the previous discs, including Zibra Zibra, Audio Victim, Milkbar and Gigi Ranchero. Returnees include Avenpitch -- which more or less spearheads the CDs -- plus Mach FoX, Unicorn Basement and Thosquanta. About half of the aforementioned are performing at a release party Saturday (9 p.m., Club Underground, $5). If none of these bands rings a bell, there's a good mini-documentary posted at TCelectropunk.com.
From Perfect Porridge:
You may remember last year when we covered Volume 3 of the Twin Cities Electropunk Compilation series.
Well, Volume 4 is here and after less than one listen, it's obvious the electropunk scene in Minneapolis is stronger than ever. Here's a sweet video featuring a bunch of the bands and some further clarification about the origin of the "electropunk" term.
Did I mention you can download it for free digitally (there's gotta be an electro-punk pun here someplace…)
Twin Cities Electropunk Compilation Volume 4 (zip of all 15 MP3s in 192kbps)
Here's the tracklist, including some old favorites and some new entrants to the scene:
1. Avenpitch - "Desperado"
2. ikki - "Goodbye Cruel World"
3. Audio Victim - "Divine Delusion"
4. SMB - "Meet Me in the Digital Afterlife"
5. OBCT - "Pulled the Plug"
6. Milkbar - "Stop (Check Me Out)"
7. Thosquanta - "The Host"
8. Iron Balls Magente - "Corporate Trance"
9. Amdeide - "Condition Humaine"
10. Mach FoX - "Build it Down"
11. Zibra Zibra - "Lions on the Astroturf"
12. MSRP - "Dead Horse"
13. Apox - "Private Apocalypse"
14. Gigi Ranchero - "Rotten to the Core"
15. Unicorn Basement - "Sexy"
The release show for TC Electropunk Volume 4 is Saturday, January 12 at 9PM at Club Underground and features 2 stages of non-stop electropunk music (21+ / $5.00). All patrons will receive a CD copy for free at the door.
More info @ tcelectropunk.com
From PlugInMusic.com:
Halfway across the United States of America, midway between LA and NYC, Minneapolis is not quite Chicago but not Fargo either. With so many surrounding influences, it is a little of this and a little of that. The ongoing Twin Cities Electropunk series showcases this collaboration of sounds while still letting Minneapolis find and celebrate its individuality. From high energy party music to thoughtful political commentary, goth to aggressive, Volume 4 has variety and familiarity as those synths pulse and pound.
Sounds Like: Fifteen interpretations of electropunk
Key Tracks: Zibra Zibra – "Lions on the Astroturf" / B+
REVIEWS OF TWIN CITIES ELECTROPUNK VOLUME 3
From Perfect Porridge:
Electropunk is a combination of electronic, synth-riddled music with the DIY attitude of punk for a certain type of musician who falls into both of the following categories:
1. One who lacks the accoutrements of urbane music (e.g., high-quality recording gear, studio time, name brand keyboards).
2. One who will simply not let cash, gear or recognition stop them from creating, producing and distributing their efforts.
While Minneapolis cannot claim the electropunk movement all its own, some feel it's the current hotbed for the genre. And if the third volume of Todd Millenacker's (Avenpitch) Twin Cities Electropunk is any indication, the electropunk scene in the Minneapolis area is more energized than ever.
Favorite tracks include "Nothing" from Avenpitch, "Lovelife" from darkwave industrialists Thosquanta's album of the same name and "All That's Left to Say" from rave-metalists MSRP, who offer an industrial electronica meets nu-metal track off their latest, One Hundred Fold Origami.
In addition to the bands of which we were already familiar, a few other assertive tracks worth mentioning include the seizure-induced "Falling on the Sword" from OBCT and The Eighth's electro-zombie tale, "Bruise," which will appear on their upcoming Titan album.
Twin Cities Electropunk Vol. III is available for FREE at all involved artists' shows or available online for free. There is simply no reason not to listen to this at least once, and many reasons to listen a few times.
