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.