Melotron:
"Weltfrieden"

Track list:

01. Welt du bist so still
02. Gib mir alles
03. Wach Auf
04. Wir sind !!!
05. Digital
06. Folge mir ins Licht
07. Lilienthals Traum
08. Bruder
09. Stille
10. Reich aus Glas
11. Ichtanz die Weit fur dich
12. Wohin?
13. Gluckich

Total Play Time: 68:57

Information:

Label: Synthetic Symphony

Serial: SPV 085-63442

Title/Format: "Weltfrieden" CD

Band/Artist: Melotron

Site: Melotron Homepage which is under construction and the short Synthetic Symphony page.

Ok, I need some help here with a question about Melotron. Why is it that these guys haven't been signed to a label in the United States? I used to think it was because they do all of their songs with German vocals (with the exception of the chorus on "2 Young 2 Die", found on an earlier single ). I doubt this is the reason considering I am seeing German vocals included in more and more songs that are released domestically (Rammstein, In Strict Confidence, etc.). With "Weltfrieden" Melotron have refined their music to near perfection over the numerous singles and first two full length releases.

If anyone is looking for a simple way to sum up which "type" of music the new album is done like, I'd find myself at a loss for words. I am sure someone out there would place some title like "electro-pop" onto the music, but that doesn't do the music enough justice. Melotron seems to have reached out and taken bits of all the best elements in various musical genres to make this album. It could be the German lyrics which make the music exotic to me, but I believe it's more then that. Each layer of Melotron's songs seem to perfectly mesh with one another, making for music which keeps your attention (and at many times you body) into what is being heard.

I say the CD is "near perfection" from start to finish, except that"Lilienthals Traum" makes that difficult to say . Right in the CD's center lies this track, and so far it's been a hit and miss with me. Upon first listening to it, I could be found looking at the CD player wondering "Did I change discs at some point?". The song is the longest on the CD (at 7:46 total playtime) and is very much focused on the dramatically sung vocals. The music slowly progresses to become prominent alongside the vocals, yet the song continues to sound like it should be part of a movie's soundtrack. I can applaud the Melotron members for making something that is unique and new for themselves, but I find this song and it's style interrupting the CDs flow more often then not.

With that one tiny complaint out of the way, I stick to the belief this is Melotron's greatest work to date. Tracks such as "Welt du bist so still" and "Wohin?" both have catchy choruses, and you'll tend to find your foot tapping to the beat or your body hinting at dancing. Songs such as "Wir sind !!!" and "Gib mir alles" are less discreet in their intent to fill dance floors, yet don't lose any of the attractive vocal sounds. Then there is my favorite song off the whole disc "Stille". Like "Lilienthals Traum" this is a longer track (7:25), and goes with a calm, nearly ambient theme in contrast to the previous 8 tracks. The huge difference is that "Stille" is practically without any vocals. Here and there a whispering voice can be heard, but it blends into the gentle drum beat and piano sounds so well you barely notice. Even amongst the smoothly rolling sounds in "Stille" I found myself completely enraptured so as not to lose track of the song in other thoughts. A true pleasure to experience this song, and easily one to be placed on repeat for extended listening bliss.

So unless it is by the choice of the Melotron members themselves, I again must ask: "Why is Melotron not brought overseas for a domestic label to spread the joys of their music?" I'll probably never hear the answer to that question, but I guess I don't really have to. I know where to get Melotron's music, and shall continue to do so for as long as they keep producing it. They've yet to do anything massively wrong in my ears over the span of 3 full length albums, 2 EPs and a handful of singles. Keep it coming Melotron, and for those that don't know what I am talking about come find out!

Reviewed by Bry'n
10.30.02