Customer Reviews

Rocket Science

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I won't dismiss the claims by other reviewers made against this album; I know where they're coming from, and I understand their frustrations with the new Apop sound. Stephen Groth has proven to be nothing short of an electronica god, but no one would know it listening to "Rocket Science". I guess that's why I'm still surprised that I took to this album as strongly as I did.

But then, electronic music and rock provoke two very different positive reactions from me. At its best, the electronic side of Apoptygma Berzerk transported me far away, and filled me with a sense of awe and beauty; it was a very transcendent feeling. Rock music in all its forms, however, never provokes such a reaction, and thus the two latest albums don't either. If electronica is my spiritual experience, rock is my secular experience, and "Rocket Science" is just that. It takes me away from the troubles of the day and fills my head with catchy choruses, driving drums and guitars, and a few synths here and there. It's not transcendent, but it's fun, and still inspiring.

Compared to "You and Me Against the World," I feel like the song writing has improved ten-fold, and I get the feeling that Apoptygma Berzerk is heading towards the nearly perfect rock/electronica hybrid; they're not there yet, but this feels to me to be a step in the right direction. In the meantime, as a vaguely electronic rock album, it satisfies.

Apoptygma Berzerk was my first introduction to EBM. I had found a copy of WELCOME TO EARTH at my local used record store and bought it on a whim. The rest is history. When YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD first came out, I have to admit I liked it but as time grew on, the less I liked the band's alternative rock sound. There were some songs that I liked but for the most part the album was a mess. Against better judgment I found a cheap copy of the new album ROCKET SCIENCE. Thankfully it was a used copy because this album turned out to be another disappointment for me. The alternative rock sound still remains a permanent fixture which I did not like one bit. I will say at least there is some elements of the old Apop like on "Apollo (Live On Your TV)". I can definitely hear a lot more crisp synthesized beats on this album than its predecessors. I will admit I do like the first 3,4 songs but after the fifth track "United States of Credit", the quality in the music greatly diminishes. I tried to like ROCKET SCIENCE but like the last album, I ended up disappointed.

So, here I am at 29 yrs old... I know what is good music by now. I loved the last 3 or 4 APOP albums... great quality music, filled with emotions, excellent productions, music that really hit the soul. This album is very very different. It feels like a bunch of B-sides from "You and Me Against The World" (which was my favorite album of 2005). There is not much difference in the production value (except it sounds a bit under-produced), the drums don't hit hard enough, etc....

The song-writing (except for "Apollo") is down-right terrible. Lots of repitition, chord progressions that never resolve, annoying guitar loops, etc... Not one song made me spark up inside like "In This Together", "Kathy's Song" or "Eclipse".

I feel not very much effort or time was spent on this album, and it's a shame because I LOVE APOP.. up until now.

What do I fear the most? The possibility that "Rocket Science" is not enough....

-Adam

What a shame, Apop was my favorite group but the steady march of decline began with the previous album and ended with this dirge of pop rock. I suppose good things on earth have their time, just wished the heard of techno/electronic music in my life didn't have to end this way. Perhaps if they re-discover who they were I could come back home.

Brilliant as always. There are few bands or artists capable of pulling off this many solid albums. "Asleep or Awake" is possibly my favorite. The theme of the album makes for aspirational, driving lyrics, and harkens to one of Apoptygma's favorite ideas - that of the future and science, the promise, fantasy and fear it all wraps up in one. The cover of "Trash" far outshines the original, with broad appeal despite its edge. "Shadow" and "Apollo (live on your TV) are also selections I love.

Now, I can't leave a 5-star review and not address a bit of the negativity in the other reviews. Am I less bothered by the transition, since my introduction was "Eclipse" rather than something off of the early Apopcalytic Manifesto? Maybe. If you only enjoy Apoptygma's original genre, or that of strictly gothic, industrial, then perhaps you won't be a fan. Personally, it gets me a little bit that some original followers of Apop have abandoned ship. Do I sometimes selfishly fear the music that feels so personal and intimate to me will catch on with the masses? Yeah, I do, and I don't really want to share it. But if it does, its just cause its so amazing, and I certainly won't dispose of something I love just because others may find value in it. To me, its not all that different than it ever was -- its still the dark, edgy, Apoptygma Berzerk I love, laced with incredible hooks and great beats.

Back in the day I remember dancing to early Apop "love never Dies" "Deep Red" "Non-Stop Violence" and the hits from Welcome To Earth. While I can appreciate a style change, what they are doing now..."indie-rock"? isn't even being done at an average level. Check out the new Mesh "A perfect solution".... Now that's how its done!

Apop has gone completely mainstream now. If you hated the last album, "You and Me Against the World," you'll probably hate this one even more -- with one exception. But if you liked the last album, then you're in for a treat. This album is a much more solid entry into the pop scene, with hooks galore and catchy lyrics. The lyrics I think are actually better this go around, and the vocals are great. I suggest listening to the tracks you can on their site and wherever else you can before you buy, but note: Apollo (Live on your TV) is not the best song.

