Synthetik FM is the music project of Bobby Clark, who is based in Knoxville, Tennessee in the states, his influences are clearly 1980s synthpop and New Wave and the new album titled "Underground 80s - Volume 1" (work on volume 2 has already started) is what we are reviewing. The album features his electronic takes on a wide range of 80s artists and he has teamed up with vocalists from all over the world, the interesting thing about this release, is the fact he has chosen some lesser know hits, including music by John Foxx, Robert Palmer, Camouflage, Giorgio Moroder and Captain Sensible, alongside some classic tracks originally recorded by Tears For Fears, Kraftwerk, China Crisis, Modern Talking and more!
The album opens with a refreshing take on the Kraftwerk track "Pocket Calculator", I am a massive Kraftwerk fan and this version is superbly put together, it has been given a modern overhaul with some excellent voice parts, the mix also features sounds heard on Kraftwerk's original.
"Brother Louie", was a very successful single by Modern Talking and the version on this album stays pretty close to the original, it captures the energy of the original and the synth sounds are exceptional, especially those orchestra stabs, a wonderful version of a very popoular song from the 1980s.
I must admit I never anticipated to hear a Captain Sensible track on this album, but that is one of the interesting things about this album, some of the choices are left of centre, and I say that in a positive way, the electronic re-working of "Wot" is fabulous and the vocals are brilliant, the fusion of synths and vocals are just perfect.
The cover of the Giorgio Moroder track "From Here To Eternity" is mindblowing, the disco elements of the original have been brilliantly reproduced....I would love to hear a cover of Donna Summers "I Feel Love"! A flawless re-creation of the music and vocals. A 5 1/2 minute disco romp! The attention to detail of these cover versions is remarkable.
I have to confess the track "Will You Be There" had me stumped, it isn't a track I have heard before and had no idea who did the original version, searching online proved a nightmare because the only results I got were from Michael Jackson's track of the same name! I stuck with it and finally discovered that it was originally recorded by Celebrate The Nun and my word Synthetik FM's version is a mirror image of the original, an amazing cover and the track is excellent, it's catchy and upbeat, brilliant track! I did say that the album included some obscure 80s tracks!
Tears For Fears 80s output was definitely big for me and I'm so pleased to hear a version of "Change", excellent sequencers and a throbbing beat and the vocals are a very close match to the original, I like the atmospheric synth in the track, the other key thing for me is the fact that the version contained here is a dance re-work, definitely a more upbeat version.
"Wishful Thinking" is oustanding, those synths that play the main hook are devine and add atmosphere to the track, nice punchy rhythm and once again the vocal is staggeringly close to the original version, an incredible rendition of China Crisis' biggest hit, one of my favourite tracks on the album.
The atmospheric theme continues on "I Hope I Never", wonderful synth pad sounds that sway, a beautiful rendition of the track originally recorded by Split Enz, excellent vocal too as it isn't an easy track to sing, I love that middle 8 section of the song, I think I only ever heard the original version once or twice and this is a superb cover.
"Images Of Heaven" is another song that fits into the more obscure cover versions on this album, I have never heard the original version before, recorded by Peter Godwin and I listened to the version on this album before listening to the original on YouTube, the version contained here is better than the original, more depth and stronger soundwise, it is superbly produced as is the whole album.
Next we have a cover of the Dead Or Alive track "Turn Around And Count 2 Ten" and it packs a punch, definitelty has the energy of the original, superb music and strong vocal, defintely captures THAT 80s sound, another brilliant cover.
"Johnny And Mary" was originally recorded by Robert Palmer and Featured on his album "Clues" an album I bought back in 1980 because it included a version of the Gary Numan track "I Dream Of Wires"! The version captures the spirit of the original so has that driving bass-line and the synth sounds, another impressive version of one of my favourite Robert Palmer songs.
Next we have a cover of a fabulous track originally recorded by Camouflage, "Love Is A Shield" and it has been superbly replicated here, with once again, the vocals really close to the original, the sounds have more depth and attention to detail has to be admired.
I am so delighted that a John Foxx cover version of "Europe After The Rain" has been recorded for this album, the original is brilliant and John is one of my favourite artists so I know his music and have to say this is a stunning version, brilliant rhythm, atmospheric pads, the original was quite organic soundwise this is a more electronic version and it certainly works really well, another big favourite for me.
The album closes with a cover version of "Lost And Memorized" by Cee Farrow, a song I have never heard before and I love it, really clean sound and again I prefer this version as there is more to it compared to the original, it's a wonderful track and I must delve into the music catalogue of Cee Farrow.
What we have here are 14 superbly produced versions of a wide range of 80s tracks and is a joy to listen too from start to finish, what is appealing is the choice of tracks, to take on the more obscure tracks takes guts and it has paid off big time, a quite stunning album that will be on heavy rotation, the music is exceptional and the vocal talents across all the tracks is to be admired.
As for Bobby, clearly a gifted musician and I would also like to mention Michael Kauzlarich aka X-Sonic, of Johnson City in Tennessee, whom Bobby first worked with back in 2013 when remixing a couple of tracks for him, as in addition to doing vocals on two songs, he mixed and engineered about 98% of the album and has done an exceptional job.
I and I cannot wait for volume 2!!
10/10 A flawless album!
The album will be released on September 7th and is available on CD and as a Digital Download via Bandcamp and White Lion Radio listeners can get themselves a discount of 10% by using the code "lion80" at the checkout:
https://synthetikfm.bandcamp.com/album/wot
You can connect to Synthetik FM on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/synthetikfm
Enjoy the music & Remixes of Synthetik FM on Reverbnation here:
https://www.reverbnation.com/synthetikfm/songs
Find out more about X-Sonic here:
https://x-sonic.com/
