Customer Reviews

The Blitz

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

 

 

I wasn't taken by any of Neuropa's previous albums; I mostly just liked individual songs - "Rules To Break", "Regrets" and "Still In Time" are among my favorites. I'm not sure what it is, but the rest of their material just failed to connect with me. And it always puzzled me because the songs of theirs I liked were so strong.

This album (which my best friend lent me), I instantly liked all of the songs from the first listen, which is rare. Talk about refreshing - THIS is the album that I knew they were capable of making! "Hardline" starts things off nicely enough, and I was hoping that it wouldn't drop off from there. It didn't. On the contrary, "Invincible" stormed right in and it never slowed down from there.

On "The Silicon Teens", I was almost expecting somewhat of a tribute to the early 80s Daniel Miller project, but it stays consistent with the sound of the rest of the album and is one of my favorite songs.

If I had to say anything critical about the album, it would be from a production standpoint - the silence between the songs is way too long. I don't mind a few seconds of silence, but I want the next song to start right up so I can maintain that level of euphoria. And when the length of silence between each song clocks in at around 10 seconds, it may not sound like a lot, but for me, it interrupts the flow.

Other than that very minor detail, this is an amazing album from a great band, and if they weren't before, this should put them among the artists mentioned in the same breath as Anything Box, Elegant Machinery, Camouflage, Echo Image, Seven Red Seven and other pillars in the Synth-Pop community.

I thought about burning a copy of this CD for myself, but this album is so good, I'm buying my own. And so should you!

Neuropa sinks in this album. Gone are the complicated patches and swirling programs. What left is barely crafted darkwave thoughts, and it doesn't sound good. If darkwave is your stick, stick to Seabound or other bands that are more developed in the sound. Disappointing!

I think that this truly is a defining album for the lads from Australia. While I sort-of like their previous efforts, I, like a previous reviewer stated, really only enjoyed certain songs, such as "Bound".

But on 'The Blitz', Neuropa's recent affiliation with Apoptygma Berzerk seems to have influenced them in a very positive way. Their sound now is edgier, dirtier if you will. Seemingly gone is the "bubble-gum", slightly immature sound of their past.

However, one doesn't get the sense that Neuropa has completely abondoned their earlier style. The tenor vocals are still crisp, clear and beautiful as ever. The biggest change has to do with the instrumentation. It is still very danceable, but a lot less contrived than before.

I hesitate to say they use a gritty-sounding guitar on this work, for fear that purists reading this review will simply write them off as sell-outs. Don't worry. They are still a synthpop act, but a little darker. I like this, but I imagine that some won't.

My favorite songs are the hardest on the album, such as "Lost In Lust", "Invincible", and "New Tomorrow." "Hardline" is solid as well.

This is an excellent album, which I believe will propel the band to greater popularity. Cheers!

My favorite Neuropa album. The sound is sleek, streamlined synthrock with crunchy metal-pop guitar and big beats. Nothing groundbreaking, but the emphasis isn't on innovation, the emphasis is on hooks. While in the past, Neuropa tended to borrow maybe a bit too much from Erasure, on The Blitz, the Australian band forge their own identity by borrowing from many, and cranking up the ROCK. You'll catch yourself singing along after 2-3 listens. I keep catching myself laughing, which is always a good thing.

Make sure to check out the totally cool intro to "The Hardline", and don't miss the ultra-catchy, "Silicon Teens" - Yes, I know The Pulsars had a song called "Silicon Teens" already, and yes I think it's a better song, too. But my car likes it when I play Neuropa's "Silicon Teens". I must admit, it does sound good on the car stereo.

I've had the album since it's release and still play it regularly. A solid album, and a good move for Neuropa.

Neuropa has spent the last decade mastering the sounds of synthdance new wave, and this album is definitely their perfect release. There isn't a filler track on here. While they have honed the classic 80s sound and made it modern again, the original pioneers of this sound are floundering in the new millennium, not realizing that their original sounds are back in vogue. I'd much rather listen to Neuropa's latest CD than anything Erasure or Depeche Mode has released this decade. These infectious melodies and synth riffs and even the vocal quality of the singer remind me strongly of Anything Box, a synth band that was highly overlooked back then.