Released
1999
Label
Metropolis
Reviewed by
Karine
Visit
Metropolis Records
Visit
Imperative Reaction
Last Edit/Update
28 June, 1999
Imperative Reaction
Eulogy for the Sick Child
Track Listing
1. Scorpio
2. The Longing(for Detachment)
3. Forced
4. Compressed/Terror
5. Flatline
6. The Sick Child
7. The Settling/Flight
8. Syntax
9. Overcast
10. Predicate
11. OutObsolete/Vision
OK, I have to say I'm a bit biased about this album. I have been watching Imperative Reaction perform live on a regular basis for over a year now seeing as I, like Dave and Ted, call the LA area home. Because of my frequent attendance at their live shows, I've been familiar with their music and watched them grow as artists since they started. Because of my familarity with their style and their songs, the album and its contents weren't a surprise to me, so this is my chance to promote this band that utterly oozes talent and possesses a unique sound that appeals to all who like electro music.
Their debut album is a stunning acheivement of dark, foreboding electro, with some light, almost synth-pop like songs thrown in. It is almost as if on these more synth-pop songs, Ted and Dave were simply exploring their musical avenues, with much success. The majority of this album, while shrouded in dark themes, is a heavy, noisy release that is very club-friendly. The use of samples from various movies as well as the yummy textured synth riffs add to the brilliance of Eulogy. The first track, "Scorpio", starts off the album with a vengeance, providing a heavy beat and harsh vocals that at once drew me into the album, and made me anxious to hear more. My favorite track is "The Longing(for Detachment)," with its awesome synth patterns and unique, harsh rhythms. "Syntax" is a more EBM-oriented, almost synth-pop song that combines a melodic bassline, stinging vocals and a strong beat, making it a very popular club song(at least in the California scene). This is one of the rare albums that someone can put in their CD player, and not have to skip from track to track looking for a good song. They're all good. I highly recommend that for ANYONE into the darker side of electro music, or for anyone who just wants an overall good CD to listen to, from beginning to end(all biases put aside), Imperative Reaction is it.
