FRONT 242
GEOGRAPHY
DOUBLE ALBUM ALFA-MATRIX RELEASE: APRIL 9, 2004 REVIEW: APRIL 13, 2004

Re-released once more, Front 242’s debut album needs little description nor does it need much explanation in terms of the ground it broke or the influence it has since wielded. What is worth noting is the limited edition's second disc of pre-242 work, which has been included and published for the first time ever. These tracks show the foundation of what was to become Front 242 and indeed, run quite far afield. I am personally impressed with the work which has gone into this re-issue and hope that it will allow more people to see with greater clarity just how much of an aberration 242 were in the 80:s. The sound quality is superior to all previous incarnations of this album as it has been personally seen to by Daniel Bressanutti himself. Now if you were wondering how the artwork fares don’t worry, there is a deluxe booklet which comes with the double-disc version. Some hilarious photos indeed.
For those who were somewhat disillusioned with “Pulse” (a much maligned album which I quite liked), “Geography” will give them the classic sound, which 242 have abandoned in their quest to evolve. The quirky synthetic patterns, beats and militaristic vocals of a band defining themselves, and eventually making us all get up to dance.

PETER MARKS