PSYCHE
BABYLON DELUXE
ALBUM ACCESSION RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 REVIEW: OCTOBER 15, 2003

Psyche started in Canada before there was a Skinny Puppy. Now, we find them creating more of the recent familiar collaborations they've been expected to do. Talented music meister Remi Szyszka is really getting into his own groove here as he's also taken over the production duties on Psyche's tenth album, "Babylon Deluxe". Psyche's mission for full driving synth beats is accomplished here.
Opener "The Quickening", which is the lead single, is a straight-forward pop song much like "Gods and Monsters". "X-Rated" features guest vocalist Ms Poly-ester in what is a blended vintage retro electropop track with reminders of Trans-X and The Normal making a danceable track.
Coming of age "Edge of 17", comes across with harsher pop beats but works nicely as Darrin's sharp vocals are never dull. "Nobody Superstar" brings on stark electro beats as the experimental "Snow Garden" includes more structure. "Sacrement" is one of the slower tracks along with "Equinoxe" and "Stormtrooper". The blooming technopop track "Final Destination" shows us the polish on Darrin's Doc Martens. At "Babylon Deluxe"'s end we find the winding instrumental "Nighthawk Theme" peaking with hints of the Donna Summer disco era.
North American buyers can purchase a limited edition CD with bundled "The Quickening" MCD.

ALEX VERONAC

AD