October review : Surkin - USA
It's that time of the month again, time to review (some of) the albums that came out !
The first is the obvious one, Justice - Audio Video Disco.
Let's get something straight before I start talking about the album. The Justice we know from Cross changed a lot, this album is pretty much nothing like their previous work even if we obviously recognize their style. "These guys are the new rock'n'roll" someone once said, well, they heard him.
Maybe it's Xavier's work on Jamaica's album or Gaspard's on Rubber, maybe they just did not want to make a Cross 2.0, maybe they simply wanted to do something they like even if it changes from their "usual" style.
Let's play some music now.
The album starts with Horsepower, a good progressive and powerful track to begin with. It keeps those dark synths Justice are known for but also has this retro rock feeling. Very enjoyable track if you ask me.
Next is Civilization, the track that made everyone know that Justice changed, it's the kind of song that grows on you, Ali Love's voice fits very well with the song. I would have prefered Jessy Chaton, singer from Fancy who gave voice to D.A.N.C.E. (If you don't know Fancy and enjoy 70's rock with a crazy singer, check them out).
What do we have now ? Ohio, the song starts in a strange way, and keeps growing in a weird way in my opinion. Not bad at all but a bit too slow and the melody is really not that good for a Justice track, I don't think the vocals are good either... My least favorite track on the album.
Canon (Primo) is an intro to Canon, not much to say, it's an intro you know.
Canon, now we're talking ! The kind of songs that screams play me louder, that's the new Justice I like, strong drums, good chords... the perfect mix of electro and rock, the downside might be the end of the song, a bit weak. I'm starting to wonder what it will look like to see them live now, will they be playing actual instruments ? Mainly after seeing the Audio Video Disco video.
On'n'On. That perfect song you bought the album for. It has everything Justice has to offer, even the flute (?) who could have ruin the mood feels good. And those lyrics... I don't know who's singing, it's not referenced anywhere that it features someone so it might be Gaspard or Xavier, but damn, I'd like to hear that voice more often.
Brianvision remembers me of Rubber OST a lot, that atmosphere, the whole retro feeling of the song is amazing, it would have been a perfect fit for Rubber... It works great here too anyway so that's not a bad thing.
Parade. Call me geek but it feels like a battle theme from Final Fantasy hooked up with Queen - We Will Rock You and The Beach Boys - God Only Knows. Mind blowing track.
New Lands continues what On'n'On began, the only downside I can find is that without knowing it's from Justice, I would probably not have guessed it. But once you accept the turn they have made, it's an awesome song too, that ending... oh well.
The album ends with two already known songs.
Helix, I love this song, but it has a strange feeling because I first heard it they day DJ Mehdi died so it's always a bit weird to listen to it, especially because I think the vocals sampled would match a lot of Mehdi songs. Anyway, great great song even if my judgement is a bit biased.
Audio, Video, Disco is still what it is, I know a lot of people who don't find it good at all, I for one think it's not as bad as a lot of people tend to say it is.
But wait, why is the track 10 minutes long ? Yup, unnamed bonus track at the end ! Lovely lovely bonus track.
Alright, time to give my opinion about the album itself. While almost every track is good, it does not (and I don't think anything will ever again) have the same power as Cross. Once you accept the fact that it will be more of a 70's rock meets electro album than a Cross 2.0 the album is good, great actually. Fans might be disappointed by it, it's understandable, but it's a good album, with well made tracks and no "old remixes from 2003 renamed to fit in the album".
I'd say good move Justice, everything turned out better than expected even if it lacks of something here and there sadly.
-Here
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