Saturday 27 February 2021

Vogon Poetry's New Album "Deep Thought" Reviewed

Vogon Poetry are a synthpop trio based in Sweden, to date they have released several singles and EP's over the last 8 or 9 years, in addition they have released 3 albums, their debut "Don't Panic" in 2014, "The Prefect Stories" in 2015 and "Life, The Universe And Everything" in 2018 and in late 2020 they released their 4th album "Deep Thought" on the impressive PBH media label.


The band have a strong affinity with science fiction which has been a continuing subject through their releases, check out their video for the track "Dangers Of Space":

https://youtu.be/GAgHgvjlHAs

To the new album...... 

The atmospheric "My Way Out" is the opening track, that has haunting, ghost like commentary over an endearing music backdrop and strong melody line, brilliant vocals cut through the music, a well structured track and shows they have developed their songwriting over the years.

"Passion" is a really strong track and it is no surprise it was released as a single, again really impressive vocals from John, sings with emotion, which is something I like as a music listener, I like how the song develops with its throbbing synth lines and dance beat, fantastic synth sounds on this track too.

"Exposed Thoughts", for me, is one of their greatest ever tracks, pure synthpop, brilliant sequencer lines, a very strong chorus, the music in this track is top class, easy to see why this was released as a single. Everything just fits into place perfectly, the music, the vocals, outstanding.

"Tankar" is a track sung in their native language, Swedish, and has just been released as a 12 track single, which is available here: https://vogonpoetrymusic.bandcamp.com/

The track features some stunning sequencer work, it is a darker sounding track and despite it being sung in Swedish I quite like this song, reminded me of the darker side of Yazoo, strong chorus too.

"Milliways" is a fans favourite, uplifting and synthetic, which ticks all the right boxes for me, and what a chorus, it is mighty fine, the work gone into creating the music is hugely impressive, a superbly produced track and definitely an album highlight.

"Barren Lands" is a thing of beauty, lovely piano intro which quickly evolves into a fast paced track, lovely warm pads and once again John delivers a fantastic vocal, I think he has really improved his vocals over the years, he can certainly add emotion and feeling to the music created and this album sees that partnership hit perfection.

"The Nightflyer" has a sampled vocal intro and sound effects mixed with a Drum and Bass rhythm section with some sequencer melody parts overlaid, its my least favourite track on the album and does seem a little out of place.

"Xenomorph" has a soundtrack feel to it, great atmospheric pads, good use of voice samples, I also like the pulsing bass-line, very science fiction!

The album closes with my favourite single by the band "Changes", absolute perfection from start to finish, beautiful piano and sequencer melodies, I love how the song builds, John is again on top form with his vocals, once again the music backdrop is well thought out, an achingly wonderful chorus, their finest ever recording.

It is obvious that this is an album made by 3 great friends that enjoy making music and they have pushed the boundaries on this album, which results in a very accomplished piece of work they can be very proud of, they have developed their sound and show that they are 3 talented guys when they get into a studio to make music.

In a word I would sum up the album as impressive 8.5/10

By the way I highly recommend you watch their live performance they did online in November last year titled "Vogon Poetry - Live From The Living Room" it encapsulates what Vogon Poetry are all about, it is available on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/IZOQ6AIlFvc

The album "Deep Thought" released on the PBH Media label is available on Bandcamp on CD and as a Digital Download and includes 3 bonus tracks.

https://vogonpoetrymusic.bandcamp.com/album/deep-thought

Find out more about Vogon Poetry by visiting their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/vogonpoetrymusic

Monday 22 February 2021

i-Select #66

White Lion Radio have released edition #66 of i-Select.

This is a series of shows dedicated to electronic/synthpop bands that are unsigned, signed to a small independent label or self release their material. White Lion Radio prides itself on bringing you music which you don't always get access to and to showcase bands and artists that are really very talented and deserve to be heard.

These shows will feature bands from across the globe!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at

