R.E.T.R.O's Feel Seals the Deal
S. Huisken | Minnesota | 03/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mind in a Box (mind.in.a.box) is an amazing artist that I stumbled upon through blind luck. I have listened to every one of their CDs and own a majority and R.E.T.R.O is definately worth buying. Unlike other techno artists that barely scratch the surface in terms of quality, Mind in a Box sets the standard that, sadly, very few ever meet.
Some of my favorite tracks on R.E.T.R.O include the soulful "Whatever Mattered", which employs one of Mind in the Box's best vocal performances, in my opinion, and "8 Bits", which throws you back behind that old NES controler with its amazing electronic chorus.
Mind in a Box isn't your average, sub-par, one or two track artist. Everything they release is quality and certainly deserves more appreciation than it gets.
Enjoy R.E.T.R.O!"
"Will you still love me when I'm 64?"
Dal | Salt Lake City, Utah | 03/21/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard m.i.a.b were making a throw back tribute album of sorts, my initial emotion was distress. Anyone who knows this group has high expectations based on their back catalog, they have created some of the most memorable and intelligent electronic music I have ever listened to, with layers and layers. Their first 3 albums are actually a continuing story, a mystery, questioning the listener to everything they may think they know about what is going on in this world. So I was worried when I heard they were breaking that mold. Well rest assured they have created a excellent album and quite possibly even built an entirely new sound I've never heard from them before. R.E.T.R.O explodes with it's epic openner, The Last Ninja III, and it really never lets you go until the subtle and calmingly slow closer, Whatever Mattered.. Experiencing the album is something you need to do with a good set of headphones, as like any of their other albums. The production and attention to detail here is astounding. One thing worth mentioning and it shows is, they have brought back old audio systems from the past and integrated them with todays technology. Never in my life have I heard music like this.. It's perfectly blended nostalgia, making you think back to the comadore 64 days, the cloak and dagger days, sweeping synths and keyboards making you feel like you are actually going back into the past.. Now, take that and infuse what they've been doing the past decade and you have a completely new sound that is commanding and epic, yet somehow melencholy and heart wrenching. A lot of the tracks here are completely instrumental, and they've turned out to be my favorite tracks. I highly recommend this album to anyone looking for more, and if you like this please do yourself a favor and find the rest of their albums.
I've spent the majority of this review praising it, but there are a few blemishes; such as the length, I really wish it were longer, and I am it does seem that r.e.t.r.o is a bit self indulgent isolating any new fans of the group. It's a stretch trying to find something negative to say about m.i.a.b because they are so masterful with what they do.
Stand out Tracks:
The Last Ninja III
Lightforce
Supremecy
The Last Ninja
I love 64
Whatever Mattered"
Superb Electronic Music
Tankery | New Orleans | 03/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you in any way like electronic music mind in a box will blow you away. Retro is their finest hour.
The two instrumentals to kick things off have a grandeur that rivals the best of New Order circa late 80s club music.
the rest of the album is brilliant.
I think they define Euro electro-pop brilliance.
Please come to the Midwest of boring old America."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1