Customer Reviews

Neon Nights Electric Lives

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

 

 

How can a record so gothic have an album cover so white and pink? The music inside is liquid depression. Seven lovesick dirges anchored with a dripping, chorused bass guitar, synth string sections and a singer that at least doesn't sound like he's trying to channel Morrissey or Dead or Alive with his whisper-sung drawl.

"Vertigo" and "Ghosts" stand out on the merit of their individuality, and the undeniable atmosphere they create. The pull of "Vertigo" is apparent almost from its first notes, with that tear-stained bass heartbeat sitting pretty across from a guitar line that's so simple it seems to go everywhere-- the perfect backdrop for singer Andrew Paley's whisperings. On "Ghosts," Paley sings of porcelain dolls and screaming pixels over a ghostly synth and a pumping drumline. Throughout it all, the bass meditates in the undertow. Elsewhere, "Saltsick" sports an interesting arrangement making use of some outlandish percussion in what sounds like digital steel drums.

If there's one gripe about "Neon Nights, Electric Lives," it's a lack of flow. This is evidenced in the jarring transition between the opener and the somewhat lackluster "Amphibian," which while not a bad song on its own, simply doesn't fit the mood with which "Vertigo" set the table. Yes, it's definitely the same band, no doubt about it, but something "Vertigo" has is missing from many of the other songs here. In the face of a track that soars all over the musical spectrum for over six minutes, culminating in a howling guitar solo, songs like "Canopy" have a tendency to sound pedestrian in comparison.

Gripes aside, though, the Static Age have released a solid, if not brief, debut record in "Neon Nights, Electric Lives," and they pull off the '80s throwback act much more aptly and/or originally than bands like, say, She Wants Revenge. More to the point, Static Age's cultural plagiarism utilizes intrumentation and arrangements coupled with actual songwriting, which is always more entertaining than just trying to sing like dead guys (cough, Interpol, cough).

Recommended if you like Now It's Overhead, Bright Eyes, The Cure, Doves.

This cd is like heaven. The songs are slow and mellow for when you're just not in the mood for a scream-fest. I find it very reminiscent of Depeche Mode. The songs are love songs, but they're a little dark. Not too dark, but not fairy tale. From the first time I heard the songs Vertigo, Amphibian, Ghosts, and Armory on their website, I knew they were awesome and that I had to pre-order it.

I highly recommend it for anyone that likes The Cure, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, or Modern English.

After seeing their labelmates the Explosion twice and overlooking them many times, my best friend finally made me listen to the Static Age. I was blown away.

This album is better than anything that has been recorded in the past 5 years. The Static Age has such a unique sound and Andrew Paley's voice will blow you away.

Buy this album, and disregard anything negative that has been said about it. It is wonderful.

This album is incredible. I saw these guys play at CBGB's the other night and they really are like nothing else out there. The band's music is intricate, open, emotional and intelligent. Think the Psychedlic Furs meet the Cure meet the new face of thoughtful new wave rock.

A+ Kids.

There is nothing like this band out today. The Static Age is truly one of the most talented, unique bands coming up in the music industry.

Not only do you get 7 new songs--but you also get two remixes: Amphibian(Pakistan) and Vertigo(Airplanes). The Vertigo remix is one of the best tracks on this album, it almost sounds a little like Depeche Mode, or even VNV Nation.

Everything about Neon Nights, Electric Lives is outstanding. The vocals are haunting and the music perfectly matches that. The lyrics are a little so-so on one or two of the tracks' verses, but it doesn't take away from the brilliance of the record.

This album definitely deserves a listen.

Forty-two minutes of uninteresting `80s pop in the vein of Peter Gabriel and the Cure isn't my idea of an exciting time. This marriage between the two is an unholy and dull attempt to recreate that post-goth, post-emo dance-y sound that kids with too much black eyeliner like. From start to finish, the Static Age create a layered atmospheric sound using synths, delayed guitars and modulated bass; however, nothing sticks out. Of the nine tracks on Neon Nights Electric Lives, two have been remixed. The AFI cult will eat this up since Jade Puget remixes one of the songs. In conclusion: there is no reason to listen to this unless you want something to pass out to when you're drunk at 4 AM.

- Matt Kiser
Synthesis.net