From Uptown Magazine:
The Twin Cities have always been known for gritty, working-class punk-influenced rock 'n' roll , such as The Replacements and Hüsker Dü; flashy funk from Prince; and electronic producers such as Woody Mcbride, who helped shape the Midwest rave scene. The recent series of electropunk compilations coming from Minneapolis/St. Paul suggests that the area's rich musical history has worn off on the next generation of musicians. Built on the same DIY esthetic that has fuelled punk rock and electronic music for the last 30 years, these 14 cuts are packed with lean post-punk guitars, computer squeals and cheap pawn-shop synths. - Anthony Augustine
From Aiding & Abetting:
The Avenpitch folks tossed this one my way, and I have to say I'm impressed. There's a lot of cool post-industrial stuff bring forged up on the frozen tundra. If there's anything about the title that sounds interesting, this disc is more than worth a spin. - Jon Worley
From Modsuperstar.com:
Electropunk has been kicking around in one form or another for years, with no definite place being able to claim the birthplace of the genre. As it stands right now it seems the hotbed for this movement currently is the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Twin Cities Electropunk has been around for a few years, with the sole purpose of promoting this burgeoning scene. Since 2004 they have released 3 compilations of the best the Twin Cities has to offer. The tracks featured on this compilation are all over the place, mashing industrial beats, synthesizers, drum machines with old school punk sensibilities. The standouts on this compilation are Lovelife by Thosquanta, which has an almost Imogen Heap-ish quality to it, I'm OK by Uber Cool Kung Fu, which is probably the most genuinely catchy song on the compilation and I Ain't Too Keen On That by Evarial, which as an Oasis fan I enjoyed, if only for the fact that the song features a rather Liberal application of the riffs from She's Electric. – jamEs
From Grave Concerns:
More free stuff from Minnesota, this is the third volume in a series, collecting tons of tracks from underground, loosely-related Twin Cities bands. Like previous entries, the tracks are all energetic and fairly raw, but that (and the fact that they all employ electronics to some degree or another) are about all these bands have in common. Avenpitch start things off with chirpy keyboards and off-key punk rock shouting, and then Tim Rally Gold takes things in a totally different direction with the sentimental "Break-Up at the Waffle House," which comes off as an earthier, less precious version of The Postal Service. From there things go in all different directions. Evarial's "I Ain't Too Keen on That" is cheerful, female-fronted synthpop, Thosquanta's "Lovelife" is old school industrial with a hint of breakbeat, and Uber Cool Kung Fu's "I'm OK" is unabashed pop punk with keyboards and horn samples thrown into the mix. There's plenty of aggression, if you're in the mood for that, in the form of OBCT's rap and metal-inspired "Falling on the Sword" and Gabber Nullification Project's ruthless "Joe Lunchbucket," but there's plenty of offbeat fun, too. Mach FoX's "AXion/FriXion" is Devo-inspired New Wave, Hondo's "H.A.T.S." is deliberately grating punk fun, like The Dead Milkmen with a drum machine, and Unicorn Basement's "Necrophile" is, well, a lot happier than you'd probably think. If you live in the Twin Cities, you've probably heard of at least a few of these bands, so go ahead and grab yourself a free copy at one of their shows. Everybody else, head on over to the Twin Cities Electropunk website and download all the songs for free. There's no excuse not to check out free music, and there's enough variety on display here to satisfy every taste. - Matthew J.
From Inside Pulse/Beyond The Threshold:
Continuing the legacy of volumes one and two, the electropunk scene in the Twin Cities has once again banded together to release a free compilation promoting their unique sounds. With the second volume in particular showcasing a lot of talent and potential, expectations for the latest pressing were probably higher than they should have been.
This is, in no uncertain terms, a collection of unsigned bands. And, in no uncertain terms, will half of them ever find someone to sign them without some big changes in songwriting and composition. To call the collection uneven is more than appropriate, with a lot of filler by folks who are not ready to be out of the basement yet. Highlights include Mach FoX's lush "AXion/FriXion", MSRP's vicious "All That's Left to Say", and Avenpitch's super-catchy-chorused "Nothing". Plenty of other great bands are represented, but certainly didn't choose their best work for this record. And still others, like Hondo and Unicorn Basement, need to understand that no amount of funny lyrics will disguise a terribly grating vocal.
Walking into a disc of unsigned bands, it's no surprise that most of the tracks are demo-quality at best, production-wise. It's a bit of the DIY feel that makes electropunk what it is. Even still, one can hear that OBCT, Thosquanta, and The Eighth would stand out much more prominently as talent if more polish was thrown onto the mixing board. On the other hand, OneNeoEon and Evarial have a long way to go before mere production quality will make them something to watch.
