Free online EP, citation : obsolete, 2006
www.ivystone.com/co
citation : obsolete or < O > as the band and fans often shorten it to, is the collaborative work of Robin James and christian.ryan. Forming in September last year the band has moved pretty fast to get their first six-track EP “Series One” out for release. Growing up and around the modern rock scene, Robin James felt like this particular style of music wasn’t providing her with the same amount of passion or excitement that it had previously been able to do before. From there on she decided to make a leap forward to the 21st century and it couldn’t have come at a better time. At that stage christian.ryan had already been writing pop and avant-garde electronic music for a good ten years and was looking to try something fresh. So upon discovering each other and their creative interests, < O > was formed.
citation : obsoletes’ sound pushes the frontiers of electronic music with a background consisting of European Synthpop, Disco-punk, Post-punk, 80’s underground Italo Disco and even a slice of the early 90’s U.S. Electronica sound of the now infamous Wax Trax record label.
After reading the bands musical array of styles, I wasn’t really sure what to expect as the vast amount of genres that the band have included in the description of their music seemed to have no limitations! From first listen though, you can see how they have come to these conclusions. I found that a vast majority of the tracks (for example “A Fashion State”, “The Ballad Of Wolf Point” and “Our Federated Approach”) do head in the direction of 80’s Electropop, but what was more intriguing was the way in which the duo have combined the aggressive and at times often sleazy nature of Punk into the lyrical aspect of the song composition. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure if the music and the lyrical content actually coincide that well, but it certainly does make for an interesting listen.
Although the album at times conflicts with itself with its musical and lyrical differences, there are at least a couple of tracks that will keep the listener entertained. The main flaw I feel though is its longevity. After at least two good listens it can get fairly monotonous, and with only six tracks on offer, this factor only becomes even more apparent. Considering all the elements that the album is compromised of, this would possibly be a release for the more dedicated of Disco-punk followers.
[4/10]
— Paul Marcham