Reviewed by Eric Saeger
Being that this Belgian electro-rock quartet’s 2006 debut album Bring It On had plenty-enough comparisons to Depeche Mode, it’s a mystery why they decided to force-feed themselves Speak & Spell every morning on the commute to the sessions for this album. But then again, like everything else from everyone else over the past 2-3 (cripes, how long has it been now?) years, BIO‘s raspy synths were just another drop in the Justice bucket (not that the crush of overamped Ableton isn’t the face of next-gen heavy metal or something, but that’s another argument for someone who cares). They wanted things to be more 70s and organic for this 2nd joint, and ended up in the direction of Datarock’s first record, at least in the enthusiasm department; all the Gahan steez in the world, nor a guest spot from Peaches (adding some ooh-ooh-oohs to the Giorgio Moroder-fractal title track) can’t save them from being quintessential cartoon Belgians with keytars. Can’t Stop Me Now is like Boyz II Men redoing Zep’s The Wanton Song, and soon enough we’re into well-trod electro territory generally reserved for disposable mall-goths (Like You). Sometimes guys think they’ve invented something brand new, what can you say.
Grade: C+