As a freebie, it's certainly worth your time to check out what sort of oddities are swirling around musically in the home of Prince. Just make sure your expectations are properly set if you want to fairly appreciate this offering from the electropunk scene. – gloomchen
From Star Tribune:
Still a fledgling genre, the local electropunk clique -- think: rock bands with electric gadgets but not a lot of sissy house beats -- is at least a tight-knit and supportive scene. A dozen of its acts are performing on one night to promote "Twin Cities Electropunk, Vol. 3." The vibrant new 14-track compilation CD includes Avenpitch, Tim Rally Gold, Mach FoX, Uber Cool Kung Fu, Hondo and Eddie Entropy. (9 p.m. Sat., Club Underground. $5, includes free CD.) (C.R.)
From The Onion - A.V. Club (Twin Cities):
For three years, the best way to keep up with the burgeoning local techno scene has been the Twin Cities Electropunk series, shepherded by Todd Millenacker of the group Avenpitch. The new third installment of the disc showcases 14 local synth-pop and hard-edged electronica groups, who collectively come across as a hyperactive cross between Devo and Spinal Tap. Slashing goth-metal riffs are embraced as much as the burbling buzz and bleep of electronica; the bombast is sometimes ironic and sometimes not. It's what might have played during the Matrix movies if the Wachowski brothers didn't take themselves too seriously. As an example, Unicorn Basement's "Necrophile" has its tongue firmly lodged in zombified check, with groan-inducing lines like, "You look so good in the corner, I'm glad I'm the coroner." See, even Goths know how to crack a joke. All three of the Twin Cities Electropunk compilations are downloadable at tcelectropunk.com; they've also pressed 1,000 physical copies of the disc, to be handed out for free at this show. The electronica genre doesn't always place much emphasis on playing live, but the majority of the groups on Volume 3 will play Spring Street, including Thosquanta, MSRP, Avenpitch, OBCT, Mach FoX, Evarial, Unicorn Basement, Tim Rally Gold, Hondo and Eddie Entropy.
From PULSE of the Twin Cities:
The Twin Cities are home to a growing number of bands that identify themselves with what is known as the "electropunk movement." Bands with Casio keyboards, drum machines and fancy-pants laptop editing equipment have come together to create the third in a series of yearly compilations dedicated to their underground musical cause. "It's simply what happens when you take a generation of bored teens and twentysomethings--raised on hardcore punk, British techno, Nintendo and Doritos--and place cheap digital recording technology within their grasp," their website reads, and the music is similar to what you might imagine from experimental musicians. Not every track on TC Electropunk Volume 3 is golden, but there are plenty of bands worth checking out. Tim Rally Gold's "Break-up at the Waffle House" is poppy and well-produced, like a less depressing Postal Service, while bands like Mach FoX and Thosquanta use their electronics to create a darker, more industrial feel. Many of the bands on the compilation will come together for Saturday's CD release show at the all-too appropriately named Club Underground, known for its New York punk club ambiance and penchant for providing a stage to great non-conventional bands who fly under the radar of the rest of the local scene. With Thosquanta, MSRP, Avenpitch, OBCT, Evarial, Mach FoX, OneNeoEon, Unicorn Basement, Tim Rally Gold, Hondo, Eddie Entropy. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 355 Monroe St. NE, Mpls. 612-627-9123. ANDREA MYERS
From City Pages:
The third free compilation of local rock electro in as many years, Twin Cities Electropunk Showcase Vol. 3 introduces eight new names (MSRP, Hondo, Evarial, Eddie Entropy, Unicom Basement, OneNeoEon, The Eighth, GNP) to an otherwise familiar assortment (Avenpitch, Uber Cool Kung Fu, Mach FoX, OBCT, Thosquanta, Tim Rally Gold), with all of the above performing tonight on two stages in Club Underground. While Evarial and Eddie Entropy offer the pure synth-pop you'd expect, MSRP nudge things into double-kick-drum metal, while Hondo's punk throb is electronic in beat only, and OBCT are industrial rap-rock. You're bound to love or hate something here. CD is free at the door, and can be downloaded for free at www.tcelectropunk.com. 21+. $5. 9:00 p.m.
