The Vitals:

Label: Modular
Genre: Industrial/Psychedelic/Techno
Number of Tracks: 11
How to Obtain: iTunes

Factor Scores:

Production Quality: 9.2
Programming and Arrangement: 9.0
Entertainment Qualities: 9.3
Total: 9.2 – Great

Carl’s Take:

The Presets—for those of you that don’t know—is fast becoming one of Australia’s biggest electronic exports. They have climbed up the ladder with their spin on the old 80’s euro synthpop, adding new elements. While their previous album was a definite stand-out, Apocalypso just cuts through the rest.

The opening track, "Kicking and Screaming", gets you in the mood and provides a taste of what is to come. With the offbeat synth line and the effects floating around your head, it’s an example of what the 80’s electronic scene was like. "My People", which is the first single off the album, hits hard with distorted vintage synths and hard kicks. The vocals adds another element. With the pulsating leads and the sounds being pushed to the limit and beyond, you will soon see why these guys are whipping up a storm. The video clip for this track is worth checking out as well on YouTube. With layered vocals to start with, "A New Sky" kicks into dirty but bouncy electro house. Once again, the effects come out at you, and the vocals sit so tight into the groove. They show how it is done.

The second single, "This Boys in Love" is another very stand-out track, with a single line piano riff and a typical vintage synth bass line to drive the track. Reversed reverb deep vox lead into an eerie chorus with soprano vocals and lots of reverb. Check this one out on YouTube, too. "Yippiyo-ay" will get you jumping around the house. With referral to the 80’s, you will see why. The bouncy melodies and bass just keep rolling around your head. The lyrics once again are excellent. Track 6, "Talk Like That", starts like your walking into a church service 100 years ago, but then proceeds into a little darker track with the same 80’s style. There are a lot of elements throughout this track and lots of effects that have been very well produced.

Next up is one for you D&B guys and gals. "Eucalyptus" featuers fast drums and dirty bass with distorted main synth. The vocals fill most of this track in a strange way. "If I know You" is a slower track. Very meaningful, this is one of my favourite tracks on the album. Soft, steady drums with synth strings and deep reverb vocals make this one of those tracks you turn up loud and makes the hairs on your neck stand on end. What can I say? This is another excellent example of what these two guys can produce. After a softer track, they hit back into a hard dirty track, with stuttered vox, dirty synth lines, and hard hitting drums. "Together" gets your toes tapping and your heart pumping.

"Aeons" is a slow, instrumental track. It reminds me more of an interlude than a track towards the end of the album, but it's one you can sit back and lose yourself in. If nothing else, play a game of "pick the synths used in this track". "Anywhere" is one for the trance kiddies. It's kicking bass drum, steady bass, and deep reverb vocals are something you would hear at a rave. It’s a great track to leave the audience with after an epic journey on this album.

I know I'm probably a bit biased towards these guys because they're Aussie and they are making it. I love their tunes and style, but it's different in today’s market. I know they are doing tours around the States, so it would be worth going to one of their shows. I hear they put on a pretty good one. Final take: I love it, and I think you will, too. But before you rush out and buy it, check them out along with tracks on their MySpace (www.myspace.com/thepresets) and watch their videos on YouTube.