PAINBASTARD SKIN ON FIRE ALBUM ACCESSION RELEASE: AUGUST 29, 2003 REVIEW: OCTOBER 15, 2003

Do you like hard beats and distorted vocals? I certainly do, and therefore it is with a happy and satisfied smile I can tell you that Painbastard's debut album "Skin on Fire" is true and plain pleasure. Alex P has created an interesting blend of body and futurepop, providing the music with an individual touch. It is not every day you get the feeling that a band has managed to find its own way, but Painbastard really has something special. It might be because Alex P has broadened the musical pallet and dares to mix old body-beats with futurepop tunes. It might as well be because of the fact that his voice has more capacity than most vocalists today.
One of the things that I appreciate most, is that each song has a clear start and ending - something that is not always the case in the fade-out hysteria of today. The song I like best is track four, "All Rights Reserved". It is one of the most poppy songs on the album, but I really like the rhythms that Alex has combined with typical futurepop tunes and his seductive voice. Even on the slow tracks, Alex P has managed to keep a more or less uniform sound.
Painbastard is quite likely a band that we will hear more of in the future, at least on the dancefloors. And on my stereo.

KARIN MARTINSSON