Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia
(2007)

Review by Sean Lynch

Download Album Here:
Purchase CD:

We've seen Hair Metal come and go, we've seen Nu-Metal come and go, we've seen Garage Rock come and go, we've Indie Rock come and go, we're about to see Emo Rock be given the arse by the mainstream - and it won't be long until all the fluro t-shirt-pill-popping Electro revolution will be shown the door as well.

But while it's here - I'm at least glad that there is some quality stuff on offer from Melbourne's own - THE JUGGERS!

Riding the road of electro success paved by The Presets and Cut Copy at the beginning of 2006, The Midnight Juggernauts have gone onto become on of the most in demand indie-electro-synth groups in the world. And it's little wonder, as they currently do euphoric electro tunes like no one else.

Making their name largely through a series of appearances on DJ compilation albums including Modular’s "Leave Them All Behind", FBI's "Kill Your Idols" - as well as their remixes of bands like The Presets, Electric Six, Damn Arms and Wolfmother - there is little wonder the boys are reaching such a large audience.

Following a series of cult EP releases, their debut album "Dystopia" hits the ground running with a slew of ready-to-go hits in toe. Ending of an Era, new single Into The Galaxy (try and not hum the high pitched chorus for more than a week after you've heard - it's near impossible), Shadows, the awesome base induced track Tombstone and the mega hit Road To Recovery are just superb.

Normally, a good album can be determined by having at least 3 good tracks on offer. So by my count, five straight up blockbusters before you even get a chance to listen to what else is on offer is a good sign.

As with most albums, there are a few weak spots, most of which here are the slow burners. They simply can't compare to the sheer catchiness of the bigger hits. The question of disposablity also comes up when listening to an album of this nature. Sure, it's amazing right now, but will it warrant a spin in two years time when a line of speed isn't your drug of choice?

As good as the album is, nothing quite beats seeing Vincent (Synths/Vocoder/Vox), Andy (Guitars/mpc/Vox) and Daniel (Drums) do their thing live. This type of synth based dance is sensational with the speakers blaring, the base thumping and the light show in full swing - and with an entrance song like Scorpius (which channels A Clockwork Orange something chronic) there is simply no better live dance experience.

A great album for it's time, but you can't help but thinking that ten years from now, we will all be listening to the synthy sounds of Road To Recovery amidst Boy George 80's singles on Mix FM...

RATING: 3 out of 5

Download Album Here:

Purchase CD: