CD: The Knife, Deep Cuts

(Rabid)

A few years ago, the short-lived Electroclash movement promised to remodel the New Romantic/synthesiser era but groups like Fischerspooner proved to be unexciting. They've arrived a little late, but this brother/sister duo from Stockholm - Karin and Olof Dreijer, who have a Swedish grammy to their name - are having more success. The excellent Heartbeats merges a rolling electro bassline with Karin's curiously oriental-sounding vocals, while Pass This On is almost certainly the first instance of Depeche Mode-type synthesisers being bounced against a steel band.

Occasionally, Deep Cuts becomes a game of spot the 1980s influence - John Foxx's Underpass is mangled here, Steve "Silk" Hurley/Farley Jackmaster Funk's Love Can't Turn Around echoed there. The album is uneven and Listen Now is electro gibberish. But at their best - especially the glorious electronic playful pop of You Take My Breath Away - this is the music the Electroclashers dreamed about.

Contributor

Dave Simpson

The GuardianTramp

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