Propulsion - Decatronics

The Belgian band Propulsion release what is intended as a 15 track compilation of their best tracks, recommended for fans of Belgian techno and electro. 'Decatronics' (A Decade of Electronics) is an album with re-mastered tracks, new songs, unreleased material, remixes and collaborations. It includes remixes for Psy'Aviah and Implant.

With "Control Alt Delete", the first track we make a great start, with an excellent dance rhythm, beat and melody. I get the feeling that some may criticise as like sounds from an age gone by. But in my opinion, tracks like this are fresh crisp and timeless, as are all good 'futurepop' tracks.

The next track "The Dark (New Mix)", I would describe as techno influenced EBM, again a good sound and I am getting used to the vocals now too, which if anything I was unsure of in the first track.

"Rage" and we are back to the synth-futurepop sound. This starts of as VNV Nation class, but then is let down by the vocals. The vocals start at a good level but then just fall away which I just don't appreciate. But overall I like the track and will listen to it a lot.

"Cold Fever", is an instrumental continuing much the same sound, but with a more pronounced drumbeat and a techno dance influence. "Lost Empire" and we step back to a more synthpop sound. After about 3 minutes this tracks steps up from its sterile beginnings with the introduction of drums into a dance beat. Perhaps this is to represent two phases of development.

We continue with "Delete Me", a good techno dance track for the most part but in places shows EBM influences making it an interesting mix of styles. It works for me. "Moments (remix by Psy'Aviah)", is an excellent electronic dance track. I would describe it as "dance music for the people". "Don't Feed the Robots (remix by Implant)" is again a good dance track, a great beat and I appreciate the vocals on this track also. The best I have heard on the album so far overall. Shame it's followed up by a quite mediocre instrumental.

"Mercury Skies" recovers my attention levels with its EBM/synthpop sound, much darker sounding and heavy. Again I like the sound and level of the vocals on this one. "Human Catalyst (new edit)" is much faster but with the same influences as the previous. It keeps it interesting.

"No Angel (new mix)" and we recover much of the earlier "futurepop" sound, this to me is special. I have not enjoyed all the vocals, but what I can say now that they have a very distinctive way of singing, which I can appreciate. The track "Neglect" returns to more of the EBM influence, very much a strong album track. This album really mixes it up.

"Dionysos (new mix)", from the first beats a futurepop joy to behold, with excellent vocals. We finish with the melodic synthpop sound of "Below the Surface", a nice track with a dance beat. This really grew on me the further it went and a good finish. Although I cannot wait to go and listen to "Dionyos" once again.

Conclusion:
This is impressive, particularly the futurepop tracks. We have some dance floor killers, some classic synthpop and old-school EBM, with techno thrown at them, albeit in a structured way. This band is certainly not scared to mix it up and for that I admire them. My main criticism is that the vocals let them down in some places. Overall it is an interesting and enjoyable album which I would recommend. Apr 14 2012