REVIEWS

Replicant featuring Marc Almond
Face Control E.P.

Beauty Case UK

Posted: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
By: Ilker Yucel
Editor

With Face Control, Kinky Roland, the man behind Replicant, has certainly shown his affinity for the '80s electro/new wave scene with his special blend of retro dance sequences and synthpop melodies. Having worked with Boy George on his "The Twin" project, Roland has assembled an EP that is like a trip down memory lane, but seen through modern eyes. With Marc Almond, the voice of Soft Cell, on vocals, and Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Replicant covers the classic Laura Brannigan song, "Self Control" with great '80s techno energy. Pulsating synth lines atop thumping electro beats; it's not only the perfect dance hit, but also almost a completely new song; the realization that it's a cover barely kicks in until the chorus melody and the ooh-ooh-ooh refrain. Next is another cover of sorts, a reworking of Almond's song, "Fur." With a techno bass line that just screams '80s disco, Almond's vocals have never sounded sexier. The guitars on this and "Too Damn Beautiful" are conservative, but effective, adding the slightest bit of texture and keeping the groove going. Despite their greater presence on the final track, they are hardly oppressive, keeping it totally grounded in synthpop. Almond's lyrics in the final track, while subtly humorous, might also be taking as tab at the style-over-substance attitude of the '80s and its effect on today's music scene; with lyrics like, "Wake up, this is the 21st Century / I've gotta sell the best of me." While it may seem like a statement of vanity, the final lyric, "Nothing to do with being narcissistic / I'm just being realistic," refutes this, making it ironic and almost mocking this attitude while reveling in it. As short as it is, this EP is a total and unapologetic return to the '80s dance scene, a pleasant addition to the already growing number of releases from bands striving to recapture the proto-techno energy of that undeservedly maligned decade. So why don't you get up and dance already?!