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The Fabric
Man vs. Prototype

Undo Recordings

Posted: Friday, April 25, 2008
By: Matthew Johnson
Features Editor

Though very much in the spirit of classic electro-pop artists, The Fabric isn't quite a retro act. They're very much willing to incorporate contemporary electro elements in their music, and producer Sharaab, who has also released Asian Underground-style techno tracks as a solo artist, brings a contemporary breakbeat touch to "Never Believe," which also includes an understated electric guitar line. "Simplify" likewise features nods to present tastes; despite its analog keyboards, the treatment on the programmed beats is simply too bass-heavy to be mistaken for an '80s artifact. Still, the emphasis on Man vs. Prototype is on keyboard melodies and soulful vocals, not flashy programming or studio techniques. Lead singer Joe Sikes has a tender, almost boyish singing style, sensitive but confident, that vaguely recalls Erasure's Andy Bell or even a young Dave Gahan, back in the early days before Depeche Mode got so insufferably depressive. His crooning tenor brings a sense of sincerity to such tracks as "Demented" and "Zero" that starkly contrasts with the more disaffected approach prevalent in so much of today's synthpop. Likewise, keyboardist and programmer Jeremy Frank, who used to play with Sikes in Atlanta, Georgia act ODK, brings a classic electro-pop sound to his new project as well, with plenty of vintage analog tones on "Everlasting" and a lead piano melody on "Motorized" that helps draw more attention to the synthesized rhythm patches. Despite its more modern techno qualities, Man vs. Protoype is geared for listening, perhaps even singing along, rather than dancing. Sharaab and Frank's beats propel things surely but slowly, giving Sikes plenty of room to let his voice fill each song with emotional impact. Fans of the more trance and techno-infused futurepop acts might dismiss this as a little dated, but The Fabric's refusal to cater to the latest club fashions just helps draw attention to the songs themselves.