Search - Apoptygma Berzerk :: In This Together

Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade

SandmanVI | Glen Allen, VA United States | 09/06/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Nearly every keen-eyed observer has sensed that APB headman Stefan Groth has a burning desire to be famous and popular... the writing's been on the wall for a long time. Still he always managed to keep the music creative and enjoyable while updating the sound. Well until now that is. This drastic shift to mainstream rock is not so much a surprise as a disappoint. We saw it coming but it still blows to see it happen.



While artists should grow and challenge themselves by evolving their sound, there is a point at which they cease to be themselves. APB has reached that point on this single. I'd go as far as to call this a disingenuous ripoff of long-term fans. But let's be clear, I get just as annoyed as anyone with people who like to toss out the word "sellout" when it really isn't appropriate. However when a band loses their essence and compromises everything to sell more records... well folks that is a sellout. Hope you make some $$ SG cuz this single sucks eggs.



Be afraid for the full album... be very afraid."

What Happened

Cristiana Yambo | NY, NY | 09/20/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I got this single the other day, and listening to it made me sick. Apop is one of my favorite bands, I have every one of their CDs including singles. Harmonizer, and Welcome to Earth are two of my all time favorite albums.

This single is a total slap in the face to all their dedicated fans, what happened?? They turned themselves into an emo band. If you are a fan of apop, don't waste your money on this. Plus, on the limited edition single, there was a version of 'Until The End of the Word', and it almost made me cry to listen to this massacre of one of my favorite songs. This is extremely disappointing."

Um...

Astronut | 09/20/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been one to defend the directions my favorite artists choose to take their music. My argument is always, "I'm more interested in the artist and the process of making new music" as opposed to picking one album and wishing they could make more in that manner.

When Groth's sound changed every album, I supported it and thought it was a great change. But I'm finally going to have to bite the bullet and admit that, yes, Welcome to Earth was probably his greatest work. And the new single, to the seasoned synth fan, is perhaps the farthest thing from his greatest work.

If I could have had any say in the matter, I would've suggested Groth make another side project, like he did with Fairlight Children, and use it to explore a rock sound, just as FC exlores the vintage synth sound, and not tack on the APB logo with it.

Of course, under the name of APB, the upcoming rock-ish album will reach far more people, and Groth's little dream of being a superstar might have a chance. I don't know. I personally am not hooked by the new sound, but I imagine there is an audience for it. Synth fans who enjoyed the last three Apop albums, however, are likely not going to be pleased."