Fader: In Shadow (CD on Blanc Check)

Band: Fader
Label: Blanc Check
Title: In Shadow

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Band:Fader
Title:In Shadow
Reviewed By:Dave Goodwin
Date Published:24/12/2019

Label:Blanc Check
Format:CD
Release Year:2019
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Neil Arthur doesn't know when to stop, does he? I don't mean that in a nasty way. He's like that next door neighbour that can't sit down even on a Sunday and has to be doing something. More the better for us Blancmange fans too, I might add. I say that because, if you didn't know, Arthur is the mastermind behind 80's synth pop wonders Blancmange who spawned tracks such as ‘Living on the Ceiling’, ‘Waves’ and the ultra brilliant ‘Blind Vision’. Nowadays, as well as having reprised Blancmange he is involved in all sorts of other wonderful things, including this collaboration with Benge from John Foxx and the Maths'. The two masquerade as Fader and ‘In Shadow’ is their second album, which follows on from 2017's ‘First Light’. As well as being a member of the critically acclaimed the Maths, Benge's work includes his own solo albums and co-production with Gazelle Twin. As with that debut ‘First Light’, it was recorded and mixed at Benge’s Memetune Studios while Arthur worked on lyrics and vocals in his home studio.

If you are looking for the syrup of Blancmange look again. The Fader sound is a little more sparse than that and involves a greater use of drum machines. That's not to say you haven't got the beat and dance ability of Blancmange. It's still there but this is a little darker and deeper. The creativity and experimentalism of Benge is obvious and combined with Arthur’s lyrical content it makes for a fascinating ride. Darkness is evident right from the off as ‘Always Suited Blue’ sets its tone of analogue synths making for something a little more sinister. Arthur’s vocals are more troubled and littered with uneasy random thoughts and disturbing emotions, even more so than they were on ‘First Light’. ‘Midnight Caller’ and ‘Mindsweeper ‘are perfect examples of this, finding him at his most bothered and restless. It all adds to the morose and fantastic sombreness that only Fader can fashion. The music, which is mostly created by Benge, is more forceful than the songs he wrote for the debut. A must for synth lovers and Blancmange fans of all types, ‘In Shadow’ has everything you need to make you happy.

Track Listing:

01) Always Suited Blue
02) Midnight Caller
03) What Did It Say?
04) Youth on a Wall
05) Whispering
06) Aspirational
07) Enemy Fighter
08) Mindsweeper
09) In Shadow
10) Every Page
11) Reporting

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Related Links

http://www.facebook.com/WeAreFader
nttp://twitter.com/WeAre_Fader

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Haunting and experimental synthpop on second album from duo Fader, the side project of Blancmange’s Neil Arthur

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In Shadow - CD
Haunting and experimental synthpop on second album from duo Fader, the side project of Blancmange’s Neil Arthur

First Light - CD
Minimalist but haunting debut album from electronic duo Fader, the new side project of Neil Arthur from Blancmange

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