From Smother.net:
The third installment from the collective of electropunk kids from the Twin Cities is just as essential as the first two releases. Here we have crazed dance punk from the likes of Mach FoX, Hondo, Eddie Entropy, Avenpitch, and many others. Eddie Entropy is one of eight new groups that contribute their danceable and sexy disco-punk tunes. Pick it up for a perfect explanation of what this club-friendly music style and scene is all about.- J-Sin
REVIEWS OF TWIN CITIES ELECTROPUNK VOLUME 2
From Inside Pulse:
Some of the best things in life are free! Read the review, then download the disc!
The Inside Pulse:
Kids everywhere have computers; more and more of these kids are discovering that they can use them to make music and be rock stars. In the northern Midwest lies Minneapolis/St. Paul, a rather tech-savvy metropolis that seems to be full of these geeky rockstar wanna-bes. Enter the world of electropunk and a whole slew of unsigned/tiny-label acts who pieced together this slice of their unique sound as a great starter for those uninitiated. Sure, that's the background, but how good can a disc full of nobodies be? Honestly, you would probably be shocked to discover what you may be missing.
Positives:
"Agoraphobia" by Stellar Vector has the strongest songwriting of the entire sampler, from complexity of rhythm to brilliance of lyricism. Other standout and highly memorable tracks include those from Avenpitch, Future Wives, Telephone!, and Endless Blue.
Negatives:
There's some mediocrity every now and again, but that's to be expected. Nothing is awful or mandatory-to-skip, which for an indie sampler damn near makes this made of gold.
Cross-breed:
Your favorite '80s pop hits, updated for the new millennium, with the occasional dark European twist and harsh tone.
Reason to buy:
BUY? Just go download it for free! And for free, why NOT? Hell, you can grab Volume 1 while you're at it!
Pulse Rating: 7.5
From Space Junkies:
VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 2" - This compilation album opens up with an explosive track by Avenpitch called "Jack the Idiot Dance." It zaps you with a burst of energy that keeps your blood rushing and heart pumping for the duration of the track. It also sets the overall tone, mood and atmosphere for the rest of the compilation. You will find tracks on this compilation that will sting you with Nine Inch Nails-esque industrial, Marilyn Manson-esque electro-goth rock, 80's-like power pop, and of course it wouldn't be an electro-punk album without a barrage of electronics and a touch of DIY punk-ness. It's a highly addictive and lively album that showcases a magnitude of artists from the "Twin Cities" (Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota). You will be anything but disappointed when listening to this album, so pick up a copy and get addicted today. [Wednesday Elektra]
From Grave Concerns:
Generally, Minnesota isn't what first comes to mind when one thinks of vibrant music locales, but judging from this compilation, that might be about to change. Although the website introduction seems to imply that the "electropunk movement" is something along the lines of electroclash with less gimmickry and more songwriting, the music here can't be categorized quite so easily. Yes, most of the artists do use the analog keyboard sounds so popular in the '80s revival scene these days, but out of sixteen songs, only two - TELEPHONE!'s "Elevator Operator" and the Future Wives' "Dune Buggy Driver" - can really be considered retro novelty songs, and the Future Wives track is actually kind of clever in its minimalism, a bit like a less morbid "Warm Leatherette." The rest of the tracks go all over the place. Avenpitch's "Jack the Idiot Dance" and Uber Cool Kung Fu's poppy "Stand Together" hint at actual punk, and there's even a moment of unabashed gothic gloom on Mach FoX's Chameleons-inspired "Reward Le Fin." Thosquanta's wonderfully dark "Cowboy" mixes acoustic guitars over Manson-esque drawls and industrial textures, while the Eighth Day recall the aggressive, female-fronted rock of mid-era Pigface. For more straightforward dance fare, Heliosphere's "All Eyes Nation" and Apraxia's "Stranger" offer stomping old school EBM rhythms, while "Sea of Flames" by Envy Is Blind wouldn't sound out of place between Assemblage 23 and Apoptygma Berzerk in the club. There are a few flat moments, of course - the aforementioned TELEPHONE! contribution is like Missing Persons, but even less interesting, while OBCT fail to realize that mixing in everything but the kitchen sink still won't save you if you're playing boring fraternity house rap-metal - but the amount of hidden talent coming out of St. Paul and Minneapolis is nonetheless a pleasant surprise. Best of all, it's free! Get a free copy at any featured band's show if you happen to live in the Twin Cities area, or download the entire thing at ww.tcelectropunk.com!
