Pulse

Front 242 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metropolis Records
• ASIN: B00008XRY6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,081 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Belgium

Track Listings

1. SEQ666: P

2. SEQ666: U

3. SEQ666: L

4. SEQ666: S

5. SEQ666: E

6. Together

7. Triple X Girlfriend

8. NoMore - NoMore

9. Beyond the Scale of Comprehension

10. Song: StarCandy

11. One - With the Fire

12. One Reverse

13. Matrix: OpenStatic

14. Matrix: MegaHertz

15. Never Lost: Faust

16. Never Lost: Riley

17. 7Rain (Filter)

18. Pan Dhe

19. Pan Mihk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel the pulse..., April 19, 2005

By 

Ilker Yucel "Kryptych" (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pulse (Audio CD)

It has been ten years since Front 242 graced our ears with their infectious array of beat-driven electronic experimentation. As one of the purveyors of what is now known as EBM, 242 were at the forefront of the synthesizer revolution of the '80s. By the early '90s, the band started to run into some turmoils; the two vocalists didn't agree with the new direction the instrumentalists were taking. Instead, 242 started to incorporate a more layered approach, building ambience upon their old formula coupled with abrasive guitar textures, ultimately creating a more grating sound that put the band on par with their industrial counterparts. Over the next ten years, the members of 242 would pursue other projects, as well as revamping their older material for the Re:Boot tour that ran from '97 to '02. Some didn't agree with their more techno-fied reworkings of their classics, but in this day and age of Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy, Crystal Method, and other such electronic and industrial bands who have taken the technology to new lengths, 242's old sound is now obsolete. Many fans don't seem to understand this, but the band can not exist in this day and age sounding like they did in the '80s. Not only would it sound hacknyed and rehashed, but it would be unoriginal and not in line with the band's adventurous spirit. They've always been about taking things further and pushing the limits of what is possible musically and technically. The old sound is over...it's time to move on.

So after ten years, Front 242 returns with an album of pure experimental synthesis. "Pulse" is an apt title, with the music still relying on a strong beat as the backbone. The difference now...the beats are more subdued, which may lead to some people feeling the music is too mellow for 242. I won't argue, the music does feel less harsh than much of the band's previous output, but harshness does not necessarily equal intensity. The level of sonic textures at work on this album are nothing short of impressive. Sure, to gearheads all over the world, some of it may sound derivative, like they took the presets and just recorded themselves tweaking with them to the point of being unrecognizable. Consider this...that's what much of their earlier material was in the first place as well, thus the band is returning to their roots in a sense. With so many palettes of sound going on, it's a good thing that the beats were toned down to allow the listener to hear the music as a work of music and sound, not just as something to dance to. Much of this material could easily be remixed to be danceable, or even transformed for live performances (as the band is known for altering their music to suit the live environment, I wouldn't be surprised of a song like "Triple X Girlfriend" could be made danceable in live shows). The intro track(s) "Seq666 (P.U.L.S.E.)" are 12 minutes of pure electronic bliss, perfect for the modern rave or the electronic connessieur. Songs like "Matrix (MegaHertz)," "No More No More," "One," and "Together" harken back to 242's good old mix of aggressive energy and melodic lyricism. Jean-Luc de Meyer's vocals may seem lighter than they've been in the past, but so what? The man can still deliver those dark and passionate vocals we've come to know and love. Other tracks like "Beyond the Scale of Comprehension" and "Never Lost" may sound like self-indulgent works of synthesizer tweaking, but I'll bet if they had a dance beat to them, people wouldn't be complaining.

All in all, I have to say that "Pulse" did take some getting used to. I wasn't at all prepared for Front 242 to sound like this, but over time I've come to appreciate the album for what it is, a work of pioneering electronic mastery. So there may be traces of Daniel B's and Patrick Codenys' Male or Female project in the music, but that's only natural, there's no getting around it. Any musician will tell you, no matter how many projects they have, elements of all of them will blend into each other...the people are the common thread, so it's going to happen. However, there is a distinct sense that this album is undoubtedly Front 242. Change is a good thing if you allow it to be. The Front 242 of the '80s is over...it's time for a new Front 242. The band members are older, wiser, and more experienced. How do you start from scratch? The answer is you make an album like "Pulse," to start with no preconceptions of what Front 242 are "supposed" to sound like and return to the original intention...experimentation. Front 242 was about pushing the envelope. That envelope has been pushed. It's time to find a new one, and "Pulse" pushes for that. It doesn't always succeed, but what first effort does? There are hits and misses, but that's what hindsight and improvement are for. Who knows? Maybe their next album will contain more vocal tracks, maybe not. Maybe their next album will be heavier on the beat, maybe not. Time will tell, but it is not the choice of the fans what direction 242 move in...it's the band's choice. All we can do as fans and listeners is give it the chance. It will not please everybody, but whatever does? "Pulse" is both the return and the rebirth of Front 242. Put your preconceptions aside and do as the band did...start from scratch. Don't deny the past, just remember that it is the past. It's over...it's time for the future. This is Front 242 in the now. Just give this album a chance...it is indeed worth it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Electronic Brilliance, December 5, 2003

