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WhoMadeWho

Inside World EP

(Kompakt; US: 14 Feb 2012; UK: Import)

WhoMadeWho follow up their exceptional 2011 Knee Deep EP with the promised album. While Knee Deep saw the band stretching their sound into more experimental territory, Brighter is tipped to feature more straightforward material. You know, the “tunes” album. This lead single is indeed streamlined and straight ahead, but is no less powerful for it.


You get two versions of “Inside World”. The original version is built on a robotic electronic pulse and rhythm that are very early New Order. Tense synthesizers, cryptic lyrics, and the near-chant of a chorus recall the edginess of Knee Deep, only in a more sing-along-friendly package. On the B-side, the “acoustic” version is not so much unplugged as it is less electronic, with guitar taking over for the synth and American expat John Grant taking over on vocals. If this is any indication, Brighter, out in late February, figures to impress.

Rating:

John Bergstrom has been writing various reviews and features for PopMatters since 2004. He has been a music fanatic at least since he and a couple friends put together The Rock Group Dictionary in third grade (although he now admits that giving Pat Benatar the title of "first good female rocker" was probably a mistake). He has done freelance writing for Trouser Pressonline, Milwaukee's Shepherd Express, and the late Milk magazine and website. He currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and two kids, both of whom are very good dancers.


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WhoMadeWho - Inside World
Related Articles
3 Apr 2012
Brighter is the promised "pop" follow-up to the Danish electro-trio's more experimental Knee Deep EP. In striving toward a happy medium, it sells both sides a bit short.
8 Aug 2011
The Danish synth-pop trio come a long way on their third album.
7 Jul 2009
After the success of "Space to Rent" and their disaffected version of "Satisfaction", WhoMadeWho have a clear stamp on good-times sophisticated European electro-pop.
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