Apoptygma Berzerk- Rocket Science (2009)

I have said many times throughout my posts that I will get an album to check out based on some retarded reason: name, cover art, if their foreign, etc.  Well Apoptygma Berzerk is one of those bands that, after listening to them, I was more or less "Aww, whatever"; then I looked on their site, and based on the fact that they look like modern day emo bafoons, I'm gonna say "I don't really care for them".  (I base this on very loose logic- I came across them and decided to check them out based on their name, which is not any way to really go about these things, and was pretty wishy-washy with their music, then I see a picture of them and since they look idiotic, I now pronounce them, subjectively, lame. See what I was saying?- loose logic.)  Now on to the review.........

Rocket Science seems to be these guys' 6 album, and honestly, 6th?  Anyhow, this album consists of 14 elecro/pop/synth pop type tracks.  At nearly an hour long, the album feels a little drawn out.  Here's why: 1. synthy type releases, that are instrumental, really need to have some hooks or something to keep it interesting- this did not; 2. I have heard synth releases from decades ago, that were the same quality, but due to their release date, hold a way higher interest; 3. the tracks aren't too complicated and seem like they are meant to be just a synth style soundscape; and 4. now that I've seen photos, they wear freakin' eyeliner, which I'm not opposed to if you rock, but if your lame, well..... then your lame factor is increased exponentially.   So, there it is, take it for what it's worth.  I was not impressed, and honestly as soon as I'm done with this review I am going to remove from my MP3 player. 

If you're into synth pop or elecro soundscapes, then go ahead and get this; but, if you are an avid music fan, you'll see the flaws with this release.

Official score-1.75/5

Jean Pierre Massiera- Psychoses Discoid 1976-1981 (2008)

So I found this due to the name and the cover, I thought both seemed pretty interesting.  (As a side note, I get a lot of bad music basing choices off of names/cover art; I'll go further and say that is the same with foreign films.  My wife tells me that I am not allowed to pick a foreign film, when we are both supposed to watch it, because I always choose the seemingly worst one possible.)  With a french name and a series of date from the late 70's to '81, how bad could it be?

With my idea of the possibility of coolness based on superficial qualities, I was partial amused by this album.  First and foremost, this is a collection of Disco songs, that Jean Pierre Massiera either played in, produced or edited.  Each song is by a different artist and all, I mean all, are disco tracks!  I will follow that last sentence up with the fact that 1/3 of the songs are pretty cool, and most of the songs have really bad ass bass lines; that's where it ends.  If you ask any friends that have known me for any length of time, then they'll tell you this is not the kind of album that I would like; so.... I'll be honest and say that it isn't all that bad.  The songs can be catchy, some of the songs have lyrics in different languages and seriously, the bass on most of the tracks are awesome.  Disco is disco, there isn't really too much to explain about it; all these songs are very similar and the album as a whole is pretty much like listening to a compilation of like-minded bands.

You'll like this if you like Disco, or if you are into catchy dance type music; like P. Murph.  I probably won't listen to this again after I did for this review, but it might stay in the music collection for archival purposes.  (and the fact that I really don't like getting rid of any kind of music, even if I hate it.)

Official score- 2.75/5