List | V/A | 'Shot v2.0' CD 1994

'An October Compilation'

Track:	Name:	Artist:	Time:
1.	Anything Higher	Kiethevez	3:35
2.	Against The Tide	Sombre View	4:00
3.	Beloved Again	Laura Effect	4:05
4.	A Lost Samaritan	Esrange	3:44
5.	Cosmic Influence	Children Within	4:20
6.	If You Were Here	Vision System	3:28
7.	Invocation	Sombre View	4:23
8.	Friends	Kiethevez	4:28
9.	First Page	Vision System	3:11
10.	Repulsion	Esrange	4:37
11.	The Obvious Truth Communication Mix	Children Within	6:35
12.	Dress	Laura Effect	3:30
	Total		49:56

Comments:

This is a compilation of new Swedish synth pop bands from October Records which, if I'm not completely mistaken, is run by Dennis Berggren of Laura Effect. The idea is great; instead of taking one song from twelve different bands (which usually means you get a lot of crappy bands as fillers) they've taken two songs from a smaller group of bands. However, as I heard from Anders of Esrange (now Estrange), most of these songs are in fact demo versions, which might explain some less-than-perfect material. Here's a short review, track by track:

Naturally, Kiethevez stands out as the most well-produced band, but this may well be because this first song is taken directly off their album Three Empty Words, whereas the others are mainly demos. Anyway, it's a great synth pop song, not unlike their other material which could be compared to Mobile Homes, Camouflage or De/Vision. Great vocals.

Speaking of vocals, this is where most of the bands on this album fail; track 2 by Sombre View is no exception. The tune is a rather upbeat yet melancholic orchestra-type piece, not at all bad, but the male vocals doesn't really make it all the way; mostly in tune, but too weak. The female vocals are perhaps a bit too angelic and thin, but it's a nice touch, since most synth pop bands tend to have male vocals only.

Track 3 is more slow, and with a somewhat whiney voice with a clear Swedish accent. Call me picky, but that's really something I can't stand. More on that later. On to track 4, which is a ballad-ish type slow song with nice soft arrangement. It's a good tune, but unfortunately the vocals are too thin.

On to track 5, of which I can say plenty. I'll try to be brief, though. It's a waste. Sure, the tune's good and catchy, the sounds synthetic and nice, but ARRRGH - the vocals! It doesn't matter how good the rest is when the vocals and lyrics are this bad. Misuse of the English language (bad translation perhaps?), horribly Swedish pronounciation that gives me flashbacks to junior high school English classes etc. Many people seem to be really into this band; I suppose it's because of their damn catchy songs. I just can't stand them myself due to the vocals. Maybe it's just me being picky.

The following track comes as a relief with a lot better vocals, albeit a bit thin and whiney. Well, maybe the whiney part comes with the theme of the song; it's a very slow and minimalistic wishful-thinking sort of song, making me think of some guy sitting all alone in a dark room thinking about some girl he wish he had.

Back again to Sombre View on track 7, and it's pretty much in the same style as their other song on this compilation, perhaps a little bit faster and less orchestra type sounds. Following that is Kiethevez, with one of their weaker songs; I could very well imagine this being a single B-side or something. It's not bad, but not as good as their other stuff. However, right after that comes one of the highlights of this compilation; another song by Vision System. This one is more upbeat, but the atmosphere is basically the same. The vocals are less whiney as well, and the tune is very catchy and hummable. A good song.

In competition with that about being the best song on the compilation is the next one, the second from Esrange. Again, a slow dark song, with some near-perfect synth lines (like that bass fill in the second verse), good melody and heaps of emotion. Again, the vocals are a bit thin, but when a song is this good I may overlook that. It sends chills down my spine. It does take a while to get into this song, perhaps six or seven times, but it's worth it.

In sharp contrast with the excellent Esrange track comes track 11, which is a rather seemingly uninspired remix of a Children Within track. Most of the melody seems to be stripped away (which is bad), but all the vocals are gone (which is good). I tend to skip this track (as I do with the other CW track as well, but for other reasons).

As the last track of this CD, Laura Effect returns with a song that's quite a lot better than their other one; slow hip-hop-ish beats and simple catchy melodies. One minus is the whiney vocals again.

In conclusion, the bands of this compilation that best suited my taste turned out to be Kiethevez (hardly surprising), Esrange and Vision System. Most bands should work more on their vocals though; in particular vocal strength and pronounciation. This is where they lack the most, Kiethevez being almost the only exception.

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