THE FAINT DANSE MACABRE ALBUM CITY SLANG, VIRGIN RELEASE: NOVEMBER 15, 2002 REVIEW: DECEMBER 3, 2002

The Faint's "Danse Macabre" is another example in the seemingly endless row of albums coloured by the current synthpop and electroclash trend. The Americans have walked the same path as so many others, starting out as a punk rock band and then gradually working their way to a more differentiated, electro oriented sound. "Danse Macabre" is punk and rock in attitude, but pop in essence. The single release "Agenda Suicide" has enjoyed great success in the US, and they are growing popular in Europe too, with air play on MTV Europe, Viva and Enter as well as attention in the media. It's a fantastic electro-rock-pop gem in the vein of early Duran Duran.
The Faint continue to impress throughout the rather short duration of the disc, with thoughtful and clever lyrics aided by innovative retro flavoured sounds. "Danse Macabre" is The Faint's third album and a bull's eye both musically and in terms of vocals and lyrics. Not for the weak hearted synthpop fans, perhaps, but fans of Duran Duran's "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" will have a hard time resisting this.

NIKLAS FORSBERG