Customer Reviews

Return to Central

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It appears that bis has matured, much to my approval, from the pre-teen adolescence of "Social Dancing" to twenty-something nostalgia without having to deal with the stupidity of puberty. The sound of Return to Central is very different from earlier bis albums, but I think it is a good thing. As I grow older (I'm currently 23 now), I couldn't really enjoy bis as much as I used to. Now this CD plays on repeat in my car. The songs perfectly improve on themes from "Social Dancing" but with more intellectualism and experience. But there is enough hearkening back to the days of childhood innocence that all of us "post-teens" can relate. For example, "A Portrait From Space" could very well have been penned in the 80's by some new wave band (If you think that's a bad thing, then forget what I just said. The song is excellent regardless.) and there are a couple songs that use video game sound effects to carry the melody (remember the days of 8-bit Nintendo?).

In addition, the band actually sings on this album. Too much lyrical yelling, found in excess on "Social Dancing", can get on one's nerves. I was especially impressed with Manda Rin's husky tones, which reminded me of Shirly Manson's voice of Garbage fame ("Two Million" sounds alot like a Garbage song as well).

One word of warning, although it doesn't really matter at all. Two of the tracks ("Black Pepper" and "Metal Box") are just minute-long filler, not real songs. But the real set of nine songs is long enough to fill out the album.

On a personal note, I believe that bis is the most unlucky band out there. They've had huge hits in Europe, but they've never been able to strike it big here in the US, despite their talent. Every release is on a different label. The artwork of this CD attests to their current meager situation. I believe that it is the duty of every bis fan to spread the word, for the sake of the band. It would be a shame if they couldn't make music anymore just because they can't afford to.

On first (greatly anticipated) listen to Bis's latest album I lamented that it wasn't like Social Dancing, a disc I loved because it was so immediately catchy and funny and snarky. The guitars have pretty much gone on Return to Central, as has the punk-pop aesthetic (some might have called it adolescent, but it was sure fun) in favor of what I can only call an attempt at sweep--orchestration, larger, weightier sounds. And I like it. But I like it in different ways from the ways in which I liked Social Dancing. Sometimes when a band's new release is very different from what fans have come to expect the attempt is bemoaned for not giving the public what it wants, but that's not really the point, is it? Bis literally ARE maturing, folks--their first releases came out as they were teenagers after all. What is wonderful about Return to Central is that the band's evolution seems organic and not forced. On first listen I found maybe only two songs immediately catchy--"Silver Spoon" and "Chicago" (perhaps unusual in that neither are lead-sung by Manda) because they both sport memorable choruses and BPM's. All of these songs are longer than the ones on Social Dancing, but they're also somewhat more contemplative--not that Bis has forgotten the dancefloor at all; the songs simply move you in different ways. The songs all feature downright lush orchestration and a clear attention to the DJ boards, and many of the songs end on absolutely beautiful, memorable, and cinematically sweeping notes. So this may be different for Bis given what we've heard from them in the past, but theirs is a musical evolution that is richly rewarding. I'm very glad I bought the disc.

I must say, this album really impressed me. Now, I must admit, I am a Bis fan, and a pretty hardcore one at that. I waited for, like, a year to buy this record, and I must say, I am beyond pleasantly surprised.
In a way, this was a pretty obvious direction for Bis to take (emotional electronica). Back in the days of "This is Teen-C Power!" they were cute, fun pop-punk. They matured into "The New Transistor Heroes" which took a much more anarchistic approach to their music. "Social Dancing" was a quick move into the elctronica scene, but definitely hung onto their rock interests. "Music For a Stranger World," although very electronic, was a bit...anchored to their old styles of playing; like they wanted to evolve, but were hanging on to their old music.
And this line brings us to "Return To Central." The band from Scotland completely throws away their past sounds and have now become complete and total electronica, but don't worry. Don't expect some annoying repetition of a blippy beeping noise pasted to some dope beats and pumping bass, although some songs do have that. Bis realize that those aforementioned bits of sound are not a real genre, so they have "appended" those to their songs. Hmm...does that make sense at all? What I'm trying to say is, their music sounds really good, and it features some good electronic sounds.
I figure I should mention my favorite songs: "What You're Afraid Of" is absolutely...astonishing. Manda-Rin almost whispers into the microphone, and the beats are very original. The overall experience of the song is glee, and I play it (and the rest of the CD) every day. "Protection." *cries* I am not sure why, but this song makes me upset, and I sometimes get teary. I am touched, Bis! "Robotic" is what would've been their first single. It is just cool.
Overall, the album deserves as many stars as possible, which is 5. Now, I know my review is not professional-sounding in any way, but you should take my word for it: Bis is great. This album is great. I mean, come on! It has replaced Bjork's "Vespertine" as my current obsession, and that is saying a lot!

