The Mary Onettes Understand Synth
Islands - the Swedes' latest album - is epically dark and intense.
The Mary Onettes
Islands
Released on Nov 03, 2009
Originating from a small Swedish town, the Mary Onettes original members came together in 2000 over a shared love of 80’s and 90’s acts like the Cure and the Stone Roses. Since then the band has weathered personnel changes and the vagaries of several record deals including releasing an EP for Sony/BMG. Finally, they found a home with Labrador in 2006 releasing their first full-length album for the Swedish indie label in the spring of that year. Since then the buzz surrounding the band has been growing setting the stage nicely for their new release Islands.
On this new effort the band continues to show its love and reverence for 80’s and 90’s synth artists beginning with the opening track, “Puzzles,” could have easily come straight off an early Depeche Mode or Alphaville release. While there are a number of other strong tracks throughout the collection, the band really picks up the intensity toward the end adding some contemporary flair to their work on “Century,” “Whatever Saves Me” and “Bricks.” These songs exhibit real power and passion alongside a more updated sound.
What holds Islands back from being a real breakthrough are some of the lyrics. The song “Cry for Love” starts with very emotional lyrics about how the signer’s significant other is influenced by her parents, a theme many people can relate to. Unfortunately, the song fails to pay off on the promise leaving the listener wondering what message the song was trying to convey.
High Point
Great to hear great synthesizer driven alternative music in our overly Emo world.
Low Point
Weak lyrics including too many rhymes.
Posted by Mike Stern on Nov 10, 2009 @ 6:30 am
