Search - Cause & Effect :: Another Minute

Not just worth another minute, it?s worth another listen

J. Derek Reardon | KC, MO, USA | 07/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is no denying the comparison when listening to Cause & Effect's debut Another Minute (if you have the import version, it's actually a self-titled debut). Though released in 1991, Cause & Effect sound very much like Depeche Mode (albeit DM from between Some Great Reward to Music for the Masses) - so much so that when I heard "You Think You Know Her" I thought it was DM. Now some will criticize that. However, I find nothing wrong with it, especially given the drastic turn DM made from Violator to Songs of Faith and Devotion. Another Minute is enjoyable synth-alt-pop that has depth and definite dance floor appeal. Okay, so it sounds every bit of a late-80s/early-90s release... who cares? It's still fun, enjoyable, and great piece of synth-alt-pop history.The release starts off with the first single from this release, the fun and danceable "You Think You Know Her." With beats, orchestrations, and vocals that sound like upbeat Depeche Mode, this song sets the stage for the tone and style of the rest of the release. The import remix single contains a 7" Version, Promiscuous Edit (very club friendly with some New Order sounding elements), and The Deception Mix (a hard hitting techno-house club mix provided by Tony Garcia). The DM comparisons continue as you listen as you hear the intro orchestration to "Farewell to Arms." However, despite the heavy DM sounds (or perhaps because of them), this is a great song to chill out with. Another single, "Another Minute" is definite up-tempo and up-beat dance floor material. The remix single contains 7 mixes (some by Paul Rjinders of Anything Box and Danny Tenaglia) and the bonus track "Unholy Day" (definite b-side material). "Something New" is also up-tempo but more plaintive with minor harmonics. The bridge harmonies and moans are very DM sounding. "The Echoing Green" is beautiful in its orchestration and vocal harmonics that are fun to sing along with as you sway along with the beat. The lyrics are also somewhat deep and remind me of Martin L. Gore's Counterfeit E.P. "What Do You See" should have been another single and would have faired better than "Another Minute." Starting off slow with DM sounding harmonics, the refrain picks up speed and has great lyrical hooks and fun orchestration. Sounding a bit more like When in Rome, "New World" is a plaintive beat-ridden tune about how love can persevere even when the world is falling about around us. The references to London are kind of funny given this is an American group that seems to be trying to sound like they're British. Sounding a bit more like themselves, "Nothing Comes to Mind" is a great dance floor tune with thoughtful, sing-along lyrics. Similar to "Farewell to Arms," "The Beginning of the End" starts off with dark DM-style orchestrations very reminiscent of Black Celebration and Music for the Masses, and the vocals sound very DM as well. However, even as a DM copy-cat, the song is executed well and is great to be reflective with. The release ends with a fun remix of "You Think You Know Her" executed by Tony Garcia. [Note to import album owners/seekers: the import version has the same songs but in a different order, and the end song is instead a bonus Arabian House Mix of "What Do You See," an awesome dance floor techno-house trip executed by Tony Garcia.]Overall, I give the release a low to moderate 4 star rating. The piece is a solid debut, and I don't find anything wrong with the fact that, in their search for their own sound, they end up sounding a lot like DM. Fortunately, it is well executed and seems a proper homage to a group that definitely influenced them. However, the content is a bit weak and wears thin sometimes. I enjoy listening to it every now and then, however repeated listens seem to be redundant. A very talented group , this release is a fun, enjoyable piece of early 90s synth-alt-pop that I enjoy, and shows where this talented group got its start.I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed and appreciated the heyday of synth-alt-pop that surged in the late 80s/early 90s; this is a must have for your collection! Fans of Depeche Mode, especially circa Songs of Faith and Devotion, may also appreciate this release. However, it is a bit more upbeat, not quite as deep lyrically, and purists might not appreciate the fact that Robert Rowe sounds so much like Dave Gahan. Just listen to the samples here. If you like them, then you can't go wrong buying this release.To their detractors, I would like to point out that Cause & Effect did in fact advance their sound and create their own music with their subsequent releases Trip and Innermost Station. But I still give this release credit, even if it does remind me of Depeche Mode. After all, I enjoy and appreciate DM. This too is an excellent piece of music that is fun to listen to and enjoy. I'll give it several more minutes."

Killer riffs and awesome vocals!

Get What We Give | Georgia | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cause and Effect has been likened to Depeche Mode and I suppose that it can be said that there is some similarity there. However, I would have to say that where DM's tunes seem to be "dark" in nature and center quite often on religious matters, Cause and Effect is the "light" side of that sound.



True, both groups share a similar sound and feel, but the ultimate delivery is considerably different between the two groups.



I own every one of DM's albums, EPs, and any other DM issue out there. That said, I'm nuts about Cause and Effect.



On this album my favorites are Farewell to Arms and You Think You Know Her.



I've got all their albums and I'm just itching to get another.



Cause and Effect are a band easy to listen to on a regular basis (but then so is DM).



Get it you'll like it."

A Masterpiece!

Sean R. Hendrickson | DFW, Texas | 09/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I listened Cause and Effect here first, looking for a sound that had the vocal energy of Depeche Mode. I found it here and I find that this is a better listen overall than any one of Depeche Mode's earlier works. The wealth of DM's work still puts them in the forefront. Comparatively, DM is like a dreary winter day and C&E a bright sunny spring day. I cannot say enough about the vocal talent of Rob Rowe.



1. You Think You Know Her-5/5- Dust off this early 90s club hit, like New Order with better vocals. The first song I bacame addicted to.



2. Farewell to Arms- 4/5-Powerful Vocals! This song shows what Rob Rowe can do. Downbeat with heavy synths.



3. Another Minute- 5/5- Very catchy and addictive early club hit! Can't compare it to anything really, Just have to hear it. Maybe it's just me but I also love the female background vocals mear the end in harmony with the leads.



4. Something New- 4/5- Pop song with some nice orchestration.



5. Echoing Green- 3/5- Not my favorite, kinda cheesy, as always good vocals.



6. What Do You See- 5/5- Dance floor friendly, bouncy, with a dreamy vocal quality.



7. New World- 5/5- One of my favorites. Took a few listens to realize this. The best lyrics on the whole cd. It is a very relevent song in this age where cities sink and terrorists bring buildings down. It speaks of rebuilding and of the light shining through the dark, and finding love in a precarious place. Ethereal is the word that comes to mind.



8. Nothing Comes to Mind- 4/5- Very much a pop song kind of upbeat, the background vocalist is great in this song.



9. The Beginning of the End- 3/5- A very Depeche Mode like song. This is like a Martin Gore slow song, unfortunately, Martin Gore is the master of his craft and this song doesen't hold up in my opinion.



10. You Think You Know Her (Unfaithful Mix)- I will not put a rating on this song. Personally, I just skip it. Some people may like it as much as the original, and it would probably work in the clubs, but I'd rather hear the short version on the drive home.



I still have yet to give their later stuff much of a listen. Not much can top Another Minute. The strong songs on this album are really strong, more than making up for a couple of cheesy ones. I hear that the songwriter died of asthma shortly after the completion of this album. Shame that he can no longer write more greatness."