Search - Client :: Heartland

Metropolis-Records newest Neon

TastyBabySyndrome | "Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Lit | 07/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Client has been around for a while now, managing a nice arrangement of discs in the process, and in that time they've managed quite a bit of acclaim while drumming up hits on the dancefloor. Their effort on the Nip/Tuck soundtrack (and what a soundtrack it was) earned them even more acclaim, and now Metropolis-Records have put themselves behind the band. At one time I would have been afraid for a band like Client, because wearing the Metropolis label would have meant that they would have had to change a bit to conform to the label's standards. This move doesn't mean anything bad for the band now, however, because the Metropolis of yore seems to have fallen and the new Metropolis seems to be a home where an armada of acts lay anchor and call home.



Heartland really does have a heavy pop sound mixed with synthized lapels, and the vocals have a bit of Ladytron stamped into the package. This makes the album something lightweight and yet fun to listen to, and the beat makes it worth blazing through the night to. There are a few songs I really could have done without - Zerox Machine being one of the forerunners - but the album is, by and far, something good to burn a night with. Slower pieces of the electronic puzzle like Someone to Hurt are good treats to listen to, and more dance-oriented songs like Light Go Out echo much of what Client has produced.



Before buying this, you can always sample the wears at Metropolis-Records to see if they are something you like. Client is not for everyone: as I said before, they have a really popish sound and some of the lyrics leave something to be desired. Still, the album serves a dancefloor purpose beautifully and, if you enjoy Client, this album is a progression in the right direction.

It actually accomplishes more than I initially gave it credit for."

LIGHTS GO OUT INDEED (3.5 stars)

Cary S. Whitt | Columbus,Ohio USA | 05/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Electro-sexy Client have released another great electronic pop record. Fans of Dubstar, will once again gravitate to Sarah Blackwood's cold, yet endearing vocals. She has found a beautiful outlet since that band's demise. In fact the music of Client, suits her quite well, the driving electronic beats tend to bring out the best in her voice.



There's no denying the more sexual themes on Heartland, themes carried over in the smartly dressed stockings and leather found in their press photos. The music matches the look for sure. Think of it as the perfect soundtrack for your next light S&M session, there's something strangely appealing about that.

Molded in the dark impressions of The Pet Shop Boys, Ladytron, Goldfrapp, and as mentioned, Dubstar, Client have turned up the pace and sizzle a bit on Heartland, and for me, it works like a charm. "No mercy, no pleasure, no sin, the lights go out, here I go again", she confesses in "Lights Go Out." This is just one of the many examples of Heartland's determination to move the music a bit more in the bedroom. Amazingly, it all doesn't come off as cold and calculated as you would think. The driving beats and nicely arranged melodies help pull this out of the ordinary electronic fare. You can definitely dance to it, and the nice thing is, you'd probably be punished if you didn't.



This is definitely a "night" record, the songs all seem to sound better at night, maybe this has to do with the overall come on themes found throughout the album's tracks. Maybe the ladies of Client have cast a spell on me? Who knows? I just might be a sucker for a euro-dance track just like the next all-American boy, but there is some real quality here. There will be those who will go in thinking electronic music just isn't their cup of tea, and for that lot, Heartland will ring hollow. If some of those people were to make some effort, they would find Heartland's substance within the style.



So, next time your in need of a stylish, electronic pop record, don't forget there is really good music to be had on Heartland, although it wouldn't hurt to put some better clothes on when you listen to it"