Curse of a Modern Age

Nottingham based Method Cell's debut sees them reaching for the dark dance/synth pop baton. Operating in the same air as industrial dance acts on Metropolis Records, the duo craft a rush of catchy angst in the style of Depeche Mode followers VNV Nation, Assemblage 23, and Neuroticfish. Strong self-production, dance-friendly hard beats, and smart, moody programming aim Curse of a Modern Age firmly at the discotheque crowd. Opener "Push" defines everything Apollos Clifton-Brown and Alex Herington are about: crunched and swooshed effects, synth washes, and dopamine-inducing drum patterns. The album's ten tracks are accomplished and entertaining, but there's not much setting Method Cell apart from their peers. And though his delivery rides the usual indifferent, semi-bothered tone of the genre, Clifton-Brown's mildly affected and slightly whiny voice tends to grate with extended listening. Curse of a Modern Age is ultimately a good but only slightly above average synth pop debut. ~ Tim DiGravina