MELOTRON PROPAGANDA ALBUM SYNTHETIC SYMPHONY, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: FEBRUARY 12, 2007 REVIEW: MARCH 5, 2007

Melotron have been impressively prolific during their nine year existence. Especially considering the quality maintained through all of their releases, all the way from "Mörderwerk" (overly influenced by And One, but still fantastic!) to the brand new effort "Propaganda". It is an album that keeps us firmly within the Melotron bubble, but the shell is thin enough to let in particles of new influences.

Calling it experimental would be ridiculous, but there are signs of evolution to be found if you listen closely enough. Guitars and other acoustics are present, as are more unconventionally built tracks, like the sinister "Gerade heute" or the rock themed "Wir können auch anders". Trademark Melotron powerpop tracks do take up quite a bit of the CD, but the alteration in sound is obvious and, I tend to think, essential to avoid repetition.

Joining the brutal force of single "Das Herz" is the beautiful synthpop of "Princess of Russia" and "Broken", the latter completely sung in English, which is a first for the German trio. "Vaterland" may be the strongest song on the album, in stiff competition with the above mentioned "Princess of Russia", with its simple but insanely catchy hooks.

"Propaganda" is another great album by Melotron, albeit with some redundant tracks. The strong numbers on the disc are truly irresistible, while two or three tracks are forgettable at best. Their electropop VIP penthouse memberships are in no danger of being revoked, though.

NIKLAS FORSBERG

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