BIS
MUSIC FOR A STRANGER WORLD
MINIALBUM WILIJA, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: JUNE 17, 2000 REVIEW: AUGUST 4, 2000

Tremendously bored with today's massive revival of almost every aspect of the eighties, I can't do anything but sigh as I listen to the thievery of Glasgow trio Bis. In this case the victim is old synthpopper Gary Numan, whose sound is everywhere on their current minialbum "Music for a Stranger World". And apart from ripping him off, Bis have very little in common with the visions and originality of Numan.
But even if rather catchy tunes like "Dead Wrestlers" and "How Can We Be Strange?" are potent floorfillers; there is one very important ingredient that is missing. It's called soul and is what (hopefully) separates the immortal from the many mayflies. And Bis are at their best a mayfly, using their fifteen minutes sliding down-hills with fellow kid-musicians Republica, Pop Star Kids, Shampoo and the EBM-Spice Girls Chicks on Speed. Though, you've got to be amazed by not the female, but male vocalist. I've never heard anyone - and I've heard quite many attempts - come so close when imitating the voice of David Gahan. Just listen to "Dead Wrestlers" - very uncanny…

ERIK ALMGREN