ASSEMBLAGE 23
STORM
ALBUM METROPOLIS (USA), ACCESSION (EUROPE) RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 REVIEW: OCTOBER 27, 2004

More of the same might be the best way to describe Tom Shear’s latest effort ”Storm”. We know what to expect by now, and we get it. Competently produced, danceable beats and songs that enters your mind and have a hard time letting go. Unfortunately you also get Tom’s monotone, dry and miserable voice, which drags things down. He has a tendency to end all sentences by going down on a minor note, thus upping the “sadness” factor, but also my annoyance factor.
However “Storm” is way better than “Defiance” musicwise in my opinion, and should keep Assemblage 23 in the top area of the electro-/futurepop genre for a while longer. Even though this CD contains nothing new whatsoever. But keep an eye out for the closing track “30kft”, an out of character, slow, beautiful and very sad piece that ends the album nicely.

JOHAN CARLSSON

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