NEUES KOMBINAT A.I. - ARTIFICIAL INNOCENCE ALBUM INTELLIGENT COMMUNICATIONS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 25, 2005 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 23, 2005

Neues Kombinat, if you believe the hype, are what must be one of the first electronic music family acts, with the members reaching as young as three years old! With all family members receiving band credits though it is hard to dismiss this idea. So what is the sound of “familytronica”?
On the whole, the tracks could be considered “easy”; nothing is too noisy or harsh - the general vibe is lazily poppy, the sounds generally quite “clean” electronics with crisp synth lines and snappy cymbals. The general feel of the album is jolly and laidback, with nice production that allows space for all the instruments to breathe as would probably befit a band with two post-toddlers as members!
There are some nicely put-together tracks here though - displaying some interesting facets of electronic rhythms, sometimes quite off-kilter structurally, with slightly going out of tune synths, yet still on the whole managing to stay true to their poppy roots.
I can’t imagine that there will be too much fuss around this album (a shame really), as it is hard to imagine what market they are aiming to appeal to. Having said that this is could be seen as the musical equivalent of a coffee table magazine, something you don’t mind having on show when the family comes round to visit, as it is non-offensive, easy on the ear, and with enough invention to keep you listening.
Overall then, not so out of the ordinary to stand out, but not that bad either - something you could quite easily listen to and enjoy for what it is - a rather nice electronic music album.

MIKE WHYTE