Customer Reviews

Raise the Pressure

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Well, I was looking through some old reviews I'd written recently when I came upon one I'd written about Electronic's "Raise the Pressure". I was shocked and disgusted at this fool who had been me but a year ago yet somehow seemed to be such a poor judge of good music. Well, I guess that's what happens when you only listen to an album a few times.

Well, I've listened to it more times than I can count now so you can trust me when I say that this is just about as good as Electronic's first album. While it is different, the Pet Shop Boys influence being gone and a little bit of Alternative music influence in its place, every song manages to be memorable especially the first half of the album. Sumner, along with excellent backup vocalist Denise Johnson, really helps bring together standout tracks such as Dark Angel, One Day, and the jewel of the album, Second Nature.

After my initial reaction to "Raise the Pressure", I wasn't willing to pay the import price to scope out Electronic's third album, "Twisted Tenderness". After giving the disc a fair chance, however, I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

Relevant to the ridiculous scene of popular music or not, this is a great album, and one of my most played CD's. Much better than "okay"....

For those unfamiliar with the band Electronic, the members are Johnny Marr, former guitarist of the Smiths and Bernard Sumner, vocalist for New Order. Together, the two are pilars of the Manchester music scene that blossomed in the late 70s and early 80s. This album in particular was produced by Karl Bertos, of Kraftwerk. If you've ever listened to their self-titled previous album, this seems to be the natural progression of their music. Not only do they maintain their dance sound, but utilize more of Johnny Marr's excellent guitar work.

Bernard Sumner is also on point with his Brit-boy vocals often imitated by many other artists, but never duplicated. One of the stand-out tracks is "Dark Angel", which is an up-tempo, lyrically melancholy dance track where you can feel the Kraftwerkian influence of Bertos. "Second Nature" is a solid dance track with a style reminiscent of the Pet Shop Boys, but without all of the theatrics. Meanwhile, "Time Can Tell" is a slower track, with a more romantic feel.

Overall, you've got a solid album which is a prime example of what Brit-pop should be, and what many other artists should aspire to. I highly recommend the album, and also suggest checking out some of their other work.

Anyone who gives this album less than a perfect score of 5 out of 5 sure don't know what they're talking about. I love this album dearly and cannot decide if the self-titled debut was better or this - it's a toss up really. But it wouldn't be right for me to choose any of the two when Twisted Tenderness is close to mind-blowing as well...

It's a given that every single song on this album is out of this world - except for the interlude: Sure, it isn't a song per se, but it is a waste of 40 seconds in my opinion. Some of the songs that will stick in your head for sure are, "Forbidden City", "Dark Angel", "Second Nature" and "Visit Me".

If you love New Order's Republic, then Electronic is the New Order side project for you. RAISE THE PRESSURE IS A STELLAR ALBUM EVERY SINGLE PERSON SHOULD OWN!

Electronic's second album `Raise the Pressure' is a departure from their self titled debut that was mostly dance oriented music with pop and rock traces. Don't get me wrong the songs are still danceable it is just the pop and rock is more prevalent.

At first I thought this album was boring compared to their debut. However, I have listened to their debut so many times that over the last month I have given this cd a chance and it is really strong.

I will categorize the album into pop/rock songs like, `Forbidden City', `For You', `One Day', `Out of my League', and dance songs like `Dark Angel', `Until the End of Time', `If you `ve got love', `Freefall', `How Long', and hybrids of the two genres like `Second Nature', `Visit Me', `Time can Tell'.

Bernard Sumner's vocals, lyrics, and music is very strong. I feel he is the strongest artist that I have ever heard at making dance pop/rock music with powerful choruses. The guitars are clean electric and sound very good as well as the keyboards and synths. The drums and percussion are very danceable.

I recommend this album and please give it a chance before dismissing it as an inferior album to their debut. I feel it is equally as strong just different.

Don't listen to anyone who says this CD isn't great. (Especially reviewers who couldn't bother to listen to it more than a few times.) The first few times I listened to it (back on the day it came out in summer 1996), I didn't like it much either. But a few more listens revealed its greatness, and it has been one of my favorite CD's since. "Forbidden city", "For you", and "Second nature" were the singles, and are all awesome. My favorite tracks however, are the faster and more electronic sounding "If you've got love" and "Dark angel". The other tracks are all good too, except I don't really care for "One day". Denise Johnson's backing vocals are simply incredible. Karl Bartos (formerly of Kraftwerk) co-wrote many of the tracks and played keyboards, though it is harder to tell exactly what his contributions were. Anyway, this is a great album, and I like it better than their debut and "Twisted Tenderness".

One of the best album from Electronic! Very melodic and sensible. Track "Second Nature" blowing up my head. :-)

I have to admit I don't listen to the whole cd that much...but I am obsessed with "Until The End Of Time". It is SO fabulous! It's worth the full price, but under 10 dollars is a bargain for this under-appreciated album. Their first album is really good too. I recommend it as well. If you are a fan of New Order or electronic music in general and have not yet listened to "Until The End of Time", give it a listen NOW!

In this age of mass - produced - rave drone - techno it's great to know that amazing true talent still exists. Worlds away from the thumpy thumpy drivel often heard in shopping malls the music of Electronic makes you pause and think. I have their debut CD as well as Twisted Tenderness. Each musical chapter extremely different yet subtley so. What so attractive about Electronics music is the way they have no need to constantly reinvent their sound. They evolve yet still manage to stay true.

I like how the music isn't ashamed to sound joyful [Forbidden City] pensive [Second Nature] and sweet [Out of my League - just melts my heart with that piano verse]. By in large this is an excellent CD bravely encompassing all emotions [well except for angst and self pity].

Like all of Electronic's albums, this is infinitely listenable. Entertaining because it is what we have come to expect. Nothing really exciting, special, spectacular or out on a limb. It is Electronic; it is Bernard and Johnny... same guitars, same synth, same lyrics and vocals. I see nothing original here. I don't buy these albums expecting something groundbreaking or ingenious because the genius of each artist has already been tapped for other things (New Order and the Smiths). I don't turn to this music looking for novelty, genius or anything remotely profound. I look to it because it is comforting and all the same Bernard and Johnny that fans know and love. My favourite track is the first one, "Forbidden City". I love the album, don't get me wrong. It just isn't anything new.

FIRST THERE WAS THE FIRST CD , 10YRS LATER CAME RAISE THE PRESSURE. THE WHOLE CD IS A GEM. NOW , THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CDS THAT YOU HAVE TO FORGET WHAT THE CRITICS REVIEWS SAYS. ITS ONE OF THOSE CD WITH INTELLECTUAL LYRICS AND A GREAT BEAT. ITS HARD TO FIND MUSIC THESE DAYS WITH REAL SUBSTANCE,WITHOUT THE REPEATING OF THE CHORUS CONSTANTLY. I MUST SAY, THAT I AM A GREAT CRITIC MYSELF. I HAVE OVER 350 CDS IN MY COLLECTION. THEY INCLUDE FAVORITES OF MINE , LIKE ERASURE , DEPECHE MODE, PETSHOP BOYS, SMITHS, THE CURE, NEWORDER, MODERN TALKING, BAD BOYS BLUE, SANDRA, OMD, YAZ, AND MANY OTHER BRIT POP BANDS. IF YOU LIKE ANY OF THESE ABOVE MENTIONED GROUPS YOULL LOVE ELECTRONIC. JUST LISTEN TO TRACK 6 OVER AND OVER AND YOULL UNDERSTAND WHY. I HAVE ONE WORD FOR THIS CD .............EXCELLENCE!!!