Nuremberg's Robocop Kraus return with their first new album in 15 years and to be honest, it is like they've never been away. They can be as pop as the poppiest, but their adventures are a little more left field. Very adventurous 80s as a base, they spread their tentacles across New Wave, Post Punk, Indie and much more.
No matter which direction they take, songs are built around "all together now" choruses and verses are noted for the hook. What is most pleasing is that the long absence shows everyone what they've missed. They are back with a "We're Here" crash, providing what long time fans crave, but also ready for a new generation of fans.
Young Man burst in with its hypnotic chorus like an emerging Indie band, followed by Innocent Fun which is part Cars, part Rezillos and frenetically poptacular. Yet Savages is as near to Devo as you can get and On Repeat could be New Order.
Cannonball comes across as 80s Roxy Music with that definitive Bass line, but Under Control is somewhere between Sparks In Outer Space period, Joy Division and Andrew WK. But World / Inferno could be on the Miami Vice soundtrack.
What I Wanted is an urgent slice of Post Punk, wonderfully in your face. The Foul Stench Of Our Time is 1977 UK Punk, a real surprise, faithfully approached, an absolute winner. The sense of humour is intact too, the paean to Cradle Of Faith is hilarious.
That song is incredibly close to Power Pop, revealing yet another side to the band. It will certainly be on the upcoming IDHAS 10 Song Mix. We had no right to expect something as great as Smile after such a long gap. An absolute winner!
You can buy the album by following the links here. You can listen everywhere.
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