Julien-K - Death to Analog Review

Posted by Vanessa Willoughby on 04.06.2009

With their debut, Death to Analog, Julien-K hopes to bridge the gap between electronic and modern rock. But are they just another band destined to fade into alternative obscurity?




TRACK LIST:
1. Death to Analog
2.Someday Soon
3. Kick the Bass
4. Technical Difficulties
5. System de Sexe
6. Maestro
7. Forever
8. Spiral
9. Nvr Say Nvr
10. Dystopian Girl
11. Look At U
12. Stranded
13. Disease
14. Futura (DTA Mix)


After two years of touring and promoting, Julien-K has released their debut, Death to Analog. A limited edition version of the album includes a bonus disc titled Death to Digital, featuring remixes of the album tracks by noted electronic figures such as Paul Oakenfold, Deadmau5, She Wants Revenge, and Photek. Julien-K was the creation of the two founding members of Orgy, Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck. Additionally, the group is completed by drummer Elias Andra and Brandon Belsky on keyboards and vocals. Julien-K hopes to bridge the gap between various genres, without leaning heavily in one direction. Executive produced by Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, Death to Analog utilizes Derakh and Schuk’s musical history with Orgy, using the band’s style as a blueprint for their sound. Additionally, Derakh added that the ultimate goal was to “become an electronic band that could play on the same stage with the likes of Linkin Park, Korn, [and] My Chemical Romance.”

Shuck said that, “Why is there no band that’s really rocking my world? Where are the revolutionaries? I haven’t seen any bands stirring that up, bringing a new look, a new everything, kids buying guitars because they want to sound like that band. With Julien-K that’s what I’m going for.”

With Death to Analog, the intent certainly oozes through each track. But does the intent translate into real success? The opening and title track is laden with the heavy, heart-thumping beats of 80’s icons such as Depeche Mode or even Eraser. “Death to Analog” echoes with the ferocity and the tenacity of a rally cry to the gothic and scene-kid masses, as Shuck sings:

“There's no right
To survive
Got to fight
Stay alive.”

The song is a good reflection of the band’s mission to bridge the gap between rock and electronic, as the combination of the relentless synthesizers and the searing guitar chords create a surprising hybrid. Additionally, the song is concise enough so that it doesn’t transform from invigorating to stale. It’s certainly made for both the radio and the club; despite the almost industrial feel to the song, it contains the undeniable influence of pop that would appeal to even the most casual listener.

The second track, “Someday Soon” is very reminiscent of Orgy’s sound, as it relies not so much on the complexity of the lyrics but the blending of the singer’s detachment and the distortion of the synthesizers. Again, the lyrics are not necessarily up to par with fellow electronic heavyweights such as Echo and the Bunnymen, or even say, a barrier-crossing band like Nine Inch Nails.

“I hope you could shine
Be something true
With your fucked up hair
And your disco stare
Yeah you're playing it cool
So come on
If you mean what you say
I can play the same game
I can't wait.”

The fourth track, “Technical Difficulties,” is another stellar hybrid of the cold, robotic noise of the electronic with the pounding beats of the drums. The song is borderline machine, as Shuck’s voice is nearly disembodied and frequently distorted to the point of bleeding into the technologically-laced background.

Unfortunately, Death to Analog is not without its low points. One of weaker tracks on the album is “System de Sexe,” which recycles and reuses the style of the previous tracks and past influences without bringing anything new or innovative to the table. The droning of the lead vocalist’s voice coupled with the trite sleaziness of the lyrics makes for a sour combination. Of course, I’m not against sexually explicit lyrics-as long as it’s done skillfully (no pun intended). But in this case, the entire song relies on the pre-established innuendos and connotations associated with sensuality, by using the voices of previous standards rather than their own. Case in point:

“You let your body talk
You know what I mean
Like a killer stalks
In a lovers dream
I'm here to play your game - you're such a pretty thing
I try to stand my ground but it's hard, so hard to leave you alone

I gave you all my money; now show me to the honey baby
Legs as white as sugar; candy on the window sill.”

The imagery is dangerously close to becoming cliché, the musical arrangement does nothing to heighten the song and thus, “System de Sexe” is one track to promptly skip.

Luckily, one of the highlights of Death to Analog is a “Nvr Say Nvr.” Although a cover of the Romeo Void song, Julien-K’s version is much keener on the sinister. Shuck’s sometimes gravelly voice compliments the desperation and the lust of the lyrics, perfectly accompanied by the insistence and fervor of the synthesizers. The following track, “Dystopian Girl,” acts as the right counterbalance to the cold malevolence of “Nvr Say Nvr.”

The final track, “Futura,” acts much like a bookend to the entire album, in the sense that it mimics the energy of the opening track while showcasing the strengths of the band. Equal parts dark, equal parts rhythmically compact, “Futura” is a well-rounded snapshot of what Julien-K is all about: the chaotic, the aesthetically eccentric, and the electronic.

The 411: While not exactly The Downward Spiral or Echo and the Bunnymen, Death to Analog is an album that aims to bridge the gaps between electronic and modern rock with fairly adequate results. Despite containing a few lackluster tracks, the album as a whole is worth listening to more than once.

Final Score:  7.0   [ Good ]