It feels like only yesterday I was here talking about FiXT and their roster of artists inspired by all things electronic and, in particular, I recently reviewed an artist by the name of LVL…despite living in the shadow of his brother Klayton (CELLDWELLER/SCANDROID/CIRCLE OF DUST) it didn’t stop him from making a go of things himself and in 1999 he released an album by the name of “Devil’s Advocate”…primarily consisting of rough, industrial style electronica, it found itself being re-released this month, digitally, for the first time ever but, sadly, it hadn’t aged well and despite the inclusion of brand new bonus tracks, it was a little bit disappointing…however…we currently find ourselves with yet another reissue; “Denial”. Yes in 2003 LVL returned and instead of continuing where he left off, he tried approaching it from a new angle, ditching the industrial heaviness and the guitars in favour of a softer, synthetic style, more akin to the artists on the roster today…and again, featuring not one, not two but six bonus tracks…does this record fair a little better digitally remastered? Let’s find out…
We begin with “End Title” and while initially confusing, it turns out I only wish this actually was the end, but I’ll get to that…the track itself utilises soft, pulsing synths as we meander through a slow introduction…vocally at times Dan can come across as a little strained as if he’s not accustomed to performing in this soft trance style, some notes seem forced…while there is an ever so brief inclusion of chugging guitar as if he can’t shift old habits but it’s barely worth including, it really is pointless. “Open Mind” is one of few highlights over the course of this record…again steeped in synth but rich in an 80’s new wave alternative pop influence, there’s more of a hook here but it’s subtle, quite restrained and in ways reminiscent of say, JAPAN, especially during the chorus, it’s a pleasant listen. While we’re looking for highlights, “Home” has a far more interesting, up-tempo vibe…it’s incredibly energetic and houses elements of 90’s era dance / house…that transitional period between illegal raves and commercial Clubland style EDM…it’s good to have something to move to! I referred to shaking old habits but, “IELI” returns with the down tuned guitars with a very BABYLON ZOO style offering, but, at less than two minutes it’s less Woo! More…why? It serves no purpose other than annoying the listener by dangling the carrot…elsewhere, there is a Celldweller remix of “Home” at the very end of the album at track 20…yes 20…that again utilises dance-pop elements to provide some easy listening…everything else? Sadly everything else falls flat…
“The Wasted” and “No Choice” are no more than filler instrumentals and add nothing to the album, wasted, yes, and you DID have a choice but you still included them…likewise with bonus track “Holding”…simply unnecessary…”A Satisfaction” runs at this dreary, flat, dull tone throughout, coupled with hushed vocals, it’s a song stuck in 1st gear…so too with “What Free Is”, it just drones along and vocally it grates on you…while “Instinctive Reaction” is like most things here, slow, dreary and repetitive. Upon hearing LVL had tweaked his sound to a more synth-driven project as opposed to the grungy, raw post-industrial style of his debut, I was optimistic…there would be room for a more polished record, more hooks and catchier, more entertaining track-listing…instead sadly we have more of the same just stripped back and toned down…it’s ambient but little else and to be perfectly honest, by the end of the 14 original songs, let alone the 6 additional bonus tracks…you’re left, well…bored. As I was saying, end title…should have left it at that. [4]
We begin with “End Title” and while initially confusing, it turns out I only wish this actually was the end, but I’ll get to that…the track itself utilises soft, pulsing synths as we meander through a slow introduction…vocally at times Dan can come across as a little strained as if he’s not accustomed to performing in this soft trance style, some notes seem forced…while there is an ever so brief inclusion of chugging guitar as if he can’t shift old habits but it’s barely worth including, it really is pointless. “Open Mind” is one of few highlights over the course of this record…again steeped in synth but rich in an 80’s new wave alternative pop influence, there’s more of a hook here but it’s subtle, quite restrained and in ways reminiscent of say, JAPAN, especially during the chorus, it’s a pleasant listen. While we’re looking for highlights, “Home” has a far more interesting, up-tempo vibe…it’s incredibly energetic and houses elements of 90’s era dance / house…that transitional period between illegal raves and commercial Clubland style EDM…it’s good to have something to move to! I referred to shaking old habits but, “IELI” returns with the down tuned guitars with a very BABYLON ZOO style offering, but, at less than two minutes it’s less Woo! More…why? It serves no purpose other than annoying the listener by dangling the carrot…elsewhere, there is a Celldweller remix of “Home” at the very end of the album at track 20…yes 20…that again utilises dance-pop elements to provide some easy listening…everything else? Sadly everything else falls flat…
“The Wasted” and “No Choice” are no more than filler instrumentals and add nothing to the album, wasted, yes, and you DID have a choice but you still included them…likewise with bonus track “Holding”…simply unnecessary…”A Satisfaction” runs at this dreary, flat, dull tone throughout, coupled with hushed vocals, it’s a song stuck in 1st gear…so too with “What Free Is”, it just drones along and vocally it grates on you…while “Instinctive Reaction” is like most things here, slow, dreary and repetitive. Upon hearing LVL had tweaked his sound to a more synth-driven project as opposed to the grungy, raw post-industrial style of his debut, I was optimistic…there would be room for a more polished record, more hooks and catchier, more entertaining track-listing…instead sadly we have more of the same just stripped back and toned down…it’s ambient but little else and to be perfectly honest, by the end of the 14 original songs, let alone the 6 additional bonus tracks…you’re left, well…bored. As I was saying, end title…should have left it at that. [4]
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