Search - Front 242 :: Tyranny for You

Mark H. from LITTLETON, MA
Reviewed on 4/28/2007...

Both the cd and inserts are mint.

Seminal piece of Industrial History

Elias Ayres | San Diego | 08/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album on a rainy day at a small record store in Seattle, Washington. I was there to visit a woman I was seeing, and it was my first time in the city. I had heard some songs from Front 242, but never a full album. After hearing this I must say that I was missing out. There is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, but I want to add that this album was ahead of its time, and is one of my favorite records to this day."

Connection to the past (and glorious it was...)

Beau | St. Louis, MO USA | 02/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Industrial has come a long, long way in terms of modernizing. You'd hardly think that "moldavia" by front 242 and "Chrome" by VNV nation are connected by anything. However, there was true creativity and honest feeling in the late 80s/early 90s industrial scene, and this cd exemplefies that spirit (if containing a few faults).



Characteristic of the new wave era is an interesting drum pattern that is apparent in pop music especially. We all know the sound, but its hard to describe- kind of like hitting a shallow box, but with a nice rhythm. For me, that drum pattern is the musical personification of the 80s. Early industrial took this drum pattern and used it for a more sinister style of music than, say, ABC. "Tyranny (for you)" utilizes this drum pattern with some interesting samples, sparse melodies and a continuous and often changing pattern, which is where the genius truly lies. The vocals are muffled and lack the crips, clear production of current industrial. This occasionally muddy production is the only drawback of this otherwise great album.



Front 242 had very different tools than the modern industrial artist, and the drum patterns of the day are interestingly connected to 80s pop (unlike the vastly different areas of industrial and dance pop of today). That said, the lyrics have all the anger and passion of today's bands, giving the album its dark feel. All in all, a catchy and enjoyable tunnel to the past of this genre (though a tunnel not meant for everyone. Try it, you may like it)."