IRIS AWAKENING ALBUM INFACTED (EUROPE), A DIFFERENT DRUM (US) RELEASE: OCTOBER 24, 2003 (EUROPE) MAY 1 (US), 2003 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 5, 2003

Damn, it’s been a long while since I’ve heard anything this good. In case you don’t what I’m on about, Iris is an American synthpop band that makes catchy electronic pop with focus on vocals and melody. Think Mesh and De/Vision, but happier (probably too happy and mainstream for some). They were pretty hyped around the release of their debut album "Disconnect". It contains some mighty fine synthpop tracks, but although it’s a good first effort, I think it lacks a certain "something". Singer Reagan Jones’s voice doesn’t hold up all the time, and the production is a bit thin at times.
For this follow-up album Andrew Sega from Alpha Conspiracy has become a member of the band. I don’t know how much of a difference he makes, but "Awakening" is fantastic from beginning to end! Each and every song just exudes more talent than most futurepop bands put together.
The lyrics, vocals, song writing, sound design, programming and production are all so much better now, and I’ve been playing "Awakening" almost non stop since I got it. It’s like pure joy compressed into a tiny bit of plastic. Some tracks like "Wait, Move On", "Sorrow Expert" and "You're the Answer" are etched into my head, and will probably never let go. And I don't want them to either.
If you like synthpop, you just simply can’t live without Iris. Go get it. Now!!
By the way, "Awakening" has been available in the US for a couple of months now. The version I’m reviewing is for the European market and includes three extra tracks in the form of pretty good remixes of songs on the album.

JOHAN CARLSSON