Flaming Fish's Red Sector One is billed as "synth-pop"--but don't be expecting another Ronnie Martin soundalike, like Goodnight Star or House of Wires. RS1 is a full-throttle return to the 1980s, complete with haunting harmonies and more synthesizers than you can shake a stick at. Fans of The Echoing Green will be delighted.
The Future is Everlasting is RS1's third album, and, according to the press release, is what emerged after two years of writing and recording. I'd say it was two years well spent. The album is excellently produced: smooth, crisp, and beautiful. The lyrics are happy and upbeat for the most part; however, on a few occasions, they are more melancholy, such as the piano-drenched "Lovely One:"
I move to touch your face
To feel your warm embrace
Together we'll float away
But go our separate ways
Time has flashed and gone
And I wonder what went wrong
This room is dark with fear
Where have you disappeared?
My lovely one...
The gorgeous backing vocals on this track set it apart from the other songs on the CD. They're female, ethereal, and hard to describe--just take my word for it. Echoing Green fans will also be happy to note that Joey Belville has remixed the song "Child of God," one of five remixes on the CD. Also worth noticing is a delightful cover of Yaz's "Only You." All in all, Red Sector One delivers fourteen techno masterpieces that make a worthy addition to anyone's collection.
4.5 tocks
