Cicada

April 21, 2006

Imagine Blondie jamming with Can, New Order and The Sugarcubes, The Cocteau Twins and Slowdive adding the sonics, with Daft Punk and Quincy Jones at the controls of Paisley Park?s mixing desk - the result might sound everything and nothing like Cicada. With a series of critically acclaimed singles under its belt, one of the most talked about electronic bands in the UK is about to release its debut album.

Utilising live instruments and old skool synthesisers: mini moogs, Junos, Jupiter 8?s and Linn drums as well as guitars, Cicada has a sound all of its own. The roll call above gives an indication of where their sound lies, but you won?t currently find it on any musical map.

The band comprises Aaron Gilbert (also known as Mr Natural), Alex Payne, and Icelandic vocalist, Heidrun Bjornsdottir (formerly of Gloss and 4AD?S Gus Gus). Alex and Aaron have a wealth of experience in producing, making music, and running labels. Both were born out of the electronic scene, but with an equal dislike of musical boundaries - hence their cross-genre forays.

Dance heads will know their reputation one of the finest ?alternative? remixers in the business, taking in Seelenluft, The Source, and Mish Mash amongst others. But when rock bands need a deft electronic touch, they also turn to Cicada - New Order, The Editors, 13 Senses, Depeche Mode, Lorraine, and more, have come to them for remixes.

?Cicada? is a stunning, imaginative debut. 13 diverse tracks stamped with their signature electronic sound, ranging from breathtaking indie-dance, ?Cut Right Through?, ?The Things You Say?, ?All About You?, ?Rollerball?, ?I?m Waiting?; ballsy guitar-anthems, ?You Got Me Feeling?; instrumentals like album opener, ?The Edge?, and ?Electric Blue?; the deep house of ?Harmonic?; leftfield chillout ?Elle et Moi? and ?Cicada?s?, and downbeat laments, ?Can?t Be Doin? With Love? (featuring Ben Onono).

As any fan of entomology will know, their insect namesake, ?the cicada?, thrives in warmer climes, and musically, this band?s retro-fitted atari pop could define summer 2006.

Bookmark this post: · Del.icio.us · YahooMyWeb · Spurl · Furl · Incoming links