Page – Start (CD EP – Energy Rekords)
Genre/Influences: Synth-pop.
Background/Info: Swedish Page formation remains one of the oldest synth-pop formations active in their homeland. Set up in 1980 the band finally stopped all activities in 2000 till core members Marina Schiptjenko (synthesizer) and Eddie Bengtsson (vocals and synthesizer) reactivated the group in 2010. They released a few new albums plus maxi’s and “Start” is their latest production featuring 3 new songs plus one remix.
Content: Page hasn’t really changed their sound formula over the years. And there’s no reason to as the music remains influenced by the good-old synth-pop vibes from the 80s. Totally vintage like and with this particularity they always have sung in their Mother tongue, Page remains devoted to pure and magic electronic music. ‘Pure’ because of the deep, resonating bass lines, sweeping effects plus catchy song structures and ditto choruses and ‘magic’ because of the analogue equipment creating this unique sound sensation.
Next to the new songs there’s also a remix by Apoptygma Berzerk from a& song released at their last album.
+ + + : The opening song (title song) moves crescendo gaining a solid end and revealing all writing skills of the duo. It all stands for the sound of Page, which remains animated by this retro-touch the band has never abandoned. This kind of music has nothing new and yet it still has this refreshing touch, contemporary synth-pop bands can’t compete with. The remix of “Krasch” by Apoptygma Berzerk is also a noticeable cut.
– – – : The main strength of Page probably also is their only weakness. The band never innovates and simply composes like they’ve always done.
Conclusion: Page remains warrant for qualitative electro-pop; pure retro-like, but damned efficient.
Best songs: “Start”, “Stör Ej”, “Krasch – Apoptygma Berzerk Redux”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.facebook.com/PageElektroniskPop / www.facebook.com/eddie.bengtsson.5 / www.facebook.com/marina.schiptjenko
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