AUTO AUTO SOUNDS OF A NEW GENERATOR ALBUM SUBSTREAM RELEASE: SEPTEMBER, 2005 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

Auto-Auto are Erik and Johan, who along with Philip Linne created Auto-Auto as a multi-art project (based around music and live graphics). Their sound incorporates darkly-tinged synthpop (even dipping into the industrial and electro genres at times). They were the first band to be signed to Substream (an innovative new online music label and community based in Sweden, but globally active), so a lot is to be said of this venture. But how does the music bear up?

The album "Sounds of a New Generator" has some good moments, but maybe doesn't live up to the potential of their musical creation. Unfortunately half the album is made up of slowish tracks that aren't so aurally stimulating. "Harmageddon" is a happy exception; one of the slower tracks that does pull some weight.

The CD does have its moments though; "Backstabber"'s hardness certainly hits you between the shoulder blades, while "Switchblade" uses risque lyrics to achieve the same result. Of extra note are "Duma" and "Killing Killing Evelyn", the former incorporating great electronics in this more up-tempo number; the latter being possibly the highlight of the set, through its creation of an intriguing sonic-soundscape.

A decent album, but not really much more than that. An exciting live prospect though, I feel, especially as one-third of the creation is visual. So hopefully the album live will make sense of that missing third element.

MIKE WHYTE