The album opens with a great anthem "Weight of the World," with a very cool vocorded vocal, "Pleased to meet you: We came to drop bombs on you." This album is like "Welcome to Earth" in the sense that instead of a UFO conspiracy, the government is the conspiracy this time with songs like "Awake or Asleep" and "Incompatible" questioning what has been going on in the US for some time. Check out the video online. There's no filler on this album in my opinion, with the exception of "United States of Credit," which is just a quick intermission from the real music and a dig at the US' consumer culture.

The song that stands out on this album that could have come from "Welcome to Earth" or even earlier in the catalog is "Shadow" with the exception of the guitars. It's truly a throw back to earlier Apop albums and worth the buck you can get it for online. The chorus is very memorable: "For way too long, I've been merely a shadow, of my true self. I'm in despair; I'm beyond repair."

I love the whole album though, and as long as you listen with open ears and without any preconceptions of what Apop should sound like you'll probably dig it unless you can stand angsty pop. This is by NO MEANS industrial, nor does it fit nicely in electronica. If anything it's closer to EBM and definitely in their self-created category*: Futurepop, considering the heavy synth layers throughout the album and digital sounds and samples. If you think it is, you need to go back to music school. ;) The closest band to Apop these days is VNV, though I'm sure there are others I simply haven't heard of because they've been labeled mainstream rock.

Give the tracks a cursory listen to really judge whether or not you'd like this. As for me, I'll enjoy this installment of Apoptygma's transition to mainstream rock band.

(*Note: Apop and VNV created the "Futurepop" moniker from what I know.)

I am a big fan of APB and also a supporter of the EBM scene. When I first heard YAMATW, I enjoyed it but it lacked the ability to stick with me for a long time. With the older albums, they never get too old or stale. That's why I had a lot of anticipation for this album because I didn't want more fluff. After hearing Apollo, it made me very worried since it appeared they were in for YAMATW 2. Luckily for me it wasn't the case, I must admit that most of my childhood I was raised from 80s music. If you are a fan of good 80s music, then you should definitely look into getting this album. Most of the songs are really catchy and have a fun feeling. I'm proud of APB for diversifying themselves, I think this is just a natural evolution of the band. Especially if you listen to the Harmonizer video single versions with guitars, then the cover version of "A Strange Day." I think this is where Stephan wanted to take the band eventually in order to stay relevant and different from other EBM bands that have long become stale. Regardless, this is a great album in my opinion, definitely recommended for fans of good 80s music with an APB sound attached.

I have been into the electronic scene for several years now.VNV Nation, Neuroticfish, New Order, Kraftwerk, and Covenant are just a few of my favorites. My absolute favorite is, however, Apoptygma Berzerk. I have bought and listened to every album since 7 and Soli Deo Gloria, and have loved each one.Rocket Science is no exception.
Stephan Groth, the front man of Apoptygma Berzerk, is known for his musical experimentation. His sound has been evolving since day one, so to those who say that he has sold out, you are wrong. He has not sold out, he makes music for himself. Rocket Science was just another step forward in his opinion. His mixture of electronic music and rock in Rocket Science and YAMATW is unmatched by any other. He is creating a "Synth-Rock" for the future. Every song on Rocket Science is brilliantly crafted with maybe, emphasis on the maybe, one or two exceptions. His lyrics have gotten progressively better over time and are showcased on this album. Each song tells a story whether it be political criticism in "Weight of The World" or personal struggle in "Shadow." His songs are written in a personal way yet others can still relate. Stephan himself has stated that he writes what he thinks people "need to hear" not what they necessarily want to. When he is writing about so-called conspiracy theories, he is trying to educate others on what he believes is truly happening. Some may agree with what he says, some may not, but that is no reason to bash his music.
Rocket Science is easily a 5/5 and I am eagerly awaiting Stephan's next step...
For those who love Apop and Rocket Science, here are some bands to check out:
White Lies- bit more indie rock but still pretty cool synths
Ladytron
The Faint

There seem to be a lot of people that have expectations when it comes to specific bands. a lot of those sit on the Metropolis Records list, and they oftentimes get hammered when they do not create an album like other albums. Rocket Science has been one of those, with comparisons flying left and right about what this thing should have been. The problem with that is that we leave out exactly what the album is.

When I first listened to this album, i thought it reminded me of some of the oldest stuff that the band had done. It had a rougher edge in some of the musical aarenas, did not play with as many electronics in some areas, and went away from some of the messages that many of the bad's albums have been laden with. It was still a gfreat album, however, and it made me think of other changes that people didn't like. When Voxing fell off, people were not happy. When VNV Nation sang about life and not about politics, there seemed to be an uproar. Still, Voxing showed us that vocals could sound sexy, VNV makes beautiful songs, and ApB are simply great at what they do.

As a person buying an album, you are taking the word of differing people. So, being the one person that can true choose "right or wrong," you should listen to some of the tracks. amazon provides tastes of everything and you can see what you think about it. Do not make a rash choice, however, and allow the album to sink in. I'm sure that not listening has shelved good albums in the past for a while in everyone's life - i have done it way too often - so see what side you fall on. Regardless, I really think this is an album that belongs in their collection of great things.