From their ranchy, wild, candy-coated scene bis has now evolved into a stronger, more dominant and profound band of new sound and sophisication. For this I must commend them and so forth say why. I found bis into my life after hearing the Power Puff Girls ending theme and said to myself " Wow. That's a pretty cool song." and ofcourse I found myself looking through the credits and I found the band behind the song. At first I thought they were just the creators of the cartoon playing around but infact they are a band all the way from Scotland, Glasgow. How cool is that? When later buying the Power Puff Girls CD which included another song from bis about the super villian Mojo-Jojo I quickly went to my nearest record store and bought both " Transitor Heroes " and " Social Dancing " their first two albums not to mention other mini-albums and special promo stuff. bis soon became my "Yang" for the B-52's. Oh did I mention that bis is alot like the B-52's in many ways and I hope to think they were alittle inspired by them. If not oh well. So now if this album does not impress you than don't even bother hearing anything else from bis because this is as good as bis gets. With best vocals in such songs as " Silverspoon" and "Chicago" both harmonic, foot-tapping ballads of pure genius. And like Manda-rin said on an interview for a magazine called " FAKE IT and go home" she says and I quote " It's the kind of album you could listen to all day, which admittedly you couldn't do with the first two albums. " So give a listen and prepare for a spacy ride through some nice guitars, techno-beats, horns, piano solos, and ambient synths that make up the atmosphere of "Return to Central". If you arn't a bis fan give it a try and if you are you're in for a real treat. They are surely not just Kandy Pop anymore.

The difference between this and Social Dancing: Social Dancing is highly offbeat pop with an inescapably cultural influence. Return to Central is offbeat with an inescapably cultural influence, and it doesn't even pretend to be pop. This is easily the grittiest, edgiest, and (yes) darkest work they've ever done. And all I can say, really is...cool. ("Hella" cool, if you prefer.) Not for everybody and certainly doesn't fit anybody's definition of pop...but then, that's pretty much always been the point, hasn't it?

Lyrics could be a *little* more understandable, and the "filler" tracks, Black Pepper and Metal Box, are just redundant. Outstanding work otherwise. Damn shame it ended up being their swan song.

Right off the bat; I'm a big fan of Bis. Even so I have tried to keep this review as objective as possible, so here it is. THIS ALBUM REALLY ROCKS! ahem. Sorry had to get that out of the way. Here's a brief rundown of every track. WHAT YOU'RE AFRAID OF; Probably the track that needs to be heard a lot before it starts to grow on you, but it does. Manda's using her voice in a new and interesting way, and the Bis Boys are whispering in the background. SILVERSPOON; at first it's just a filler, but after a while this song seems to get, i dunno, deeper. Bis is showing a melancholy side for the first time and this is the first little taste of it. BLACK PEPPER; a one minute intro for the next song, but what a cool intro! Almost whish they had made an entire song based on that beat. THE END STARTS TODAY; My favorite track. And I mean favorite track ever. I love, LOVE, this song! Right from the first time you hear it, you know this is Bis at their most Powerful. PROTECTION; Not bad, but still my least favorite track. (But then "the end starts today" is a hard act to follow). TWO MILLION; Bis gets very technical here basing an entire track on the same basic rif, but I like it. CHICAGO; Oh boy, is that Scifi Steven singing? Good job! Excellent use of voice and instruments gets better every time. METAL BOX; A relatively pointless one minute intro to WE'RE COMPLICATED; A succesfully tragic love song, another hint at the emotional depth Bis has never before ventured into. ROBOTIC; great combo of beebs and blips, machine noices, nintendo samples and voice effects make it so much more fun and real. A PORTRAIT FROM SPACE; Melodious symphony that leaves you satisfied.

