Music from Europe: Neanderthal (by Spleen United)

"Neanderthal"
(2008, Copenhagen Records)

by Spleen United
from Copenhagen/Aarhus, Denmark

indie / electro / rock / pop
in English

selected by  

PROMO TRACKS:
[ video ]  My Tribe

On their second album, the five piece Copenhagen/Aarhus band Spleen United evolves their dark Depeche Mode/Kraftwerk/Joy Division-evoking synthesizer based rock towards the light with clear inspiration from 90’s not-very-respected-among-critics dance acts such as 2 Unlimited, Technotronic, and Faithless. This means shorter, more upbeat and happier songs, but still much better than most dance music from the 90’s. In addition, the opening song "Suburbia" yells ”Pet Shop Boys” in the listener’s face. Not only because of the recycling of the song title but also because of the insisting keyboard line and the extremely danceable tune. After that, the single “My Tribe” follows, a more classic synth rock song, a genre, that Spleen United are fully capable of creating songs in. The nonchalant and laid back “Failures” once again reminds the listener of Lowe & Tennant, and “66” follows in the same vein and at the same time, it is a good example of Spleen United’s faculty of creating sharp lyrics: “In my youth I used to rage / In my youth I used to dream of age” is one among many catchy choruses. The dark and intense “Under The Sun” – the song most reminiscent of the style of the first Spleen United album – could have been the perfect closure of a great album, but the guys show that they have a sense of humour in finishing the album with the rave-like, hectic “My Jungle Heart”. A little step away from the overall style conscious attitude on the expectations-satisfying album number two from one of Denmark’s best keyboard rock outfits. By the way, the album is produced by the American Michael Patterson, well known for producing and/or mixing big international acts like Black Rebel Motorcycle, Beck, Notorious B.I.G, P. Diddy, and Jennifer Lopez. // Kristian Bach Petersen

Release Info: Release date 21 January 2008, label: Copenhagen Records (no distribution outside Denmark so far)

LINKS:
Spleen United's official web site: http://www.spleenunited.dk
Spleen United on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/spleenutd

     

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