DISTAIN 25 FRAMES A SECOND ALBUM CHROM RELEASE: MARCH 29, 2004 REVIEW: APRIL 22, 2004

A Distain reunion seemed pretty unlikely after the release of their third album, the by their measures quite experimental "Homesick Alien". Sebastian von Wyschetzki, main song writer, left the band together with Oliver Faig, leaving only vocalist Alexander Braun to pick up the pieces. A quick review of their discography does reveal that some of the band's career highlights, such as "Confession" and "A Better Life", were co-written by Braun, adding some credibility to this comeback. Alexander has recruited keyboardist/lyricist Manfred Thomaser to aid him through modern synthpop beats on "25 Frames a Second".
Now, I am the first to admit I am a sucker for the German brand of electropop, at least the category within which the vocalists can carry a tune. Braun has the perfect synth voice, but still has the ability to burst into sudden howls on occasion. "25 Frames a Second" is as solid as a reinforced block of concrete, albeit lacking that direct hit their previous albums have generated ("Confession", "Conversation Overkill" and "Tears of Joy" respectively). Never boring, never mind-bendingly fantastic, but always a pleasant synthpop listen. Respect.

NIKLAS FORSBERG