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Editorial Reviews
The Presets are a Sydney-based electronic duo, consisting of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. In September 2005 they released their debut album, Beams, to positive critical response. That same year Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes also toured with The Dissociatives, which is co-fronted by Daniel Johns of Silverchair and Australian dance producer Paul Mac. Johns also played guitar on Presets single "Cookie". Hamilton and Moyes are also members of Sydney instrumental group Prop. 11 tracks.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Dirty Jerry
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Presets- clever, fresh, fun, danceable, smart music with some good edges you can wrap your ears around. If you liked their first album, you'll probably like this one too- I actually find this one has more listenable tracks. But it's darker, you might call it gothic synth-pop. Which is cool, it's in a genre all it's own. All my friends dig it and say "where do you find all these cool tunes?" But my friends are kind of douchebags so forget about them. Anyway, this is a rockin album. Check it out.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Australian duo The Presets return to the scene with their 2008 sophomore record, Apocalypso. The album features a very strong dance vibe with industrial and pop undertones.
If you don't know The Presets, here is your introduction. Julian Hamilton is one half, and the side we would know as the voice. His singing is monotonous and can almost at times be described as yelling in key. Along with Kim Moyes, who is in charge with percussion, they both provide the keyboards and synths. It's a complete dual effort, as the songs would lack something if either the beats or words were gone from their compositions. Hamilton and Moyes are prevalent in the Australian electronic scene, and partially in the rock scene as well. They are good friends with Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, as well as his Dissociatives counterpart and producer Paul Mac. They have remixed fellow Australians Cagedbaby and Architecture in Helsinki, been remixed by Cut Copy, and share a label with Wolfmother and The Avalanches. Their first album, Beams, met with mixed reviews, but when it shined, it shined brightly. "Are You The One?", the second single off the album, was featured in one of the final episodes in season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance.
Which brings us to Apocalypso. The album finds The Presets picking up on the vibe that worked, something that was mostly developed while touring based on live performances. The lead single, "My People," is an extremely heavy, fast-paced, and dark electronic pop song, and also a cry for social reformation in Australia. "Let me hear you scream if you're with me!" Hamilton yells, like the man with the megaphone. "Talk Like That" seems custom-tailored for the dance floor, complete with sexual connotations and classical breakdowns. Hamilton and Moyes make sure to let us know when to expect a big drop into some heavy beats as the instruments climb the scales, and the tension rises. Just when you think it can't go on any longer, right on the beat we hear, in almost a coy fashion, "Uh oh!" to let us know it's time to dance. "This Boy's In Love" is the album's second single and is one of the softer notes available on Apocalypso, but don't be fooled by that description. It's still a very danceable number. Every time I begin to listen to "Kicking and Screaming," the opening song, I think, "Wow, I really don't like this song." Then the chorus begins, and I'm reminded of just why I love The Presets. "Aeons" is, in my opinion, the only downer on the album. Earlier I had mentioned that without both members contributing their individual strengths, Hamilton with his voice and Moyes with his beats, The Presets lost their edge. "Aeons" is an instrumental track, and thus feels like it is missing something.
You'll typically find The Presets in the rock section at your local CD retailer. This is incorrect, as The Presets are very far from rock. Hamilton's voice and the dark tone of the music threatens to drag their music into industrial territory, but the production from Moyes and the general song structure supply club and pop elements, giving us a very twisted form of electro pop. This album borders on being a non-stop party album, and the most disrespect it can be shown is to be lumped into "Pop/Rock." It belongs in Electronica, and maybe people will wise up to how much talent and potential these two men have.
Summary: Buy it. Some find Hamilton's voice a little grating, but I find it a refreshing change from the screaming diva and breathy vixen that dominate the dance floor. "Talk Like That," even with an extended mix, could rock the floor.
If you don't know The Presets, here is your introduction. Julian Hamilton is one half, and the side we would know as the voice. His singing is monotonous and can almost at times be described as yelling in key. Along with Kim Moyes, who is in charge with percussion, they both provide the keyboards and synths. It's a complete dual effort, as the songs would lack something if either the beats or words were gone from their compositions. Hamilton and Moyes are prevalent in the Australian electronic scene, and partially in the rock scene as well. They are good friends with Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, as well as his Dissociatives counterpart and producer Paul Mac. They have remixed fellow Australians Cagedbaby and Architecture in Helsinki, been remixed by Cut Copy, and share a label with Wolfmother and The Avalanches. Their first album, Beams, met with mixed reviews, but when it shined, it shined brightly. "Are You The One?", the second single off the album, was featured in one of the final episodes in season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance.
