OBSC(Y)RE
REVIEW
COMPILATION PANDAIMONIUM RELEASE: AUGUST 28, 1999 (GERMANY) REVIEW: OCTOBER 8, 1999

Obsc(y)re? Newcomers, maybe you ask? Not really, just a band with a very limited release range.
Now, however, this new compilation is given a chance to conquer the rest of Europe, at least through import or Internet ordering, and if it was up to me, I'd turn Obsc(y)re into big stars. The German trio is playing a dark, romantic kind of synthpop, with the heavenly voice of Anne Wagner as hallmark and unquestionable highlight.
"Review" is a cascade of songs from their three album and three single discography. In terms of music, And One, when they aren't busy clowning around, comes to mind as an appropriate comparison. Obsc(y)re are more varied in the sense that they combine easy listening synthpop with catchy choruses with heartbreaking ballads and dark compositions about fantasy and medieval themes. They've also shown great taste, by mixing German and English lyrics, with the latter sadly having the almost obligatory grammatical lacks. But not to the point that it's disturbing. On occasion, a male singer is integrated in the strictly electronic landscapes, lifting the songs even higher. But it's Anne's vocals that has me enchanted. Again and again.
Obsc(y)re is the name. Memorize, my friends, memorize.

NIKLAS FORSBERG