Customer Reviews

Meccano Mind

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Syntax stand somewhere between groups like Hybrid and Fluke. They have the dark and big atmospheres of Fluke and the cool catchy vocals that Hybrid do. But what they aren't doing is copying anybody.

This album "borrows" from many sources and comes up with something fresh and original. There's everything from EBM elements in it, to very-up-to-date electronica, and 80s style effects all seamlessly woven together.

Contrary to a fellow reviewer here, i think that "Meccano Mind" is more of a summer album, or to be more precise, a late summer album because of the melancholy running through major chunks of it. It feels like something, or someone, is leaving and the feeling is overbearing.

Lastly, there's several seriously strong tracks on it. This is easily a safe buy: the filler-factor is extremely low.
One of the better electronic albums of 2004...

There have been many times in my life when I could have said "Wow, I just love this album," but never before have I meant it quite like this. I have never enjoyed every single bit of a disc before. I'm surprised it hasn't exploded into popularity.

I found this band on pandora a few months ago, and since then have tried to find out all I could. Unfortunately, there's not much information to be had, but I did managed to get this album. It's kind of expensive (as an import) but it is absolutely worth every penny.

If you are a fan of electronica you will love this. Even if you aren't, give it a listen. You may be surprised at what you find, because every person I've played it for has loved it. It's good for rocking out at home or in your car, good for getting you excited and also relaxing before bed, and especially good for intimate moments. If I found someone that didn't enjoy this album, I think I would be quite shocked.

Meccano Mind is quite possibly, in fact I think it actually is, my favorite album of all time. I am not a die hard fan of random electronica and I spend absolutely none of my time engaged in "clubbing". And yet, this music is stimulating to me in a way that so little in this world can be. With slow beats that sort of creep up on you and then explode into an attack of sound that courses through you with no apologies, this record fills you with dark, moody obsession and leaves you craving more.

Subtle in their use of higher pitched sounds as muted accents placed above the underbeat and consistent in their use of deep base and always pleasing male vocals in ones and twos, Syntax seems to pull you out onto their concept of an ocean and move you from the inside out through each track. I have found that some groups tend to leave you with a jumbled mess of treble and general loudness while Syntax lowers the tone and takes you on a journey. You can understand what they say without reading the included lyrics. And, what they say is as brilliant in its poetry as in its sound.

This is electronica for the adult ear and the passionate soul. Listen to it with your eyes closed. Sit back and let it fill you. No matter how many synth records you listen to, you will never feel with them what you feel with this. Enjoy.

i stumbled on this album first thing monday at work, played it all day, everyone loved it and managed to sell loads on its playing to all ages, this album is fantastic. anyone liking this title also check out rob dougan-furious angels.

Fluke is one of my favorite bands. Expansive electro fired up with a hefty dose of urgency, lots of soaring synth and cataclysmic percussion. Gets me amped, as the saying goes. Their most recent album, Puppy, was a critical flop, but I consider one of the few albums I own where every song gets five stars. Maybe I'm just behind the times; every negative review I've read of the album calls it "dated" and "out of touch." Harsh.

And also stupid. Music is cyclical and inherently derivative. Give it a few years, and Fluke's sound will probably be de rigeur again before you know it. In the meantime, there's 2 Pie Island, Fluke's darker, angrier collaborative effort with musicians the likes of Andy Gray. Maybe you heard their single, "Nobody Never." Big back in 2005.

Between PUPPY and 2 BIT PIE, this little gem surfaced and was immediately forgotten. Wanting to sink his teeth and nails into a harsher and more intense kind of electro, Fluke member Mike Tournier teamed up with Jan Burton to create Syntax. The result is a beautifully bittersweet album, a collection of songs that are dark and uplifting in equal measures. The kind of record you might want to hang glide to, if it weren't unadvisable to hang glide with a stereo strapped to your body.

Unfortunately, due to a weak and underprepared marketing department and an uncooperative label, the band and the album failed to make any kind of mark on the music scene, and faded into obscurity before it was even given a chance. You might hear some of these songs on television shows or commercials for cars, but these guys are unfortunately no longer around. It's a shame.

Buy this CD. Put it on. Close your eyes. Go hang gliding.

I live in England and just bought this album yesterday from HMV. I absolutely love it. A great song to listen to on a gray day. Resonant, powerful and mind-settling at the same time.

I purchased this album because it is by Jan Burton and Michael Tournier of Fluke. I am extremely impressed by the quality of this album. There are many different sounds and feelings throughout the album, and each song is quite good. I suggest you purchase the Japanese market version, if you can find it, because it adds 3 tracks not found on the US and UK releases. The bonus tracks are very good tracks, with one being, in my opinion, the best on the album.

It is a shame that after the release of this album, Syntax has broken up. I suggest you pick it up fast while it's still available.

I'm no music critic, and don't know any of the industry jargon. But this album has it all. Crystal clear vocals, beautiful lyrics and fantastic instrumentals. It's powerful, provocative, evocative stuff. It makes one want to both, dance like a wildperson, wearing a cowboy hat and leather chaps; or croon to a lover on a beach.

I really love this album, its some of the better music I've heard out of its genre. Unfortunately, you can't purchase this in a downloadable format, so if you want it, you have to buy the CD.

What a great freshman and the only release by Syntax...Excellent collaboration of the Fluke's front man and other artists...Too bad Syntax disbanded right after the album was released...An undiscovered gem, however, you will find at least 6 remixes of various songs in this album...These are very hard to find...One remix of song Bliss is simply mind blowing...Felix da Housecat is the man behind the flawless remixing of that song...The same remix can also be found in the Global Underground # 29 cd set mixed by Sharam from Deep Dish...