Cold war europeans - Synths are the new black

They're coming thick and fast this year, not only did I bring you Pony Virus from the ever expanding Ponyland stable! but what should arrive on my door step this morning for a 'quick few words from our sponser' but the new Means of Production demo.

According to their mini biog they are influenced by Sheffield and London ... most notably Post Punk 80's elecronica in the shape of The Human League, Soft Cell and Tubeway Army, plus of course the mighty Kraftwerk Orange. With influences of this kind, especially the genius of Howard Moon and Vince Noir I had to find out what the self styled 'electro morbes' had to say for themselves.

Control of the Process-Is 'Quatermass' meets the Prodigy underpinned by a hypnotic acid groove, add to that a slither of classic Marc Almond drama by way of the hauntingly doomed lyric and you'll be someway to cerebal enlightenment. Fashion Wheel-This is my personal fave, it has a lot of 'Being boiled' about it and if that's not good enough to make you compelled to listen, then best you stick with Cold Play. Finally and in reverse order, we reach Morbid Fascination a quirky 'cyber' anthem owing much to the best bits of Heaven 17 and Gang of Four's "I Love a Man in a Uniform."

While the new breed of guitar bands hark to an era of sick, spit and sweat. MOP are more likely to be seen cruizing late at night down the 'bahn bahn bahn on the autobahn' in search of letherete and neon. Indeed if MOP were chocolate pop ... they'd definatly be Bourneville selection.

Dave T.