Excellent stuff

This disc has many great bands on it, although I don't own albums from all of them, but here's thoughts on those I do have stuff from.

Moulin Noir falls in the Dark Wave genre, but they're rather gothic as well, the singer has good range and Maria Calling is one of the best tunes, although I'd have picked Spellbound myself, it's an uptempo feast for the senses, but that's me.

Monolithic is one of my favorites, not only is the music amazing along with the singing, the lyrics have a Christian theme and provide enlightenment, as well as guidance. The vocalist, Midihead, has a knack for putting touching lyrics like those in Goodbye to powerful music. House Of Joy and Maxim are two other songs that are a must hear.

Voice Industrie is some of the best music I've ever heard, it has that same dreamy feel and sound that Moulin Noir has but with even better vocals. I think I can sleep better at night having heard Sky, thanks to a sampler CD I got. This band needs to release a new album, or just re-release their older material on A Different Drum.

Neuropa's great for putting me in a good mood, I remember when I first heard Sins Of The Heart, I felt happier than I did before. In Need is one of the slower tracks, but it along with Bound, True Love Wars, and Skin Deep are the best.

Virtual Server is a whose who of Synth-Pop really. Wide Awake has Stefan Netshio of Beborn Beton behind the microphone. He has a good, deep, melodic voice with character. The album also has Chrissy Franklin (System22), Ross Carter (Blue October), Alan Levesque (Voice Industrie) and many others. If you like great Electro/Synth-Pop with superb singers, get this one.

Blue October is easily the catchiest Synth-Pop band around, I'll find myself humming Casino and not even realizing it. The is another band that needs to release a new album, but their past works can keep anyone satisfied until then.

Intuition is one band that I want to hear more from, a lot more. Upbeat like Neuropa, this is a band to watch out for I think, their song Two blew me away and I'm willing to bet Just Love Me is no different.

Ok, I should stop there since my space is limited. As an earlier reviewer states, this album is over flowing with songs and is perfect for a long road trip or flight. I think most if not all of it is good driving music, and it's always funny to see the look on everyone's face when you blast Neuropa. ;)

Newer Clearer-New Clear Sky

New Clear Sky - Newer Clearer A Different Drum ADDCD1127

While many synthpop releases of late have relied on analogue gear to take the listener back to the 80s, the American duo of Roberts Dombrower (vocals) & Cotnoir (programming) pay no heed to such activities with a second album that is totally modern & very polished (though not in any way sterile) with no retro influences to speak of.That is, unless you count the 70s disco syndrum effects on their cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid".You may think I'm pulling your leg by claiming that a synthpop band would have the nerve to cover such a track (and then add such cheesy effects) but not only do New Clear Sky have the courage to go for it but, most amazingly, they make it work although I doubt many old metallers will appreciate it much!
Basically,this is solid electronic music for the modern thinking with a likeness to labelmates The Echoing Green during the up-tempo "Juice" & "Closer" while the cynical lyrics & musical style of "White Lies" brings to mind the well-respected US band Information Society.
Elsewhere the almost urban rhythms of "Joy & Sadness" see the duo looking around, picking & choosing the best parts of modern electronic music, although even these easily accessable pieces avoid any over indulgence in sweetness.The ethnic voice samples that crop up during the opening "Serenity" are another welcome addition to the band's musical armoury, adding a global touch to the very tight, highly polished backing & Dombrower's smooth tuneful vocals.The rhythmless "Fall" is the closest they get to a ballad & although the slightly punchy bass backing makes the piece slightly too 'busy' to really qualify as such the emotive interplay of heartfelt vocals, synths & accoustic guitar do perform pretty much the same role,ably tugging at the heart strings.
Almost inevitably the essentially modern dance influences raise their heads with "Solveig's Song" (which utilises the theme from Ibsen's "Peer Gynt Suite") blossoming into full bloom from it's dark & haunting beginnings while the stripped down trance style of the closing title track provides a late blast ideal for shadow dancers everywhere...

Worth It, For The Leiahdorus Track.....

...I absolutely love the track from Leiahdorus!...I was already familiar with certain tracks, from other A Different Drum compilations...Somegirl, Voice Industrie....which I also like....BUT, hearing the Leiahdorus, and Intuition tracks, has encouraged a purchase of both their full length efforts.

The Synthpop For A Darkened Room 2 and the Club compilations are also really good....as well as the Synthpop 5 disk sampler.