By 

Justin Osgood (Las Cruces, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pulse (Audio CD)

Like many die-hard Front 242 fans, I waited with sheer anticipation and excitement for the release of "Still & Raw" and "Pulse" this year. I mean, ten years is a LONG time to wait for your favourite band to return to the fold. But I didn't really have any expectations as to what it was going to sound like. Sure, Daniel and Patrick have ventured into more "electronic" territory as of late with Male or Female and their remixes of other artists as Grisha, but I knew that wouldn't alter their sonic philosophy TOO much when it comes to Front 242. IMHO, I was correct.
"Seq666" is a tour-de-force if ever there was one. It reminds me almost of "WYHIWYG" in its evolving and morphing sound over time, building and layer of rhythms and textures, and of course...the driving beats.
"Together" arrives like a rocket from 242 past with a brand-new metallic sheen, even employing those great bleeps from "Modern Angel" (one of my all-time favourite 242 songs) to great effect. This song makes you want to get up and move, due to its sheer majestic power and intensity. Jean-Luc's voice makes a welcome return to Front 242 territory, and it feels like he was never really gone after all when you hear him sing, "To belong, to be longing".
"Triple X Girlfriend" is another favourite of mine from the album. The subliminal "hums" in place of a bass-line, the skeletal beats, the sounds of raindrops in a sky lined with electric clouds, and more unmistakable brilliance from Jean-Luc in the vocal department make this one an instant classic in my view. Definitely a song percolating with sheer atmosphere.
It's true that Pulse is an album to be appreciated fully after repeated listens. You can't really decipher everything there is going on here after one sitting, and I don't think somebody could truly make up their mind about it after just hearing all the songs once. There are so many different sounds and textures to pick apart...as with any of 242's music...you have to sit down and really lose yourself in the atmospheres and rhythms to enjoy them completely.
There aren't many songs here to bang you over the head in a club-setting. Front 242 have already done that. If you want something tailor-made for a club, choose any of the five million remixes of "Headhunter" or any of the remixes Underworld or Prodigy did for them ten years ago. It's clear to me that 242 are in the mood to further experiment with their "trademark" sound and style, and that's completely fine with me.
I agree with a lot of other people when they say Jean-Luc isn't as prominent a presence on "Pulse" as he certainly could be. If I could change anything about the album, it would be that.
Some other favourites:
"One - With the Fire" starts with an ominous bass-line and erupts with a thundering beat, as Jean-Luc's immortal voice whispers in his own unimitable style. This song reminds me the most of 242's older work, but with a newer and fresher sound.
"Matrix - MegaHertz" is a true industrial anthem, with synthesized strings, jackhammering drums and percussion, and overflowing with raw power and menace. Jean-Luc's voice is again used to wonderful effect here; a song that should be released as a possible single in my view.
"Beyond the Scale of Comprehension" is full of great effects and atmospheres, with a thudding and almost uneven beat stuttering beneath what sounds like a melancholic organ and layers of distortion, coupled with some actual effective tampering with Jean-Luc's voice.
"Pan" is my favourite of the "Pulse" instrumental tracks, and a great way to end the album with what could very well be the heaviest techno elements Patrick and Daniel have ever produced in a 242 release. The drum patterns are awe-inspiring and the samples are pure brilliance.
In all, this is NOT 242 as people know them from Wax Trax eras. This is a bold and inspiring look to the future of electronic music as well as a template for what could come next in the evolution of these legendary producers. With so many dull and lifeless electronic releases clogging the CD shelves these days, it's wonderful to see something with such creativity once again. I just hope we won't have to wait so long for the next album!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When techno pioneers get old, do their listeners? - REmixED, June 13, 2003

By 

<Anvil.Chorus> "Socio-Techno-Observo" (the Konza Plains) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pulse (Audio CD)

My first review was short sighted.

When I first sat down and wrote my scathing review of Front 242's new album I will admit I was disappointed. I was expecting more of a mid-80's Front 242, still full of pounding youthful energy. I had heard that it was going to resemble some aspects of that decade's material. I really didn't know anything until I bought it to hear for myself.

I did something I rarely do, I acted without thinking. In this case I did that and I didn't really listen to work. Now I am back to eat some words and also redefine my perspective after hearing the songs over and over again.

Well, they are 'getting grey', but that isn't bad. In fact, within is a masterpiece -- drawing upon all the experiences and wisdom-- shining in two, new packages (also see Still and Raw). They have taken their brash sound and brought it to an easy listening level. Well, maybe it isn't even that. Perhaps it is more dynamic in its volume. I don't know - I am constantly thinking about it in different ways.

They have thrown in a decent culmination of potent wordsmithing. I prefer more songs with lyrics. I really like their lyrics. I think that may have also been why I didn't care for this CD at first, and it why I don't give it a 4 out of 5. I perceived it as having too much...

...TWEAKING. OH MY GOD: the tweaking in this is really top shelf! For purely production purposes I give this CD 6 out of 5. It is so well calculated that my brain is twitching. WOW! You just have to hear it to understand. Listen to 'Together' in it's entirety, you will know what I am talking about.

Do buy this CD. You can still read my initial review and compare.