From Godsend Online:
Various - "Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 2" CD - Compiled by AVENPITCH's Todd Millenacker, this 16-band sampler encompasses a wide array of sounds, and proves that Minneapolis has a vibrant new music scene going. From TELEPHONE!'s nu-wave electroclash 'Elevator Operator', (which is simultaneously charming and annoying) to UBER COOL KUNG FU's excellent, anthemic, and catchy electropop/punk-flavored 'Stand Together', this comp has it's share of strong points and low moments. STELLAR VECTOR's track--with an aggressive and heavy guitar rock stance--easily leaves most of modern FM radio's acts far behind. THE EIGHTH DAY's female-fronted 'Doubt' is another worthwhile standout, as is the ambient/drum & bass-inspired ENDLESS BLUE (again with lovely female vox). This collection, which can be found as a free download at the below website, has much to offer and if at least one of these acts doesn't break, I'll be surprised.
From Electrocore.com:
I listened several times to the release of TC Electropunk Volume 1. When I heard the news and received Volume 2 I was extremely excited. Not only is the talent on this disc amazing, but the tracks put together on the disc to flow smoothly from artist to artist. A few of the tracks on this disc have quickly grown to be some of my new favorites.
Avenpitch opens with their hardcore dance rock electro-punk original sound, followed by the poppy pop of Lolly Pop, with a super cute voice and bubbly rhythms, this track is surely one of my favorites! Uber Cool Kung Fu take a more pop rock approach to their Stand Together. It's definitely a fun & catchy track. Trashed Actor follows bringing you dirty hard electro rhythms and melodies, like T.Raumschmiere slowed to a steady pace, with rock vocals, this track though is not industrial, reminds me of industrial clubs in the mid 90s...I dunno? Thosquanta...Not only a unique name for a project but unique a sound. Opening this track 'Cowboy' with ambient pads, progressing into dark creepy vocals and plucky synth & guitar sounds. A calming and strange song. Fadladder... While listening to 'The Mole' for the first time, I sat trying to figure out what this reminded me of.... I came up with no answer, it's just one of those tracks that you hear and immediately it grows on you. The Future Wives 'Dune Buggy Driver'.... This track is another one of my absolute favorites. If these guys sang about anything cooler I'd faint. A fun, yet very serious track that will leave you with a smile. Mach Fox. I started listening to Mach Fox a few months back and was glad to see this project on the comp. The track "Reward Le Fin" opens with flowing emotion invoking synth lines and vocals that say get ready for an older Depeche Mode sound...One of those songs you put on a mix tape for your ex, you know what I mean. If you are into more serious take on electropop you'll love Mach Fox. Without hesitation the song ends and welcomes the next track 'Agoraphobia' by Stellar Vector. This one brings me the angst guitar driven sounds of the late 90s with an electronic twist that makes the track complete, I look forward to further releases from Stellar Vector. Keeping on the same track The Eighth Day with their track 'Doubt' slowly works their way up to a rockin' track with nice female vocals, set deep into the music. I'll be looking to see this project live next time in MN. Broken Waters by 'Endless Blue'... It reminded me of my trip to Duluth back in 2003, somehow brought back memories of time well spent. This track is hot; it's got a sound that you would hear on a release from Underground Inc. After a soothing pretty track Heliosphere comes in hard with an industrial fist. This track is a dance floor filler in any dark venues... and just as if you were at said venue Apraxia follows with the same attitude with the track 'Stranger'. I have heard many newer artists that have tried to create this sound, but Heliosphere and Apraxia own it. Sea of Flames is a song by Envy is Blind, they let up a little on the industrial side yet still keep it dark and dance floor oriented. If you like the earlier releases of Apoptygma Berzerk and the like, you'll surely enjoy Envy Is Blind. Whoa! OBCT 'Consume Until Rupture', what a crazy track... Incorporating Portishead opening beats, hip-hop vox lines, screaming chorus, hard guitar lines and an alt rock attitude I'm still gathering my thoughts! The last track on the CD closes the comp well. Combining punk rock, emo, and guitar rock, and a drum machine, Tim Rally Gold's track Planting Flowers says... It's been good, and now it's time to go...
I thoroughly enjoyed this compilation and look forward to Volume 3!!!
