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Julien K - Death to Analog

Rating

RIYL

Duran Duran
Nine Inch Nails
Depeche Mode
Blaqk Audio

Release Date

03/10/2009

Label

Metropolis

Tracklist

1. "Death to Analog" - 5:15
2. "Someday Soon" - 4:12
3. "Kick the Bass" - 3:42
4. "Technical Difficulties" - 4:20
5. "Systeme de Sexe" - 5:26
6. "Maestro" - 3:30
7. "Forever" - 4:29
8. "Spiral" - 3:22
9. "Nvr Say Nvr" - 4:01
10. "Dystopian Girl" - 5:01
11. "Look at U" - 3:47
12. "Stranded" - 3:57
13. "Disease" - 3:56
14. "Futura" (DTA Mix) - 4:29

Users Rating 2 ratings	Your Rating Create an account or log in to rate this album
Recent Ratings
Stinkypickle	Rick Gebhardt

Though many believe that Julien K is a one-man act, it actually consists of four members and is the brainchild of Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck, two of the founding members of Orgy. The project is quite different from Orgy, but it does keep the "dark" element rather intact. Their latest release and first full-length, Death to Analog, is a cavalcade of sexual references and thumping club beats. Given the not-so-discrete innuendo throughout the album, the content may be somewhat alienating to most listeners. For others, though, it's everything they could hope for out of a side-project of Orgy.

Julien K is at their best when they allow themselves to experiment more in tracks like "Technical Difficulties". Unfortunately, moments like this are few and far between throughout the album. Instead, they maintain a very dark, serious vibe that resonates in some less than stellar ways. "System De Sexe", a track that lives up to its name in terms of content, fails to truly capture the vibe they wanted it to, and instead it wades through the realm of cheesiness. In fact, "cheesiness" very well encapsulates the sound of the album.

Death to Analog does quite a few things right, but misses the occasional target and leaves the listener waiting for things to pick up. The retro appeal is absolutely there, but the album may on occasion leave you wondering why. Hearkening back to older sounds, especially with electronica, can provide the listener with a pleasant feeling of nostalgia as they jestingly nod their head to sweet, sweet chipbeats. With Death to Analog, though, it arguably serves as a hindrance to what they were clearly trying to accomplish. It's clear that Julien K are taking their music very serious, but on occasion they come off a bit campy in sound, particularly in "Maestro".

The varied sounds and influences on display here are thoroughly impressive. Any fans of the moody prog so absent in modern music will almost certainly be pleased with this release. Electronica fans with preferences towards a more serious, emotional sound will also find plenty to enjoy in Death to Analog. If you don't fit those requirements, it may be best for you to give this album a pass.

--Dant Rambo