Lederman / De Meyer – Eleven Grinding Songs (DCD Album – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: EBM, body-pop, experimental.
Background/Info: Earlier this year we discover the surprising duo Jean-Marc Lederman – Jean-Luc De Meyer joining hands for this common project and the debut EP “A Tribe Of My Own”. Both electronic dyno’s belong to the history of EBM and I think it’s not that necessary to remind you of bands they were, or still are involved with like Front 242 and The Weathermen. But Lederman / De Meyer is their first common project.
Content: I wasn’t totally convinced by the EP, but this album gives a more explicit overview. Both artists mix pure EBM elements with some dark-pop elements. I also noticed heavy, orchestral arrangements, bombastic blasts and a real taste for experimentation.
I can’t say that the album is totally old-school like, but there’s an interesting and noticeable sound research, which was the essence of early electronic artists.
The bonus disc reveals an interesting twist between remixes and extra songs. After the already familiar cover version of Fad Gadget’s “Back To Nature” (released on the EP and regular CD edit) they here again covered Frank Tovey with the song “State Of The Nation”.
+ + + : Both artists didn’t really need a new challenge, but you can feel a real passion for music and maybe a way to incite young musicians to get more creative. This album is hardly comparable to other formations although it sounds electronic and sometimes even EBM-like. I like this approach and the diversity this album has been achieved by. The production is also interesting for its bombast and somewhat orchestral arrangements, which create a perfect twist with De Meyer’s growling timbre of voice. Among the new cuts I especially want to mention “Flowers And Birds And Bees” and “Dots, Circles And Lines”, which clearly are potential dancefloor pieces.
The bonus disc also reveals several interesting cuts. Next to a few outstanding remixes (and I here again have to mention the already familiar remix of Seb Komor), and also a great contribution by Peter Rainman and J. Wolf.
– – – : From a very personal point of view, “A Tribe Of My Own” wasn’t maybe the best song to introduce Lederman / De Meyer, but the album has much more exciting songs to reveal.
Conclusion: Lederman / De Meyer clearly appears to be a winning duo and I honestly didn’t expect something other, but I’m wondering if this album will remain a one-shot project or if they’ll renew the experience for a second opus.
Best songs: “Flowers And Birds And Bees”, “Dots, Circles And Lines”, “A Tribe Of My Own”, “I Wish We Could I Hope We Will” + “A Tribe Of My Own – Sebastian Komor Remix”, “Back To Nature – Peter Rainman vs. JML Remix”, “A Tribe Of My Own – J. Wolf Remix”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Ledermandemeyer
Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix
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