The second outing for Robert Gutschow (synths/programming/sampling) and Jon Sonnenberg (synths/vocals/organic instruments) finds them still doing much what they did on their first album, dark, synth-pop pieces, but with perhaps a little more light and life to the tunes.
Unlike a lot of synth bands, who eschew acoustic and organic instruments, House of Wires manages to use them to their advantage. The touch of banjo in "Song of Siberia" pushes that track one notch beyond. The accordion outro to "Dead or Happy" recontextualizes the whole tune. The catchy trumpet sample, combined with the live drums on "World of the Future" makes the track. The list goes on.
The clever use of the various instruments along with the core of the tunes, the programming and the synths, makes this a bouncy, danceable, album. And, like the Pet Shop Boys, and other bands of this style, the lyrics are intelligent, even clever.
The track "Caroline" demonstrates this perhaps best.
Caroline's in trance
pictures of another land desire to move away
Caroline's a mess
always thinking who knows what forgetting how to dress
Caroline looks sad
knowing something's in her heart that's far away from home
Caroline looks back
wave of hand and passing smile then turn and move ahead
This demonstrates a pretty tricky rhythm scheme, and a pretty interesting set of images. This song's catchy melody is also quite strong.
Really, in the final analysis, while the somewhat quiet vocals might not be everyone's style, there's plenty of decent pop music on this album that just about any pop fan, even those not into synth music, would appreciate.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Opus 2000Reviewed by Nolan ShigleyDepeche Mode may have been the usual comparison thrown out when describing House of Wires' previous album, You Are Obsolete. But though its sound is still comparable to early '80s synth-pop, Monogamy has evolved as House of Wires becomes a bit more experimental on their latest effort. You Are Obsolete was a superb retro album, but its songs began to sound a tad mundane towards the end. This time…Similar sounding releases
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