RAINDANCER RESPONSE ALBUM A DIFFERENT DRUM RELEASE: SEPTEMBER, 2007 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

I would like to think that Thomas Sandberg and Erik Skalin of Raindancer picked up on my desperate plea for a refreshed version of the early demo track "Sandman" in my review of their debut album "Audio". Either way, here it is, in all its dance floor glory, now sporting slightly different lyrics and a whole new arsenal of electronic sounds. It is, however, only one little nugget on this gold mine of an album called "Response".

Sandberg was always a brilliant musician and when paired with Skalin's bombastic vocals sparks fly. Moving slightly away from the most frantic dance beats, "Response" better displays the hooks and infectious melodies present in all of the tracks. This is still an album for the dance floor, no doubt, but it has a distinct pop appeal as well, making it a perfect clubby cocktail of synthpop and melodic techno. Opener "Trust Again" may very well be the best dance monster the duo have mustered so far, "Perfect Balance" is just cool beyond belief and "Get What We Deserve" a beautiful contrast of pounding beats and an insanely catchy chorus. Not to mention the two tracks finishing the album off, "The Rise and the Fall" and "The Journey", both of which boost the album even further towards the stars.

"Response" feels more dynamic and updated than "Audio" and holds enough hooks and super choruses to turn most bands of the genre into green-eyed monsters. Dare I suggest a renovated version of another demo favourite, "Heart Still Beating", for the next release?

NIKLAS FORSBERG