CTRL- Lost in Static Single

ARTIST: CTRL

ALBUM: Lost in Static Single

LABEL: Diffusion Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 12-24-09

A preview of the full-length album of the same title, this six-track single features five remixes plus an exclusive track, "Casual Attraction." The five guest remixes are about what you'd expect from the contributing artists; there aren't a lot of surprises, but the mixes themselves are exemplary. With the exception of Caustic's "Minimalist Stomp Mix," which is hard and...well...minimal, they're all fast, clean, and melodic. Assemblage 23's Tom Shear offers a progressive techno take laced with fuzzy synth patterns, XP8 provide their sharp, crystalline EBM and loop processed vocals over the electric synth sequences, and Iris crank up the bass on a more techno-inspired mix. CTRL themselves also get into the game with an upbeat synthpop mix that differs from the original in specifics but not in mood or style. Closing things out is the exclusive offering, "Casual Attraction," and in a lot of ways it's the real reason for CTRL fans to pick up this single in the first place; it's a gem of a song, a midtempo synthpop number buoyed by soaring vocal harmonies. Synthpop fans in general should check this out, and CTRL fans in particular should pick up a copy of this single for "Casual Attraction" alone. Visit the band online at www.ctrlmusic.com.