Telepopmu-sik is the byproduct of a thriving electronica movement that was started by the masterminds known as Kraftwerk and developed into many different categories like techno, trance, house and the ’90s UK phenomenon called ambient music. But somewhere amidst the past decade’s sudden rise and abrupt end of rave culture, something good came out of the e-churners and bass-lovers — the birth of electronica. But Telepopmusik’s genre is more on the chill side and less with the head-thumping.
This mix of electronic beats and soothing melodies was constructed by the likes of Hooverphonic and mastered by the French band Air, whose album “Moon Safari” stands as a pivotal moment in electronic music.Once Europe’s fascination grew, Madonna leaked it into the mainstream first with her Massive Attack collaborations and then with her groundbreaking “Ray Of Light.”
Most recently, the band Zero 7 reintroduced this sound and now Telepopmusik promises to deliver the same. Their album “Genetic World” is a metaphorical trip into life and cycles. The sleeve is filled with science-meets-life imagery.
The album starts out with their hit song “Breathe,” which is also the theme for a car commercial. An exceptional piece of music.However, the rest of album fails to recapture the wonder of the first song. The album sounds like a mixture of bland light-electronica that all seeps into one huge mold of nothing special. The tracks “Genetic World, “Dance Me” and “Smile” all lack distinction from one another. “Love Can Damage Your Health” might have a chance if remixed and “L’incertitude D’heisenberg” is a confusing ditty.
The album closes with an extended version of “Breathe” and sounds more like a single with B-sides than a complete record. Telepopmusik will have to conjure up another hit to make this album sellable.
For a better example of synth-masters, check out “Moon Safari” by Air and “Simple Things” by Zero 7.
Al-Qatami can be reached at nalqatami@campustimes.org.
