Synthesizer

This is an excellent return by Information Society. It's the same instrumentation we had heard on their earlier albums, the same samples, etc. In other words, it has that same familiar sound -- warm analog style synths, odd samples, and great beats. Kurt's vocals are just as good as they were 10 years ago; his voice is clear, on-key, and the tone and timbre are a great contrast to the synths -- his voice helps add some organic feel to the music. The combination of male and female vocals on some tracks brings back memories of that first Information Society album, while it also reminds me of Human League. The lyrics, which sound simplistic at times, are quite interesting, about love and life, while taking a different perspective on those topics. They tell a story and they're easy to sing along with. There are some very very VERY catchy choruses, and I find myself singing along after only a couple of days -- simple but catchy, they hook you in.Most of the songs follow a verse/chorus/verse/chorus/break/chorus construction, which is predicatble but also has been part of the InfoSoc formula going back to the 80's. This album has the catchiness and "danceability" of their debut album, with the grittiness of later albums, where Kurt worked mostly alone. There are some tracks that remind me of BT. I believe these tracks will be worked-up by many DJs, but they are already excellent as they are.Best tracks: Baby Just Wants, Back in the Day, I Like the Way You Werk It, Can't Get EnoughThe only problem -- the song titles on the album sleeve for tracks 12 and 13 are switched. Otherwise, the production is excellent. A good outing by InfoSoc.

Paul Robb has long been my favorite songwriter. He seems to have this uncanny ability to write lyrics and melodies that evoke heartfelt emotion. His music successfully explores isolation and alienation and longing with some of the most beautiful synthesizer instrumentation ever recorded. As far as I'm concerned, Information Society is unique; too often they've been compared to Kraftwerk or New Order or Depeche Mode or Human League or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. In fact, Information Society serves up a distinct sound that can't be easily categorized. Sometimes you get funk. Sometimes you get hip hop. Sometimes you get industrial. Sometimes you get pop. As more time passes, Information Society will be increasingly recognized as one of the great classic experimental electronic bands. This new release has enough variety to please almost anybody. "Run Away" is hauntingly beautiful. Of course, Information Society would not be Information Society without Kurt Harland and Jim Cassidy who have also returned to the band. This latest release appears to have already landed in the top ten in Germany. So it would seem this is big. Really big. Welcome back, Information Society!

I have thought everything INSOC has come up with has been great. Even the much "hacked" on CD by Kurt DBA. This CD is for all the fans that hated DBA and wanted the INSOC of old. However, I don't know what some of the other reviewers have been smoking but Kurt only sings on 1 song on this whole CD. SEEDS of PAIN. Read the liner!! The new singer (at last I checked Kurt is back singing full time) sounds great and there is not much of vocal style difference between the two. I would say this is one of the best CDs of the year so far. Taking the best of the old and fusing it with some new elements to create something wonderful!!!

As a huge fan of Information Society I was elated to see Synthesizer released, and after several listens, I heartily recommend this album to any InSoc fan, but there are a couple of things you should know - Kurt Harland Larson, the enigmatic lead of InSoc, only sings on the track entitled "The Seeds of Pain" and otherwise, Paul Robb and the rest of the group are back together with a new lead, Christopher Anton. Anton sings fairly well, and in the style of Larson, but a close listen and you can hear the difference - not that Anton is a poor singer, but just not quite Larson. Obviously the 'creative differences' that originally broke up the group and lead to a practically solo Larson effort 'Don't Be Afraid' still haunt them, as the group is not truly back together in this effort. Still, this is a solid album, and a must have for any InSoc fan with smatterings of 'Peace and Love, Inc.' and 'Hack' and a couple of new, more dance-driven, Moby-esque tracks. (Note: The MP3 samples here on Amazon do not do this album justice)

"Synthesizer" is classic Information Society, and any fan of the band will find much to love about the songs here. I was surprised to find this 2007 release, as I had not thought the band was still recording; but I am certainly glad to have it in my collection, and enjoy the music very much!

This CD really does take over where P&L, Inc left off (not DBA since that album really was a one off of a whole other genre). Despite this CD being release in 2007, I was instantly taken back to the synth club days of the late 80's and early 90's. The songs don't miss a beat at being incredibly retro. The only disappointment was that the lyrics were VERY predictable, but this was almost a blessing in disguise as I found myself singing along after only one listen.