BIS
MUSIC FOR A STRANGER WORLD
MINIALBUM WILIJA, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: JUNE 17, 2000 REVIEW: AUGUST 4, 2000
Tremendously bored with today's massive revival of almost every aspect of
the eighties, I can't do anything but sigh as I listen to the thievery of
Glasgow trio Bis. In this case the victim is old synthpopper Gary Numan,
whose sound is everywhere on their current minialbum "Music for a Stranger
World". And apart from ripping him off, Bis have very little in common with
the visions and originality of Numan.
But even if rather catchy tunes like "Dead Wrestlers" and "How Can We Be
Strange?" are potent floorfillers; there is one very important ingredient
that is missing. It's called soul and is what (hopefully) separates the
immortal from the many mayflies. And Bis are at their best a mayfly,
using their fifteen minutes sliding down-hills with fellow kid-musicians
Republica, Pop Star Kids, Shampoo and the EBM-Spice Girls Chicks on Speed.
Though, you've got to be amazed by not the female, but male vocalist. I've never heard
anyone - and I've heard quite many attempts - come so close when imitating
the voice of David Gahan. Just listen to "Dead Wrestlers" - very uncanny…