Playlist

808 Dot Pop - Gymnopedie No 1
Piston Damp - Loose Ends
Train To Spain - Dreaming Away
Conscience - Whatever I try (New Vocals)
Conny Olivetti - Within The Hour
Mindmodvl - For Everyone
Planet Neil - Outsider
After Dark - Alone (The Voice And The Snake Remix)
Dani Tamayo - Brand New Life (Insight Remix)
Nature Of Wires ft Madil Hardis - Through Someone Else's Eyes
Jamie Jamal - Gone So Quickly Without Goodbye
Psy'Aviah Ft Ellia Bisker - City In Flames (11Grams Club Radio Remix)
Iota Phi - Wolves Mate For Life (Clean Radio Edit)
Blutengel - Nobody's Diary
Lifelong Corporation - Black Tears (Cosmo Mix)
Melanie S Jane - Silver Beam
Eric C. Powell & Andrea Powell - Soul To Your Heart (Icy Blue Mix)
BlakLight - Isolation (People Theatre Asteroid Mix)
Avoid A Void - Until I Paralyze (Seadrake Remix)
MORE - Legacy Of K
Alfonse - Generator
Andrik Arkane - So Scene
Uncreated Ft Mark Hockings - Hand Grenade
Montage Collective - Could Have Been Forever (Album Version)
Pulse Lab - Tears of A Fool
808 Dot Pop - Ultraviolet (Pentatonic)
Black Nail Cabaret - Maelstrom (Single Edit)
Jeff McCall - Goodbye Europa
Sombre View - Bilaga 1
Lifelong Corporation - I'm A Time Traveler
Eno - Heads Up The Beat (Pimp Remix)
This Human Condition - Breaking The Code (Sauerwelt Remix)
Piston Damp - Don't
Train To Spain - Hide & Seek
Sword Collector - Inherit The Scepter
Re-Active - Future’s End (Extended Version)
Conny Olivetti - Angelic Reinforcement
Loewenhertz - Right As Rain (Radio Edit)
Montage Collective - The Blitz Kids (7 Inch)
Ronny - Blue Cabaret
Rusty Egan Presents Ft Chris Payne - Fade To Grey (Blitzed Extended Mix)

Monday 15 February 2021

The Electronic Music Hour #65

Welcome to edition #65 of our series "The Electronic Music Hour", which features some of the best electronic and synthpop music from the last 40 years.

These shows not only include well known artists from the last 4 decades but new and emerging bands on the electronic music scene from around the world, a lot of which are either unsigned, or on a small independent label, or self release their material.

So the shows will feature old and new tracks that fit in the electronic/synthpop genre.

Listen On Mixcloud

Listen On Hearthis.at

Playlist

Kraftwerk - Radioactivity (Francois Kevorkian 7 Inch Remix)
Electric City Cowboys - Tell Me
Electric Youth - Now Now
Erasure - Over The Rainbow
Heaven 17 - Let me Go
Daily Planet - Belong
Soft Cell - Where The Heart Is
Diamond Field & Bob Haro - Won't Compromise
POS:2 - Enjoy Your Life
Howard Jones - Pear In the Shell
Red Sleeping Beauty - Someone Somewhere
Visage - Fade To Grey
A-Ha - Train Of Thought (Remix)
Mechatronic - In Between Days
Pet Shop Boys - An Open Mind

Monday 8 February 2021

Maximum 80s #88

White Lion Radio have released edition # 88 of Maximum 80s.

A show that celebrates the 1980s 12 Inch Single!

The biggest hits in the 12 Inch format from the greatest decade in music history.

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen to the show on Hearthis.at here

Playlist For The Show

Liza Minnelli - Losing My Mind (Extended Remix)
Queen - Radio Ga Ga (Extended Version)
Blancmange - Blind Vision (Long Version)
Alison Moyet - All Cried Out (Extended Version)
Visage - Mind Of A toy (12 Dance Mix)
Break Machine - Street Dance (Vocal 12 Inch Version)
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me (Original 12 Inch)
Spandau Ballet - Communication (12 Inch Version)
Bros - I Owe You Nothing (Club Mix)
The Communards - Tomorrow (Extended 12 Inch Remix)
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (Holier Than Thou Approach)
Kajagoogoo - Too Shy (12 Inch Version)

Monday 1 February 2021

Rubik's 80s Mix #88

Edition #88 of Rubik's 80s Mix is now out on White Lion Radio

This a series of shows that includes the very best in 80s music all in one continuous mix.

The biggest hits from the greatest decade in music history!

A show guaranteed to bring back so many happy memories!

Listen to the show on Mixcloud here

Listen on Hearthis.at here

Playlist

Teardrop Explodes - Reward
Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It)
OMD - Locomotion
Heaven 17 - This Is Mine
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing moon
The Cure - The Caterpillar
Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder - Together In Electric Dreams
Nik Kershaw - The Riddle
Malcolm McLaren - Madam Butterfly
Paul Young - Wherever I Lay My Hat (Thats My Home)
Roberta Flack & Peobo Bryson - Tonight I Celebrate My Love
The Jam - Start!
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Roxy Music - Over you
Jon & Vangelis - I Hear You Now