steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
info opinion

Popidiot

"Antenna of Love" CD

Seksound

Genre: synth pop, electro pop

Finland / Estonia

May 16, 2009

Antenna of Love, the second album from Estonian/Finnish act Popidiot, is a seamless trip into the eighties, perhaps somewhat bolstered by post-millennial technological achievements. The good news is simple: the record is pulled off spectacularly and unfailingly; play this at a dance party, and no one would bat an eye if you told them this came out in 1985. Yet, despite its adherence to historical tradition, the melodies are fresh and the rhythms are made for dancing. Perfect subject matter for a music scene where eighties throwbacks are still considered hip.

Depeche Mode is an obvious frame of reference on this slick slice of electro-pop ("Logic," "Antenna"), although one also encounters everything from ABC to Oingo Boingo to a-ha … (and oh, the list goes on). An homage to the eighties as a whole, then, Antenna of Love succeeds due to its melodic virtues. Peppy "Dancing Like an Idiot," dreary "Hanging on Friday," and assertive "Antenna" are all stellar synth-pop anthems, garnished with the sorts of hooks that stand up to some of OMD and the Pet Shop Boys' better melodies. And there isn't a lot of filler on here, either. Granted, I found this record to be less immediate than expected, but once a couple of rotations had passed by I was pleased to find myself humming along. What more can you ask for, really?

N.B. Comes in a beautiful digipak with an awesome poster.

popidiot's myspace

85%

youuuuuuuutube!: video for "logic", popidiot live on tv, "friday's revenge" live on tv

 

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 11 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2009]