BACKANDTOTHELEFT – Obsolete

I was thinking that, since this is the first band signed to Tom Shear’s label, Backandtotheleft will be yet another Assemblage23 sound-alike. I thought wrong. Yes, there are many similarities (especially track 1: ‘Misstep’), but this new band has it’s own stuff as well. One point rewarded.

Music is not quite developed into full style yet, thus it ranges from synth to goth pop, touching pretty much every sub-genre of electro-pop known to audience. Transformations are subtle, that must be admitted, during the course of ten songs and Tom Shear’s steering production keeps it balanced. One point there as well.

And lyrics must be mentioned: in pictures, composed nicely and complement Darren Miller’s vocals perfectly. Yes, as expected, they are cold and negative, but aren’t we all? Or perhaps the world we live in is a bit too ugly. Or both. Two points given, well deserved.

One more to be added for ‘overall performance’. “Obsolete” has identity and aura of greyness. Being substantially a pop band, Backandtotheleft already jumped over many faceless/nameless/style-less projects without identity that basically are a mesh of DM-esque pale attempts. For a new band, in difficult genre, that is an achivement. Let the fans of A23, Dubok and bands in between be the judge of these words. “Obsolete” is well chosen album to open new label – shows promise and direction. Good job for all people involved in production of it.