Dreams Divide - Puppet Love

Usually, energy gets lost on the studio release. You know, some acts are just like a lightning bolt from the sky. Salisbury's Dreams Divide (David Crout - Vocals, Synths, Programming and Gem Davison (Vocals, Synth) are exactly one of those acts.

Had the support act not have been Covenant, this duo would have outclassed everyone on that stage in London this September. At first, I thought I was watching a Project Rotten show, due to David's energy and shaved head - but truth be told, in this case, I'm glad I wasn't - Dreams Divide were the most energetic and contagious act I've ever seen in a support slot.

If you imagine high-octane energy, delivered with personal and deep vocals, with an occasional dubstep style bass wobble, then you're halfway there. Dreams Divide do more original things than most of the scene combined. The first thing that impressed me was the rare combination of having the female member of the act sit at the back and play the keyboards, while David bounced, danced, sang, and owned the stage.

His energy was so intense that I immediately missed two songs by Covenant by simply complimenting him on an absolutely unforgettable performance. This is why I fear that 'Puppet Love' - the duo's debut CD, will fall short.

'John' is the first track on here, and it's THE Dreams Divide track. When it was played live, it was like an electric pulse going through my Cortex, and on CD, it's so inexplicably strong; that synth intro is one of a kind, and the change from intense to quiet that runs from bridge to verse keeps the value of this track at its highest.

'Complex' is the live favourite, and at times can be as good as 'John' - both are fast, dancy, powerful and deep. 'Faces' is my other favourite on here, and from then on the tracks go from good, to ok. Nothing else has hit me like the three pronged assault above. Don't take this as saying it's a filler album, but quite simply, the very best of it is towards the beginning.

On a calm, mellow day, I enjoy the entire CD with a gusto, on a heavy, aggressive day, I find the first half to be of more interest. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is why I score this an 8. Live, the band is a solid 9 out of 10, and on CD, the score can reflect the same, but only if I'm tuned into the more mellow tracks...

Listen to 'John', 'Complex', 'Faces', and 'Leaving' on the bandcamp. You'll see why I'm buzzing.
Yes, Yes, Yes! Oct 30 2011