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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Glasgow's Bis tweak their indie pop quirkiness on their fourth album, Return to Central, and it's a desirable and funkadelic feel-good mix of Bis' signature disco hooks and thick pop beats. Surely their most ambitious release, Bis shrug off their post-pubescent punk-pop snarlings and kiddie chants found on The New Transistor Heroes and Intendo and make Return to Central a vibrant twist in their Teen-C Revolution. Manda Rin tames her little girl rants for something sassy, tossing all criticism aside to transcend into electronic bliss. She and Bis cohorts John Disco and Sci-Fi Steve frolic with new wave synth breaks, and let their fondness for Talk Talk, New Order, and Can be known. Bis isn't consumed with angst for the music follower, for they'd rather spiral into club land in their own musical mystery. Return to Central allows Bis to relish in their fun and self-indulgence without them being regarded as snotty indie punks. A sophistication is cast, spawning Bis' bold move from "Kandy Pop." --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bis leave punk-pop snark for something like sweep, April 18, 2002

By	Eric Wahl (Bozeman, MT, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teen-C power grows up, October 3, 2001

By	B. De Gregorio "pretentious geologist" (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woah..., December 6, 2001

By	"bisdude2001" (Sunnyvale, California United States) - See all my reviews

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!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the all-time best albums
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". Read more

Published 12 months ago by DJMEC

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow
The difference between this and Social Dancing: Social Dancing is highly offbeat pop with an inescapably cultural influence. Read more

Published on June 7, 2005 by Darrell Wong

3.0 out of 5 stars Return To Something Else
Despite moderate critical success and subsequent backlash in the mid-nineties, Bis has lately received most of its attention for its theme to the Powerpuff Girls. Read more

Published on November 29, 2003 by superball9

4.0 out of 5 stars like the Spice Girls, except good
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. Read more

Published on June 29, 2002 by Jemiah Jefferson

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't know what to expect--I was very pleasantly surprised!
I bought this album after hearing "Silver Spoon" played several times on my local cable alternative music channel. Read more

Published on March 12, 2002 by Craig Larson

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Departure from the Obvious
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... Read more

Published on November 2, 2001 by Colin Paterson

5.0 out of 5 stars here it is!
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. Read more

Published on October 26, 2001 by Martin Prehn

1.0 out of 5 stars miss this bis
As a long-time bis fan I found this disc to be a huge disappointment. I've listened to this disc again and again and again hoping to 'get it' but I just don't like the new,... Read more

Published on October 17, 2001 by Johnny F. Chicago

5.0 out of 5 stars Teen-C Power to the next level
From their ranchy, wild, candy-coated scene bis has now evolved into a stronger, more dominant and profound band of new sound and sophisication. Read more

Published on September 23, 2001 by Katikuno

4.0 out of 5 stars Teen-c power to the next level
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... Read more

Published on September 20, 2001 by Katikuno

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