Electronica

New Dance Orchestra is a two member music project featuring Geoffrey Downes (Yes, Asia) supplying the music and vocalist Anne-Marie Helder (Panic Room) providing the vocals. This review is for their latest release titled Electronica.

 

My first impression of the album was that it sounded a bit 80’s new wave. Downes supplies such a light touch to the electronic new wave sound he supplies for the album that it almost sounds generically made, like a keyboard sampler. Yes, it’s infectious in some of the right fashions, but it wasn’t an impressive sound coming from a player of such high caliber esteem. 

 

Helder provides some very soothing and well ranged vocals. Downes and song co-writer Glenn “Ben” Woolfenden provide some interesting lyrics that Helder gives life too, but at times the verses seem almost silly and lacking the kind of dynamic thought provoking bravado you’d, again, expect from a musician like Downes. 

 

In the end the album is decent. I wouldn’t say this will go down the archives as Downes finest moment. Helder holds her own, but the album seems to be trapped in years gone by and lyrically it appears somewhat phones in. As always final judgment is yours. Enjoy.