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Herald Rating: * * *
Label: Siberia/ Rhythmethod
Verdict: Chandelier-lit synth pop for the romantic geek in all of us
If you ever wondered what happened to electro-popsters Mi-Sex, well wonder no more because these hairy Aussies have nicked all their moves. For that matter, they've also been rummaging through the hand-me-downs of everyone from Air, Bowie, and Visage to ELO, and if they're not careful they may get a call from Daft Punk's lawyers wanting their sci-fi beats back.
Dystopia is their debut album, and it's is a jolly, synth-along which takes some inspiration from the hammed-up efforts of another bunch of Australian revivalists with a silly name, Tism, except their punchlines aren't as cutting. Well, I'm guessing they're having a bit of a laugh. Some of the cascading synth lines would have embarrassed Ultravox in their most OTT moments, yet Vincent's vocal carries such a sense of po-faced dramatics, you wouldn't be surprised to hear he was wearing a posh dinner suit with the arse cut out of it. But there's no denying the party possibilities of tracks like Into the Galaxy; it'd have to be a contender for the next teen comedy where the geek gets the girl at the prom. It's electro-clash with extra-cheese and it's all been done before, but it's been done a hell of a lot worse than this.
