Customer Reviews

Alternative

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't believe how limited this album's distribution is. It's amazing! Chris Corner has done something very special here. Every song is a gem, perfect production and powerful, emotionally packed vocal delivery. The lyrics are thoughtful and dark, the melodies are beautiful and memorable, the beats are propulsive. This is better than anything I've heard from the Sneaker Pimps. I am very impressed.

For me, 5 tracks were instant gems, after only the first listen:

- President

- Spit it Out

- This Will Make You Love Again

- SHE

- The Negative Sex

I'm sure the other tracks will grow on me, but these are

fantastic songs.

Most CDs have 1 or 2 good songs, but this is some fantastic

talent showcased here.

It's a shame this CD is so hard to find.

I first heard IAMX from the "Elektrisch Vol. 3" compilation CD I purchased about a year ago. The song: "Nightlife (People Theatre's Trip To Berlin Mix)", which slowly grew on me, but I never got to the point where I wanted to buy an entire album until I was watching an Imogen Heap vBlog and how she raves about "Spit It Out!", in fact, she remixed the song for Chris Corner - founder IAMX member. So I thought, mmk-yeah... I'd check out the video on YouTube. Wow! Great song, great video! I then made the move to buy the album ("The Alternative").

Unfortunately, the CD goes for about $40.00 for the hard copy, so as my only "alternative" :P I comprimised and downloaded the album via Amazon MP3's - not bad!, the files were ripped at 256kbps for me, plus I was rewarded with instant gratification.

I would catagorize "The Alternative" as electronic with an avant-garde flavor, however, a few songs tend to have more of an ebm or futurepop influence. It is a very diverse album which ranges from the balad-esque to the dancey. Chris' vocals have definitely improved since the previous IAMX album, which I also downloaded (it's ok...but this one is far better). Vocals are an A+, not only lyrical content, but also in delivery. The Alternative is indeed one of my top favorite buys of 2008, albeit released in 2006.

I'll provide a brief description for each track:

1. "President", a waltzy marching band-like tune with tubas, french horns and piano (I assume they are sampled). Dark electronica with just a hintering of goth. I didn't like it at first, now I love it!

2. "The Alternative" is more ebm-influenced, great song!

3. "Nightlife" - another ebm-influenced track, another great song!

4. "Lulled By Numbers" - Slow burner, dark electronica, melodic, excellent!

5. "Song Of Imaginary Beings" - I love this song! French/Italian inspired electronica tune where accordians dominate. Timeless!

6."The Negative Sex" - gritty, grungy electronica. Catchy, dancy.

7. "Bring Me Back A Dog" - another ebm-ish tune. Love the lyrics. Very catchy.

8. "S.H.E" - somber, slow, vintage, timeless! Vocals reminds me of Stephen Duffy a bit.

9. "Spit It Out" - electro clash beacon! very melodic, catchy.

10. "After Every Party I Die" - blend of guitars and electronic. nice hooks.

11. "This Will Make You Love Again" - piano balad finale track, builds to strings, timpani's, horns.

My only gripes about the album, is 1). the bass response is a little thin, and 2). there's really not much headroom in the overall recording as it sounds just a tad bit over-compressed. However, even with these minor gripes, I still rate "The Alternative" a solid 5. Every song is great!

Check it out and shake your hearing senses!

Do yourself a favor and don't even think Sneaker Pimps when listening to IAMX. THis is definitely Chris Corner's most enjoyable project ever. Kiss and Swallow was a great record, but The Alternative takes the cake as being his most melodic and enjoyable. Night Life, Spit It Out, Bring Me Back A Dog, President, all great tracks. I grew up listening to old Depeche Mode and early Duran Duran, as well as Devo and other synth heavy bands so I really enjoy the heavy New Wave analog synth element to IAMX's sound. I'm really into bands like Covenant and VNV Nation as well so the dancey side of IAMX is great as well. I suggest you buy this album if you like any of those other bands mentioned. This is the best thing Chris has done since he made Splinter back in 1999.

I absolutely LOVE this entire album! It's this mesh of melodic synth-pop and electro-rock-industrial hype. Think an edgier Muse with a steamier New Wave feel. Chris Corner has this strong vocal style and beat driven edge that moves right through you, and keeps you coming back for more.

This album is a most poetic dark depiction of sensual love, heartbreak, politics, nightlife, imaginary beings, religion, rough sex, substance abuse, and reincarnation. With his beautiful voice and hypnotic music, Chris Corner - former Sneaker Pimps singer, turned me into an addict to his second solo album in its entirety. Highly recommended to all music fans with an open mind, especially if you like Muse and/or Depeche Mode.

I only have been listening to IAMX since October 16, 2007. I saw them on November 7, 2007. I know these dates well because my life has drastically changed. The lyrics are so surreal, poetic, and therapeutic. Songs like "Spit It Out" and "This Will Make You Love Again" will make you question why you ever were listening to mainstream music! They are absolutely amazing live when I saw them on a spur-of-the-moment trip up to Houston. I almost envy that the UK and Europe has such a strong-hold on this band! Chris Corner alone is so much more than I can put into words. Much like Elton John to my mother's youth .. Chris Corner is the artist that has shaped my imagination and artistic mindset. Each song is so exquisite and inspiring. I can not compare them to anything other then his first band, Sneaker Pimps. I was a fan of Sneaker Pimps early on before he became more of a leading singer in their last two albums. I only wish there was more bands that could carry such a sound and presence like IAMX does. Both albums (The Alterative and Kiss + Swallow) are excellent! I can not wait to see what they will put out next. If you are a fan of Chris Corner I would also suggest checking out the soundtrack from the movie 'Les Chevaliers Du Ciel' that he put together!

I was lucky enough to find this album outside of Amazon earlier this year and still listen to a couple of songs every day. Literally - every day. Anyone I have shared it with has purchased their own copy by any means necessary. What turned into a solo road trip to see Chris earlier this fall ended up being a group trip from all of the fans that have been infected by his sound.

If you haven't heard this, or his previous, work - listen to the previews and wish list this bad boy. Every review in this space (all 5 stars) is true and after a couple of listens this CD will become your favorite. For former Sneaker Pimps fans that may have written the solo project off; it's nothing like the old SP tracks at all (which were good but not as infectious as IAMX).

I can only say that the next album I'm truly looking forward to hearing is Chris' next project.

ps// Amazing in concert - vocals are dead-on and performance is worth seeing. Do a youtube search for a sample!

his voice lingers in your ears and his beat grabs onto your heart.. chris corner is an amazing indivisual. i can't wait to see him pour his redwine all over himself on the stage.. my heart is pounding just thinking about it.

I love this album. I am not going to describe it, since there are so many other reviews that describe it better than I ever could. I just wanted to add my 5 stars.

Also, I'd like to mention.. The different releases of this album have some slight variations in the songs. I think there were only 2 releases, one in 2006 and one in 2008 (metropolis). It's most noticeable in the song "Spit it Out". That one is different enough that I think they should have called it a different version. It's even in a different key. I prefer the version on the older release. Too bad the older release is a lot more expensive and a lot harder to find. Sigh.