Genre/Influences: Dark-wave, new-wave.
Format: Digital, CDR, Vinyl.
Background/Info: American formation Eleven Pond saw the light of day in the 80s, released several works, went through different line-ups and finally split to reform again in 2011. They started to compose new songs, released a few more productions and finally joined hands together with Young And Cold Records. “Drive” was released in 2019. The digital edition features four extra songs (remixes).
Content: The 80s influence remains easily noticeable. The typical, deep bass lines and guitar playing reminding me of The Cure are quite typical elements reminding me of the golden decade of new/dark-wave music. Some synth arrangements are reminding me of New Order. “Drive” is not a 80s emulation; this band simply never lost the original spirit from that decade. Some songs are a bit more into minimalism while others reflect some melancholic mood. The digital edit features the original songs plus 4 remixes.
+ + + : Eleven Pond is not inspired by 80s music; they never stopped creating a similar new/dark-wave sound even more than 30 years after the original set up. The bass lines and guitar play both inject this particular dark mood of desolation into the songs. That’s why I like “Tangerine” and “Dreams Within A Dream”. But there’s also something to say about the more electro-driven “Only Time For Lust”. Among the remixes I especially want to mention the “Caveman Mix” of “Headlock”, which has something pretty Portion Control like.
– – – : The first part of the work sounds a bit hesitant, but the final part is absolutely worth a listen to.
Conclusion: If you suffer from 80s nostalgia and you like dark-wave music I can for sure recommend this album.
Best songs: “Tangerine”, “Dreams Within A Dream”, “Only Time For Lust”, “Venus In Shells”, “Headlock – Caveman Mix”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/ElevenPond
Label: https://youngandcold.de /
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