Der Klinke - Square Moon

For a minute, I genuinelly believed Joy Division were back, and I never thought I'd say that in a positive light about any act.
This Belgian Quartet (as credited) have a huge love for the aforementioned legendary act - not content with performing "Love Will Tear us Apart" during shows, one look at the picture of the group (on the link above) will remind you immediately of the beautiful video for "Atmosphere" - this act just echoes the visual skills of Anton Corbijn flawlessly - I'm almost convinved this is Joy Division meets Front 242 before I hear a single note.

"Perfectly Dead" kicks us off, and is a slow, dark track reminding me of Die Form, but removing the fetish sounds with ideas far more relevant to the struggles that we find ourselves facing (Media, Religion, Politics).

"You" has more of an upbeat feel, and the synths in the chorus are the first cheery moment on the CD. This seems to combine the female vocals of Die Form, with the bleak and irrepairable desolation that Ian Curtis was releasing before his suicide in 1980.

"Surrender" is a more synth-like track, and the intro reminds me heavily of "I just can't get you out of my Head" by an Australian pop "star" who shall not be named - this track however, is far more appropriate, and carries a feeling of regret and false hope.

As this album progresses, Der Klinke seem confident to advance their lyrics and music, - the title track is a great surprise, and there's more lyrics crammed into "Castle in the Dark" than the rest of this release together.

I'm even reminded of Sisters of Mercy at some points, and suddenly, in 2011, Coldwave is relevant again, and I'm delighted with this nod to the days of Factory and Hacienda.

Bleak, yet beautiful. Dark, yet the moon casts a golden hue on this release, and with the artwork, I just feel like this is needed for anyone with deep emotions. Jul 24 2011