Description
Maturity, it's been said, is a high price to pay for growing up. Not so for Bis, who have been growing up in public (musically, at least) since their Transmissions from the Teen-C Tip EP in 1995 and their Top of the Pops appearance in 1996. Since then, the garage-punk sound has been honed to an electronic-influenced studio sheen (Gary Numan
Maturity, it's been said, is a high price to pay for growing up. Not so for Bis, who have been growing up in public (musically, at least) since their Transmissions from the Teen-C Tip EP in 1995 and their Top of the Pops appearance in 1996. Since then, the garage-punk sound has been honed to an electronic-influenced studio sheen (Gary Numan is an obvious touchstone); and though Sci-Fi Steven, Manda Rin and John Disco have matured in both songwriting and subject matter, they've managed to hold on to the cute (in the Hello, Kitty! sense of the word), inquisitive aesthetic that was so appealing all along. On Music for a Stranger World, Bis test the waters by going even more electronic than they did on their Social Dancing album--there's plenty here that smacks of Depeche Mode and New Order, but never so dour as those groups. Instead, this six song EP is full of subtle anthems, singles that sound like quality album tracks on the first listen; it's only after a few listens (and at a scant 20 minutes, Stranger World almost demands the repeat button) that the candy-coated flavour explodes. Produced by the band with Jason Famous, it's a family portrait from a group still determining who they want to be (upon release, the band's Web site asked fans if they preferred Bis's punk or techno direction). Fortunately, it's still fun to watch the trio work it out. --Randy Silver
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Track listing1. Dead wrestlers 2. Are you ready 3. How can we be strange 4. I want it all 5. Beats at the office 6. Punk rock points
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