For the most part, full-length electronic long-players are boring. Tedious filler interspersed with one or two heavy singles, and generally a lack of cohesiveness to sustain an hours worth of material. Let’s say, out of this year alone, Idealism is the one album to be the example of the opposite result, and I’d presume that’s why compilations have taken the fore-front in top-selling genre records (especially dance music), as opposed to straight-forward lps. Burn Your Own Church takes the same esential formula, (even including ‘shining black star’, which was a decent sized single) but manages to link the 11 tracks together creating an enjoyable listening experience from start to finish, that goes beyond the standard presumptions an album like this might garner.

Looking briefly at Black Strobe, a quick judgement could be dark-electro, tinged with goth-rock tendencies; which wouldn’t necessarily be an incorrect assesment, but its not really fair to write it off as just such. It’s more. It’s dark, but still fun. Harmonic abrasiveness. Accessible but still complicated. Savvy enough to be (still dark) pop, but melodically serious in its tone.

I was previously under the impression that it was only Arnaud Rebotini and Ivan Smagghe, (it was at one point) [EDIT: This article explains], but there is also David Shaw and Benjamin Beaulicu, among others featured on the record. (Smagghe is credited for lyrics in the liners; the other 3 are now listed as the main components of the group) [EDIT: This from the official website explains the group dynamics; past/present, better than I am trying to] Super-producer Paul Epworth lends his production/mixing talent to the album, along with help from Alan Moulder. All involved have given an end result that is tremendously entertaining, both from the point of view of the dance-fanatic jump-up-and-down listener, as well as the critiquing-chin-stroking champion of experimental electronic composition. The remarkable transition to more of a actual 'band' while still retaining the elements that won then a fanbase (electronically speaking) is equally exciting. Dave Gahan, eat yr heart out.

Don’t get me wrong; what I said previously about the rarity of full-length electronic albums doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of exceptions, but it seems that lately, there lacks a real staying power in terms of the electronic album, and the hits are few and far between. Singles can chart, but its tough to market them in certain areas, especially mainstream circles where its difficult to promote anything that’s not an album.

Anyway, if you enjoyed the brilliant Chemical Sweet Girl EP on Output from a few years back (RIP), the Volga Select 12" (also on Output), Italian Fireflies (on Kitsune), or the slew of amazing remixes & other EPs/work that have popped up steadily, totally transforming the bland (sometimes) originals, you will be into this album. Steadfast fans seemed skeptical about how the progression to this album would be after Smagghes departure, and while it may be less dance oriented, and more instrument-driven, there is still a ton to offer from this great disc.

[mp3] Crave for Speed

[mp3] Shining Bright Star (Losing My Laptop Remix)

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