From Smother.net:
Avenpitch, a band who appeared on "Smothered Vol. 2", sent me this juicy electro-punk compilation that features them as well as a whole slew of other worthwhile bands. The cyborgs are here and they're ready to thrash. Avenpitch begins things with their "Jack the Idiot Dance" that sounds straight ripped from some schizophrenic's version of classic Nintendo games with its totally poppy chorus and stuttering beats. TELEPHONE!'s "Elevator Operator" recalls Blondie with a firm grasp of the calculated New Wave movement that we've all missed so much while scanning the hundreds of channels for reruns of "Max Headroom". Other notables include "All Eyes Nation" by Heliosphere, Thosquanta's "Cowboy", and Stellar Vector's "Agoraphobia". If this is the scene that's exploding in Minneapolis-Saint Paul then find me the next flight. - J-Sin
From Synthpop.net:
This is the second volume in the series of independently released compilations highlighting the Electropunk sound that seems to be emanating most strongly from the Twin Cities area. This volume adds 6 tracks to the length of the overall compilation, and while there are a few repeat guests on the compilation, mostly it's lineup is composed of all-new artists. In fact, from the first volume, only Circa A.M., Astral Grey and Neo Void don't return.
Telephone head off on a really Electroclash-y direction with their track, with Lolly Pop on vocals. The track has a double-entendre at it's core that has just enough uncertainty in it that you can't quite decide just how dirty they're trying to be. It sure sounds like they've got their minds in the gutter with this song, but that may just be my interpretation of it.
Uber Cool Kung Fu give us a track that wasn't on "3", "Stand Together". This song isn't quite as polished as the others, and I can see why it didn't make the album, but it's still pretty entertaining.
Trashed Actor present a very unusual track here, "WMD Disco". The vocals in the beginning sound like (ok, this will sound weird) like the voice of the villain "Him" from the Powerpuff Girls. Musically, the track is great, but those vocals are just freaky.
Thosquanta, with "Cowboy", almost help wipe the memory of that horrid Kid Rock song from my mind forever. It's a bit of a Industrial/Electro type track, with very rough vocals over some (very cool!) metallic-sound percussion, and a acoustic guitar backing it all up. It makes for a very unusual combination, but it works!
Fadladder drop the f-bomb early in "The Mole", but it's only once and then the song moves on. It's actually a pretty cool Cold-Wave type tune, but that bad beginning sours it a little for me.
Future Wives again take us into Electroclash territory. The very stilted vocals here wear on me quickly, and even at 2:10 the track seems to drag on too long. Skip-button fodder, this one.
Mach FoX feature a song from the album Futurepast, "Reward le fin". This is primarily a guitar-based song, very moody and dark. Lots of Darkwave influence in this track, but it's a very cool track as well.
Stellar Vector share a song title with Sweep (of the A Different Drum Label), but the title is the only similarity between the two songs. This gets right back into the harder core Electropunk arena, with some nearly yelled vocals in the chorus. A fairly liberal sprinkling of noisy lead guitar to go along with the synth work here makes for a very interesting hybrid sound from this band, and it should be interesting to hear more from them.
The Eighth Day, with "Doubt", follow up Stellar Vector with another song that is more rock/punk oriented, but with enough electronic elements to keep it from sounding like more mainstream pop acts. The song itself is very good, with impressive, bold female lead vocals, and very crisp music to go along with it.
Endless Blue's "Broken Waters" appears here in a "more punk'd up" remix, with a definite element of menace and darkness added to the music. To hear this song transformed from a moody Trip-hop track into a edgy, menacing, and adrenalized song is a very, very cool experience.
Heliosphere impress right from the start, sounding a bit like one of Alfa Matrix's EBM/Industrial/Pop bands in the intro and living up to that promise in the rest of the song. "All Eyes Nation" is a very excellent song, with some really cool sounds and vocals. This is definitely a band I want to hear more from!
Apraxia, with "Stranger", are in the same vein musically as Heliosphere, but I really didn't care for the effects used on the vocals here. The vocals are made to sound very distant and indistinct, and therefore a little hard to understand.
Envy Is Blind follow with "Sea Of Flames (Radio Edit)", a very enjoyable track, that incorporates Fr/action type vocals over driving EBM/Futurepop music... very cool! This is another band I'd love to hear more from.
OBCT offer up a strange electropunk/Rap/Rock hybrid track that is simply bizarre. Certainly it's a distinctive song... the question is, is it good? I'm still not sure yet...
Tim Rally Gold closes the compilation with "Planting Flowers", a heavily New Wave influenced song that is a enjoyably light and poppy tune. Despite the odd song name, this one turns out to be quite memorable.
