Customer Reviews

Zero One Infinity

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

 

 

They've come on in leaps and bounds since _Simon Basic_. While the basic ingredients are the same - male and female vocals, indie guitar and judicious application of synth - I found the end result a lot more satisfying.

While 80s nostalgia abounds in both the lyrics and the band's overall sound, this time it's a lot less...well, twee and cutesy. I know that was the appeal for some people, but to my ears it's made the band's sound a lot more distinctive.

If you've never heard Barcelona before...uh, they're kinda difficult to describe without using reference points, really, I tend to classify it along with bands like the late lamented Pulsars and The Rentals (and maybe Stephin Merritt's stuff, although it's not in his league lyrically) - American indie with synths and strong 80s influences (hence the recent appearance on March's Human League tribute album).

This is an awesome CD. 13 great songs (Track 6 is a very short instrumental. The "for modem users" leads me to guess that some sort of data may be encoded in it, but at any rate its not a real song.) For anyone who has heard "Simon Basic", this is simply a step forward from that, with even better sound and songwriting. For those unfamiliar with Barcelona, it reminds me of what early New Order could have been if Bernard could actually write clever lyrics and they let Gillian sing sometimes. Every track contains both guitars and really cool synth noises. My favorites here are "Obsoletion", "Have You Forgotten About The Bomb", and "Kasey Keller". I didn't even know who Kasey Keller was before I heard this song, which shows that unlike the writer of this song, I'm not into soccer. But it is a great song. I also had to do research to find that the track "Haunted By The Ghost Of Patty" is about the former singer of The Waitresses. Great music that also inspires increased knowledge of minor celebrities: Who could ask for more? The tracks are: 1. Studio Hair Gel 2. Bugs 3. Paging System Operator 4. Electronic Company 5. I Have The Password To Your Shell Account 6. Drums and Bass (For Modem Users) 7. Replicant 8. Obsoletion 9. Robot Trouble 10. Have You Forgotten About The Bomb 11. 1980-1990 12. Haunted By The Ghost Of Patty 13. My Mom's New Boyfriend 14. Kasey Keller

If you've not yet listened to the songs on this album, then you've not yet listened to Barcelona! Classics like Studio Hair Gel, Bugs, and I have the password to you Shell account are among the very best of what Barcelona has to offer.

Barcelona is not a great band, but they can definitely create catchy songs (this album has a good amount of them but they're too cheesy to give it a serious rating). Though the singer falls under the "love-it-or-hate-it" category (he has a nerdy but gentle voice), I think he's a good choice for the type of music here. The songs themselves are pretty cheesy (I think they were aware of this too), but "Zero-One-Infinity" DOES have 6 or 7 great indie pop songs. "Kasey Keller" and "Haunted By The Ghost Of Patty", for example, are both pretty good songs. I don't think Barcelona has mass appeal (I just like them for some reason), but it's not an unsatisfying album (although considering it's out of print now and selling for $100.00 I definitely wouldn't recommend it even IF you really like the band). If you like this album you will probably like "Simon Basic" and "Transhuman Revolution" too (though probably not as much, this album has better songs on it). Fans should also download "Do It Yourself" and "I Go Crazy" off Sprites' website (the new band featuring Barcelona's lead singer). Highly recommended for Barcelona fans and the curious.

Highlights include:
"Studio Hair Gel"
"Bugs"
"Paging System Operator" (a guilty pleasure)
"I Have The Password To Your Shell Account"
"Replicant"
"Robot Trouble"
"Have You Forgotten About The Bomb?"
"Haunted By The Ghost Of Patty"
"My Mom's New Boyfriend"
"Kasey Keller"

barcelona is a group that spits out catchy music like no other...its as simple as this, if you like boys, girls, guitars, and synths, buy this cd! you will not be let down, guarenteed...

Definitely one of the best of 2000. A return to 80's style, which I'm sure we're seeing more and more, but that's not a bad thing with this CD. It's no longer embarrassing to admit you like 80's music, or colecovision. at the heart of every fad or trend, there is something there that's genuine and real.. but the fad blows up around it, and turns people off. This CD is a return to that radical core of 80's music, the catchy synthy boys and girls retro futuristic pop center. Much better than their first CD, musically and lyrically. This isn't 80's, this is something new and better.