Which brings us to Apocalypso. The album finds The Presets picking up on the vibe that worked, something that was mostly developed while touring based on live performances. The lead single, "My People," is an extremely heavy, fast-paced, and dark electronic pop song, and also a cry for social reformation in Australia. "Let me hear you scream if you're with me!" Hamilton yells, like the man with the megaphone. "Talk Like That" seems custom-tailored for the dance floor, complete with sexual connotations and classical breakdowns. Hamilton and Moyes make sure to let us know when to expect a big drop into some heavy beats as the instruments climb the scales, and the tension rises. Just when you think it can't go on any longer, right on the beat we hear, in almost a coy fashion, "Uh oh!" to let us know it's time to dance. "This Boy's In Love" is the album's second single and is one of the softer notes available on Apocalypso, but don't be fooled by that description. It's still a very danceable number. Every time I begin to listen to "Kicking and Screaming," the opening song, I think, "Wow, I really don't like this song." Then the chorus begins, and I'm reminded of just why I love The Presets. "Aeons" is, in my opinion, the only downer on the album. Earlier I had mentioned that without both members contributing their individual strengths, Hamilton with his voice and Moyes with his beats, The Presets lost their edge. "Aeons" is an instrumental track, and thus feels like it is missing something.
You'll typically find The Presets in the rock section at your local CD retailer. This is incorrect, as The Presets are very far from rock. Hamilton's voice and the dark tone of the music threatens to drag their music into industrial territory, but the production from Moyes and the general song structure supply club and pop elements, giving us a very twisted form of electro pop. This album borders on being a non-stop party album, and the most disrespect it can be shown is to be lumped into "Pop/Rock." It belongs in Electronica, and maybe people will wise up to how much talent and potential these two men have.
Summary: Buy it. Some find Hamilton's voice a little grating, but I find it a refreshing change from the screaming diva and breathy vixen that dominate the dance floor. "Talk Like That," even with an extended mix, could rock the floor.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
2 tracks stand out like beacons on this great release: "This Boy's In Love" and the 1st single "If I Know You" - both feature minor synth lines and haunting melodies that you will be left humming for a good long time. If NEW ORDER actually had IAN CURTIS as their lead singer in their synth-pop phase it may have sounded like "Apocalypso!" Imagine perfect arrangements of sad-sounding dance-pop but with a more over-blown and chilling lead vocalist. This modern production is a must own for fans of PET SHOP BOYS, THE FAINT, DE/VISION, CROC SHOP and LADYTRON alike. The 2 videos for the tracks mentioned earlier are real winners too; dark, gritty and hip. Just like this Austrialian Duo!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Incorrect Listing Information
Warning: This item does not come with a bonus Presets remix disc. Ignore the incorrect information in the listing. It is only one disc and it comes in a jewel case, not a digipak.
Published 13 months ago by Tark Mwain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not only do I like it--
I was shown a Presets YouTube video (Down Down Down) and instantly loved them. The first album was good, but Apocalypso is off the charts. Read more
Published on January 25, 2010 by Gregory A. Mckinney
5.0 out of 5 stars
I've been Preset!
I heard this band for the first time last Nov. when I took a trip to Sydney. The sound is kind of brash and very eclectic. I enjoy the punk/80s synth band aesthetic of this duo. Read more
Published on May 24, 2009 by James J. Potts IV
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Music To Keep You Movin' and Groovin'
This isn't a style of music I normally listen to. However, I do love to hear clever use of synthesizers and groovy tunes, and in that respect Apocalypso certainly delivers. Read more
Published on May 2, 2009 by Dusty
3.0 out of 5 stars
I like it but I don't love it.
First of all, I have read some reviews that this album has some sort of a Goth vibe and I strongly disagree. This is definitly new wave-electroclash music...rather, electro-kitsch. Read more
Published on March 13, 2009 by CRAZOTOLOGY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
Wow, this album kicks. Crazed, electronica in parts, dark like Covenant/Rotersand in other parts, and generally just feel good hard grinding punk-influenced dance music with... Read more
Published on December 10, 2008 by Tankery
5.0 out of 5 stars
ARIA winners!
The Presets won 3 Aria's last night in the following categories:
1. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
2. BEST GROUP
3. Read more
1. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
2. BEST GROUP
3. Read more
Published on October 20, 2008 by Anna Banana
2.0 out of 5 stars
weak effort
loved Beams, was very excited to get this. 'If I Know You' is a very lovely song, but the rest of it is pretty forgettable, and tracks 3, 4, and 5 work the same exact riff...huh? Read more
Published on October 5, 2008 by schnoidl
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great album, but Beams is better
The first time i heard The Presets was on a music channel shortly before Beams was released, it was the then current single - Are You The One? Read more
Published on July 10, 2008 by ziral
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great 2nd Album!
The Presets sophomore effort, Apocalypso, does not disappoint in the slightest!
The formula is the same, the content is as high fueled as "Beams" if not more! Read more
The formula is the same, the content is as high fueled as "Beams" if not more! Read more
Published on May 25, 2008 by Brian Lange.
Listmania!
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