Volume 2 of this series continues to introduce several excellent underground bands. Not all of the bands are what I would call thrilling, but there's plenty here that very much worth hearing. Kudos to all involved!
4 out of 5
From Zero Transmission:
A worthy successor to Volume 1, TCEV2 features many of the same artists that made the first release such an incredible find plus some new artists that push the number of tracks to 16 as opposed to 10 on the first collection.
The driving force behind these two collections is Todd Millenacker aka Avenpitch, who leads off the compilation with the hyper-tempoed track "Jack The Idiot Dance." The stand out track for me, among the many other great ones, is "Broken Waters" by Endless Blue, a downtempo/triphop tune that really resonates. Reminiscent of early James, "Planting Flowers" by Tim Rally Gold is a guitar driven track that concentrates more on the punk of electropunk.
From City Pages:
Unlike New York electroclash or dance-rock--and unlike locals Melodious Owl, who take off from James Chance and wind up in their own skronk-disco universe--the bands on this bill share an apparent desire to be pop in the broadest sense, never mind their brand name. From the harmony-heavy metal of the Eighth Day to the whispery four-to-the-floor bump of Heliosphere, the vibe throughout Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 2 feels closer to MTV circa 1982 than to Brooklyn loft parties circa 2002--accessible, eccentric, eager for fun. The live version offers free copies of the CD, with a portion of the door benefiting the Red Cross. With TELEPHONE!, Trashed Actor, AVENPITCH, FoodTeam, Uber Cool Kung Fu, Heliosphere, Stellar Vector, Mach FoX, The Eighth Day, and OBCT. - Peter Scholtes
From PULSE of the Twin Cities:
Just what exactly defines Electropunk as a musical style? Is it the awesome outfits? The retrofitting of '80s dance pop by the home recording laptop generation? A certain ass-shaking beats per minute quotient? I'll have to pass on supplying a concrete answer, but those who want to figure it out for themselves need only head over to the Varsity and witness a whole slew of Duran Duran loving TC kids with an eye for the glamorous and a way with robotics to get closer to the answer. This show, which features performances on multiple stages so as to ensure nonstop electropunking between sets, also doubles as the release party for the Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 2 CD. The new compilation disc features - you guessed it - most of the electro-leaning bands playing this here shindig. All concertgoers will come home with a copy of the disc so be sure to feather your bangs, put on the glitter and head to Dinkytown. Featuring: Telephone!, Avenpitch, Trashed Actor, Mach Fox, Food Team, UCKF, Heliosphere, Stellar Vector, The Eighth Day, OBCT and Thosquanta. - Nathan Dean
REVIEWS OF TWIN CITIES ELECTROPUNK VOLUME 1
From City Pages:
BEST LOCAL MUSIC COMPILATION: Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 1
Lately, great various-artist packages devoted to specific music scenes in the Twin Cities tend to be tied to ephemeral events: Unless you were at the festivals that inspired last year's 3rd Annual Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop and Minnesota Sur Seine CDs (both manufactured by Copycats Media), you probably didn't have a chance to pick them up. Last year's Twin Cities Elecropunk Volume 1 CD is similarly available in physical form only at shows, and while supplies last. (Twin Cities Electropunk Volume 2 is already being hawked as a follow-up.) But the album has the plus of being downloadable ( www.tcelectropunk.com ) and is worth the trouble. Employing the genre name "electropunk" instead of the New York-associated "electro-clash," Volume 1 is more than a local claim on an international trend: The umbrella concept really serves as an excuse to toss together catchy music of all kinds, flavored with electro beats, samples, or synthesizers. "Streamline Your Bender" by Trashed Actor is minimalist Duran Duran, while "Life on Hold" by Telephone! is valley-girl hip hop with a solid bottom end--hip-house enough to inspire nostalgia for the Wee Papa Girl Rappers. Compiled by Todd Millenacker of the band Avenpitch (which might explain his choice of lead-off track), the selection is varied and adventurous, ranging from the distorted-voice goth industrial of Neo Void to the retro-Euro-wave slickness of Uber Cool Kung Fu. Even if this hodgepodge never develops into a full-blown subculture, and the CD never becomes a collector's item, the cross section it contains will remain an entertaining curiosity.
