This Philadelphia quartet’s debut is really rather good.
Once past the heavy industrial monotonous pulses of the opener, more coherent and catchy song structures emerge and things start to lighten up.
There’s an early 80s British new wave, synth-driven feel that engages and at times is even danceable. The influences are obvious—Joy Division, particularly on the gloomy ‘Heaven Was Full’, early Human League electronica, and the uplifting hooks and rhythms of New Order as on the title track.
So this is derivative, but also strangely refreshing of this genre—the use of both male and echo-laden female vocal leads adding extra spice to the mix.
[etRating value=“ 3.5”]
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