Xanthippe - Issue5 / The Love Zombie

The bouncy, melancholic co-ordinations of Austrian two-piece 'Xanthippe' struck a chord with me earlier in 2011, and eight years on from 'Soulstripes', 'The Love Zombie' is their 5th full-length. It's immediate to the consumer that if you're not wholly keen on synthpop and romance, then this might not be a suitable purchase.

The second immediate realisation is that the vocal and music style of Fran and Page has changed, significantly. 'All What You Offer' feels much higher and restrained in pitch, but is met with some very uplifting electro, and a charming female fade out.

Note, once again, that Xanthippe isn't a band to immediately fall for. It took me several listens per album to really get the act, and there's still times when I simply can't fathom the state of mind to appreciate it. The positivity comes in that they have a knack to both really cheer you up and make your feet tap, but also dazzle you with unexpected intricacies on the songwriting. 'It Would Be Better' is a gorgeous track, and the closest thing to an immediate hit that this duo has offered us yet.

It's taken me months to really ascertain the vocal style on here, but I'm pretty much there - if you imagine Robert Smith at his most puritan, and couple it with Billy Corgan ('Disarm' - Era Pumpkins), then you've got a great idea what this sounds like, and it's demonstrated perfectly on 'Devils Whore'.

It's hellishly hard to compare this to the myriad of world class synthpop that also came out last year - Erotic Elk, Zynic, Henric De La Cour, Ghost & Writer... this doesn't have the same immediate persuasion, but Xanthippe are a premier act in every way when it comes to easy listening and chilled soundscapes. Those of you with ambition to sit alone late at night with the speakers at a comfortable level will flock to this, and as the album goes on, I find myself increasingly warming to it.

It is the best CD that the duo have put out, and Xanthippe are (in)disputably one of the more interesting and unique acts out there.

They've listened to previous concerns, set up a professional website, and packaged this in a smashing booklet indeed. Look out for the name, as Xanthippe are more mainstream than they've ever been. Jan 17 2012