From Zero Transmission:
Where the f**k did this come from!? This FREE collection of 'electropunk' tracks just blows me away. Although each succeeds to varying degrees there isn't a clunker among them...not one, although I'm more inclined to label this 'electropop'. Whatever you want to call it just make sure you download the zip file containing this collection from what is obviously Minneapolis' finest.
From Synthpop.net:
This compilation was collected to demonstrate the growing Electro scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and how that region is growing to be the home of a very unique blend of punk rock, industrial and synthpop music that is very distinctive. This hard edged music has a chance of a very broad appeal, and I think once you hear this compilation, you'll agree this is a sound you'll be hearing more and more of in the future.
Avenpitch, the band that introduced me to this new style, open the compilation with an exclusive track, "Butterfly Radio". This is actually not the most aggressive track from Avenpitch; in fact, it's one of their slower and least intense songs. Still, it's a very cool song, utilizing Avenpitch's blend of heavy metal, new wave and synthpop to create a very catchy song.
Uber Cool Kung Fu lead into uncharted waters with "Fall First", an electropop tune that doesn't quite have the edge to it that Avenpitch's track did, but still is a pretty cool pop song. Still, the combination of guitar, sharp (somewhat piercing) synth leads and bass guitar makes for an interesting musical tapestry.
Endless Blue's sound would probably be categorized as trip-hop, with the slow and moody atmosphere the music gives the track, and the duel female vocalists only accentuate the mood of the song. I would say that they remind me of Waltz For Debbie or Dia in their less explicit moments.
Trashed Actor's "Streamline You Bender" lyrics sound very stream-of-consciousness, with very little to hold the song together other than the title phrase, which is repeated plenty often enough to lodge itself in your brain. However, the rest of the song is fairly forgettable...
Astral Grey, with "The Figurehead", give us a very dark, gloomy song. The filtered vocals add nicely to that effect and I really liked the layering effect of the guitar parts in the song. While the song doesn't seem to have that much of an electronic element to it I could hear, it's still a very cool song.
Telephone!, with "Life On Hold", reminds me a lot of Levi, an artist I played a couple of times for the show I used to produce for NMRN a few months back. A female rapper, with a healthy dose of attitude, but without much in the way of anything to draw me into the track. Pass...
Mach Fox seems to suffer some kind of production issues or something, because "House Divided" doesn't seem nearly up to the sound quality of the other songs on this compilations. That being the case, it's a little harder to form a just opinion on this song, but it sounds somewhat promising.
Thosquanta, with "Bromide", give us a very impressive song, at times low key and moody, then suddenly shifting gears to harsh and noisy, only to go back to the more low key feeling. It's an interesting approach, and while I wouldn't want a album full of songs such as this, it certainly makes their song stand out...
Circa A.M. follow with a very harsh, dark and distorted song that seems to be a classic-styled industrial song, save for the acoustic drums. "Pigeon" is a very intense song, and the vocals that are heavily distorted make it to where I think there might be some coarse language in the song, but I just can't be sure.
Closing out the compilation is Neo Void, with "Two Faces", a NIN-esque track with intensely punchy drums and raspy vocals. Again, I can hardly understand what the vocalist is singing, but the sound of the song is pretty cool.
Overall this compilation had a lot of very cool new artists to introduce to the world. There were a few that didn't impress me as much, but several here I'll certainly want to keep an eye on in the future. Several here that the electronic music world in general should keep an eye on, too...
From City Pages:
Just when the local scene needed a swift kick, not to mention kicks, along comes this surprisingly sexy compilation of 10 new bands gathered under the dubious heading "electronic"--a word normally associated with DJs and noise. Apparently, "electropunk" means never having to say you're sorry for writing pop songs, and that's pretty much the only idea uniting the depresso-disco of Trashed Actor, the Valley girl hip hop of Telephone!, and the whispery roar of Thosquanta. Tonight's party features Avenpitch, Astral Grey, Uber Cool Kung Fu, Telephone!, and Thosquanta.
From PULSE of the Twin Cities:
Everybody get ready to be taken down to funky town as some of the Twin Cities sassiest acts are getting ready to shake their money makers in the confines of Big V's in honor of the release of the Twin Cities first ever electropunk compilation CD. Ten tracks from a wide range of ambitious Twin Cities up and comers with a fascination for all things synthetic. The comp is free and available at shows like this one - which features five bands for the very modest price of five ducats! Featuring Astral Grey, Thosquanta, Telephone, UCKF & Avenpitch.
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