Colony 5- Re-Fixed

Artist:Colony 5
CD Title:Re-fixed
Label: Storming the Base Records
Reviewer:Richard Edge
Date: 4-10-06

There’s not a tune that hasn’t already been sung they say, and to an extent this is certainly true. Colony 5’s influences are worn subtly however, rather than brashly and obviously.

Now a duo, Sweden’s Colony 5 have toured hard across Europe since their inception in 1999. This album is the latest in a series of albums and EPs, and represents a more emotional, dancefloor friendly offering, according to the band.

There is a hint of early Depeche Mode here, along with a touch of the gentle pop sensibilities of Soft Cell. This album is almost exclusively synth-led, with no real evidence of guitars in the mix. Luckily for Colony 5 the 1980s synth pop revival is well and truly in progress in Europe, and this offering from the band is a welcome addition to this.

‘I Know’ is a dark Depeche Mode meets Kraftwerk standout track. Vocoder vocals mix easily with the vocalist’s warm Dave Gahan-esque tones

Much of the rest of the material on offer here is of a more melodic, lighter nature. ‘Like Leaves’ fits this bill well, a clever mix of pop vocals with a Euro-Trance type beat.

Overall this is a superbly produced and well-executed slice of dark synth pop. 1980s influences are displayed proudly, but the material never feels anything but contemporary.