2084​:​ HERETIC

1. "Memory Machines" (5:47) two-chord ABABCB Aussie Techno-pop with some tinges of CURE-ishness. (8.4/10)

2. "The Thought Police" (5:28) rather flat 2-chord pop sounding very much like ICEHOUSE or some other Aussie New Wave band from the 1980s. (8.25/10)

3. "Argot" (7:42) heavier four-chord pseudo-prog that ends up sounding like darker FLOCK OF SEAGULLS. Far too long and drawn out with nothing dynamic or exciting to add to the main palette or mood. (13/15)

4. "Proletariat" (6:05) plodding but effective in the way PINK FLOYD can be and FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM is. There is much in this drawn out song that begs comparison to both The Talking Head's "The Overload" and The Cure's Disintegration vibe. A top three song. (9/10)

5. "Supernational" (6:12) more techno-popped prog in the vein of 1980s artists ICEHOUSE, MIDNIGHT OIL, and THE CHURCH (who are, coincidentally, all Australian). Once again the sound reproduction alone is almost enough--plus, it's one of the more tightly formed songs on the album. (8.66667/10)

6. "Diaspora" (6:11) more melody-oriented heavy prog lite. I commend the band for being able to work the word "diaspora" into a song lyric in a clever way. (8.66667/10)

7. "Zeit" (6:04) three-chord rock with great sound engineering and 1980s Australian vocals. (8.66667/10)

8. "The Collective" (5:18) ALAN PARSONS PROJECT-like mood, sound, vocals, lyrical theme, and music. (8.4/10)

9. "Heretic" (5:21) THE CURE c. 1987!? Though the vocalist is more in line with DEPECHE MODE, LOVE AND ROCKETS, or NEW ORDER or ICEHOUSE, that's what I hear. Another top three song. (8.75/10)

10. "101" (10:03) a little Brian Eno in this vocal, the music is more akin to that of the Australian New Wave/Techno Pop (as well as Talking Heads' "The Overload"). The heavy section in the fifth minute is different but still so rudimentary! It just has no soul! (17.3333/20)

Total Time 64:11

Incredible sound reproduction of incredibly simplistic, rudimentary techno-pop rock songs. I like the concept--and the lyrics are actually pretty decent (not hokey), but the music lacks any kind of sophistication that might connote prog-worthy musicianship. The use of voice/radio/television/film samples throughout are a plus in that they offer a thread to cohesively unite the songs into one continuous story. None of this is unpleasant to listen to, on the contrary: it's very pretty, easy to get into music, it's just not proggy enough--has far more in common with 1980s techno-pop.

C+/3.5 stars; rated up for engineering and clever, well-thought-out, and lyrically commendable concept. A clean, excellently-engineered and cleverly contrived concept album of 1980s-sounding techno/synth-pop that every prog lover should judge for themselves. Most of you--especially nostalgia-buffs--will probably love this.

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