Released
1998

Label
Metropolis

Reviewed By
Karine

Contact
Metropolis


Last Edit/Update
01 May, 1999

Cleen

Designed Memories

Track Listing

1. Believe
2. Freezeout
3. For All of Us
4. Smoking Enemy?(Ext. Instrumental)
5. Believe(Edit)
6. For All of Us(Dubventure '96)
7. Did You Forget?(Demoversion)
8. Shadowbox(Outro)

    I was a little bit hesitant about listening to this album, for fear that this Haujobb side project would pick up where Haujobb's last album, Matrix left off. My fears were all erased as soon as I put the disc in and pressed play; Cleen is a new and fresh sound for Daniel Myer and Thorsten Meier, and one I really enjoyed.

    Of course, I had Haujobb-like expectations for this album, who wouldn't? In my experience, I've noticed that when a band starts a side project, they incorporate too much of their original sound, making their new project just an extension of the original band. Cleen does not do that. With this first relase, they establish themselves as a strong force in electro music today. They experiment with vast layering and original soundscapes that has little or no relationship to their prior work with Haujobb. The album begins with "Believe", a lifting electro track that combines smooth vocals with a crisp, melodic sound I found to be extremely addicting. The entire album goes uphill from there, peaking with the track "Did You Forget?", a pounding aggressive dance track that, since listening to this album, I have heard in clubs frequently, and ending with "Shadowbox", a haunting EBM tune that brings the album to a close that left me wanting more. The only negative thing about this album was that it only has eight tracks; I would have liked to hear more...but seeing as Cleen will soon be releasing a full-length album, it gives me something to look forward to. A definate must for DJs and fans of original sounding electro.