With only 11 tracks (whereof to are only a minute long and one is only a melody) you might be scared you're not getting your moneys worth this time. Let me put your fears to rest. This is one of the best albums I have heard in my life! I love Bis in all their forms. The loud organic punk rock "new transister heroes", their somewhat middle road, easy pop crowd pleasing "social dancing" and the technical, scifi'ish, synthesizer computerized (but still personal) "return to central". This is their best. Here it is.

I can't help comparing this to another recent release -- "beautifulgarbage" by Garbage.

"Return to Central" is an album that attempts as many things as Garbage claims to have hoped to accomplish with their release -- a departure from the sounds and styles their fans have come to expect and an effort to introduce more musicality into the performances.

Bis succeeds amazingly where Garbage fails miserably.

If you have been a long term fan of Bis, you will welcome the songs you hear on this album. Sure the tempos are slower, there is more restraint here than ever before. But Bis proves they can play it cool without losing anything.

You can hear true artistic growth in these songs.

I thought I'd be disappointed when I learned that Manda Rin would be doing fewer lead vocals this time around. But the shared vocal work is great. And Manda's delightful voice is heard often enough to please us.

Stand out tracks here for me are "Silver Spoon" and "Protection". The album opens with another winner -- "What You're Afraid Of".

As I scan the lyrics for this song, I notice a line that says it all: "take the radical way, the direct approach should always be encouraged".

There you have it -- the Bis credo!

This group is continually amazing.

I have been a passionate Bis fan for a couple of years now, since I heard "New Transistor Heroes" on the recommendation/shoving of a friend. Their lighthearted, but clear-eyed approach to lyrical subjects like self-esteem and gender politics meshed beautifully with truly impressive songwriting and musicianship from such young people. "Return To Central" is hugely different in sound and subject from Bis's chipper early days (I hesitate to say "snarky" again, but it's true). Certainly there is a maturity to the sound - the production is almost too lush and dense, and the formerly happy shrieking of Manda Rin and John Disco has been transformed into careful singing and harmony. The end product is just a hair away from being brilliant - perhaps a different producer would have helped bring this to fruition. As it is, it's sort of a muddle - a little too adult-contempo friendly for my tastes, much like the Spice Girls' better written and produced songs, except uniformly gloomy in outlook and sound. It's neither fish nor fowl, and after six enthusiastic listens, I can't say that it's one of my favorites.

Since their last full length album " Social Dancing " which progressed from their candy-coated attitude towards society, the pop group bis from Glasgow has certainly grown-up into a more convincing and self-explanatory voice. Keeping their old style but improving it nonetheless. Speaking out to the world and taking it head on through 11 new songs from " What You're Afraid of " which already gives you a quick idea of what bis is trying to get across. This album is the dark sides of a band living in a pop world gone all wrong but it also tells a person how they can get out of it by reminding those that they are unique and nothing can change that. Their mini-album " Music from a stranger world " kinda hinted that with songs like " How can we be strange? ", but the music in " Return to Central " is more dominant, strong, and mixes their instrumental works with blends of their techno beats. There is a great deal of excellant vocal work throughout many of the songs especially " Silver Spoon " and " Chicago ". Manda-rin's raspy punk voice which I love has a sweet soft side in this album which makes her even better and both the bis boys provide just as well between all the synths and sounds. These songs will have you in a trance and won't let go until their peaceful spacy finale " A Portrait from Space " I must say they have definitly gone to the next level of teen-c power. If you're not a bis fan at least give it a try and if you are... get ready for a treat.

I have been a Bis fan for many years. I was very sad that they "broke up" in 03, especially after such an awesome album like "Return To Central". Anyways, I have loved Bis through all of their different stages of music from the punk rock, to the pop/dance/rock, to the dance/pop/electronic and then their full on electronica sound. I loved this album soo much that I needed more and I bought the Australian import that had 2 bonus tracks "Make It Through" and "Don't Let The Rain Come Down". So, actually bought this album twice. That's how amazing it is! There is not a single bad song on this album. I can't even pick a favorite because it changes depending on my mood. If you are looking for rock music, then get their earlier stuff but this is one of the few bands in the world that actually evolved a great deal and still managed to make amazing music. It's been years since this album came out and it still remains in my top 5 list of all time favorite albums.

Also, if you like this album, then you will LOVE Margaret Berger's album "Pretty Scary Silver Fairy". Another amazingly catchy electronica album. If I had to pick only 2 albums in the world to have for the rest of my life, it would be those two albums. SO BUY THIS ALBUM!!