Customer Reviews

Disconnect

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Few synthpop bands put out albums that I like from beginning to end...but Iris is an exception. The synthesizer melodies and the clear emotional vocals caught my attention immediately, much in the same way VNV Nation did when I first heard their work. Even if the lyrics lack sense at times, the music is so intense it doesn't soil the experience one bit. Disconnect is one of those rare releases where every track on the album shines...you can tell Reagan and Matt put their hearts and souls into this one. It's a perfect example of how even though the 80's are gone, synthpop is indeed not dead. If you like Depeche Mode, Wolfshiem, or any eletro-based music artist for that matter, definitely buy Disconnect while it's still available. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out Iris' latest album, Awakening, as well.

Iris is undoubtedly a band to keep an eye on especially forfans of synth-pop! Disconnect is vibrant and up beat. Reagan Jones'voice is quite soothing, as his lyrics are colorful and dreamy. Matt Morris does a great job programming and uses a wide variety of sounds from acid feedback loops and crunching guitar samples, to phase shifted synth sweeps and techno bass. I found the whole Iris experience positive and uplifting. The textures, melodies and breaks flow together smoothly. There are also no instrumentals. Here is the song list (*=my favorites):

.01 Lose in Wanting*

.02 Saving Time*

.03 Endless*

.04 Twilight

.05 The Way I Live My Life

.06 Annie, Would I Lie to You*

.07 Danger is the Shame*

.08 Waves Crash In

.09 Loom*

.10 The Picture

If Depeche Mode, Cause and Effect or Agnes Poetry happen to be your cup of tea, pour yourself a hot cup of Iris. For more info check out their site....

-Hats off to Todd and everyone over at the label A Different Drum for keeping fresh beats alive!

"Disconnect" from the grind. <Colliding stars can create a universe>

Live life... END

Iris cuts loose with an all out electronic assault on the senses. Armed with an arsenal of high tech gadgetry, Matt Morris proves he's no stranger to programming. He throws down some wicked beats layered with lots of cool synths. Combine that with Reagan Smith's smooth vocal style and colorful descriptive lyrics, and you've got a strong debut here. Most bands toss in a few useless instrumentals, but not these guys. All tracks are solid with that could be a hit single feel. The mood varies with harder egded slammin songs like "Lose In Wanting" and "Danger Is The Shame," to the more melodical and easy vibes of "Saving Time" and "Endless," which are two of my favorites. Of course the club anthem "Annie, Would I Lie To You?" is included along with "Twilight," "Waves Crash In," and a dope remake of "The Picture." I enjoyed the whole Iris experience...

It is a very rare thing indeed, An album that has no bad or even marginal songs. I have listened to each one of these songs countless times and they still sound as fresh and powerful as they did the first time. I can count on one hand the number of albums that have the top to bottom quality of this one. Waves crash in, Annie, Twilight, etc all classic synthpop with Iris' own twist. If there is any justice in this world, this album would be the best seller of the decade ... Buy it, Hear it, Love it, tell somebody else these guys deserve massive exposure.

I only heard about Iris today, and I already managed to nab myself a copy of their new album Disconnect. It's gentle and mellifluous, with soothing male vocals. Normally, I listen to much harsher stuff, but these synthpop tunes manage to bridge the gap between my usual industrial and the rarely-listened-to shoe-gazer music. Reagan Jones' voice is plaintive and slightly whining, but somehow, still sounds quite appealing.

Fans of Erasure, Red Flag, early Depeche Mode, and the ilk will enjoy this poppy album. The lyrics are bittersweet: sad but made buoyant by a fulsome suffusion of hope.

If you are reading this now, and you are remotely interested in synth-pop, goth-pop or just plain well executed electornic music, you must buy this album today.

This is one of the best electronic albums of the 90's. Has a retro feel to it, but the sound is defintely up to date. If you are listening to trancy based electronic music but used to like the melody and song based music of the 80's, this album is defintely for you. Basically, its an updated version of a really good Depeche Mode album from the 80's. In fact, it's better than anything DM has released since Violator.

IRIS is one of the new synth-pop bands out there and might I say that they are great. They sound very similar to "Cause and Effect". The entire album is filled with wonderfull synth sounds and great lyrics that would put a smile on your face as well as make you feel sad. If you are into the synth-pop sounds like Depeche Mode, Camouflage, Red Flag, and Cause and Effect, then you will love IRIS. There are not too many bands out there anymore making great synth sounds like the older days. A must Have.

when muriel says in "muriels wedding" that she has always wanted her life to be like Dancing Queen,I knew exactly what she meant...and I could say the same about this Album.
It is utterly perfect euphoric melancholic pop,it makes me sing and dance and cry and want to take my clothes off and run around naked in the street!

Any body who grew up listening to erasure, depeche,omd you would love this album. When i bought this it opened my ears to new synth music. Now I buy alot of this new stuff because of iris. Also get de/vision,mesh,blue october,agnes poetry. There is still good music out there.

Disconnect is a solid and wonderful album from start to finish. The only reason why I give it a 4 is because very few albums on my list score a 5. I've recommended this album to all my friends and I still haven't received any complaints. It's hard to choose a favorite song. The vocals, programming and production are top notch. A synth-pop classic. Highly recommended.