NamNamBulu - Expansion
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During spring clean-up I found an interesting, long-forgotten CD - 'Expansion EP' by NamNamBulu. After a few quite turbulent years for the band (breakup in June 2005) I've decided to come back to their works and learn about their new, mature style.
NamNamBulu was a Swedish-Danish synth pop project which was known for their rythmic and monotonous club beat and, typical of the genre, instrumental parts. Henrik Iversen was responsible for the one of the most recognizable vocals and Vasi Vallis for arrangements.
'Expansion EP' is the first album released after success of the band's first LP - 'Distances' (containing a well-known hit - 'Memories') in 2003.
The first listening forced me to take a few days off from the EP. I had to consider the new style and re-learn the characteristic sound of NNB. After this time I realized that the new band's CD is a quite nice change from my beloved harsh electro.
'Expansion EP' contains 6 new tracks and 4 remixes (some well-known songs as 'Now or never') The adventure with this CD starts with composition called ‘Faces’, which isn't my favourite because of the keyboard part and Henrik's trembling voice. A positive aspect are much stronger beats than the ones in ‘Distances’. After all I find the track very monotonous and boring.
The further I went the more clearly I realized that this is the fresh and mature NNB style. Next track called 'Game' takes listener into the new synth pop world. Delicate club intro doesn't seem to be one of the greatest dance songs I've ever listened to. Quite surprising!
Each next minute of 'Expansion EP' reminded me of the lonely evening walks in the city of hundred bridges and thousands of passing people. 'Zeit' left me in an incredible mood. Sad vocals and dance syth pop keybord track make a wonderful contrast that is the essence of the genre. In my opinion this is the best song of 'Expansion EP'. Every band in the world should be jealous of NamNamBulu's perfection which makes an amazing atmosphere.
"Forgiving" takes the listener into the:SITD: world with strong and aggressive vocals lent by Carsten Jacek. I can't imagine Henrik's natural voice as distorted and dirty as Carsten's with a soft synth part in the background. This is the sound of true mystery and horror. 'Will you forgive me again?' There is nothing to forgive, guys! Great job!
Number five is 'Perspective' - a completely fresh composition. It goes away from the conception of synth/future pop and strikes toward a strong EBM. The only difference is the melancholic vocals. Massive beat has become a recognizable feature of the EP. Trance synth track takes to the higher level of the dancefloor.
Here comes the number six on the list - 'Transcendenting'. Honestly, I'm shocked. I didn't even expect that kind of sound from NNB. Synth intro reminds of the industrial world. I was expecting quiet, peaceful vocals... and here it is! Henrik speaks the lyrics about OBE so calmly and softly. Listener can almost visualize this amazing experience. Perfect sound stays for a long time in the memory, although after a few times of listening the track becomes monotonous.
The next 4 copositions are the remixes. First comes 'Faces (WHS Remix)'. It's focused on the strengthening the position of the vocals and keyboard section. The track becomes more attractive and takes listener on the dancefloor. It's a good rest for a philosophy overloaded mind. In my opinion 'Forgiving (Transformation remix)' ranks lower than the original one. It isn't as aggressive as the original version. Nevertheless it's still pleasant to listen.
'Expansion EP' could never have existed without the branded band's song - 'Memories' in its new, stronger club mix. Fresh beat is much more aggressive and stronger than the original. It really brings memories from the duo's last CD. It makes the listener want to never leave the dance floor. The track is full of melancholy which is definitely proper to its title.
The new version of 'Surviving' is an unnecessary addition to me. The fact that it's focused on synth and bass section isn't enough to make me think it's better than the original. I'm truly disappointed. This remix ruined my current opinion about the CD.
'Now or never (Dopamine Reminx)' is the last and unfortunately least. First minutes bring boredom and tiredness to the listener. Original mix is much more lively. Dopamine version creates a sentimental mood which is simply depressing and makes me want to turn it off as soon as possible.
'Expansion EP' would be a great compilation of NNB songs, excluding the last two tracks which destroyed the totally positive impression. Nevertheless, the album is another great work from the band. It's such a pity that we couldn't see them live anymore. I highly recommend this release to all the synth pop fans to know what the genre itself is.
Tracklist:
01. Faces
02. Game
03. Zeit
04. Forgiving
05. Perspective
06. Transcendenting
07. Faces (WHS remix)
08. Forgiving (Transformation remix)
09. Memories (Club remix)
10. Surviving (Synth Amor remix)
11. Now or never (Dopamin remix)
NamNamBulu was a Swedish-Danish synth pop project which was known for their rythmic and monotonous club beat and, typical of the genre, instrumental parts. Henrik Iversen was responsible for the one of the most recognizable vocals and Vasi Vallis for arrangements.
'Expansion EP' is the first album released after success of the band's first LP - 'Distances' (containing a well-known hit - 'Memories') in 2003.
The first listening forced me to take a few days off from the EP. I had to consider the new style and re-learn the characteristic sound of NNB. After this time I realized that the new band's CD is a quite nice change from my beloved harsh electro.
'Expansion EP' contains 6 new tracks and 4 remixes (some well-known songs as 'Now or never') The adventure with this CD starts with composition called ‘Faces’, which isn't my favourite because of the keyboard part and Henrik's trembling voice. A positive aspect are much stronger beats than the ones in ‘Distances’. After all I find the track very monotonous and boring.
The further I went the more clearly I realized that this is the fresh and mature NNB style. Next track called 'Game' takes listener into the new synth pop world. Delicate club intro doesn't seem to be one of the greatest dance songs I've ever listened to. Quite surprising!
Each next minute of 'Expansion EP' reminded me of the lonely evening walks in the city of hundred bridges and thousands of passing people. 'Zeit' left me in an incredible mood. Sad vocals and dance syth pop keybord track make a wonderful contrast that is the essence of the genre. In my opinion this is the best song of 'Expansion EP'. Every band in the world should be jealous of NamNamBulu's perfection which makes an amazing atmosphere.
"Forgiving" takes the listener into the:SITD: world with strong and aggressive vocals lent by Carsten Jacek. I can't imagine Henrik's natural voice as distorted and dirty as Carsten's with a soft synth part in the background. This is the sound of true mystery and horror. 'Will you forgive me again?' There is nothing to forgive, guys! Great job!
Number five is 'Perspective' - a completely fresh composition. It goes away from the conception of synth/future pop and strikes toward a strong EBM. The only difference is the melancholic vocals. Massive beat has become a recognizable feature of the EP. Trance synth track takes to the higher level of the dancefloor.
Here comes the number six on the list - 'Transcendenting'. Honestly, I'm shocked. I didn't even expect that kind of sound from NNB. Synth intro reminds of the industrial world. I was expecting quiet, peaceful vocals... and here it is! Henrik speaks the lyrics about OBE so calmly and softly. Listener can almost visualize this amazing experience. Perfect sound stays for a long time in the memory, although after a few times of listening the track becomes monotonous.
The next 4 copositions are the remixes. First comes 'Faces (WHS Remix)'. It's focused on the strengthening the position of the vocals and keyboard section. The track becomes more attractive and takes listener on the dancefloor. It's a good rest for a philosophy overloaded mind. In my opinion 'Forgiving (Transformation remix)' ranks lower than the original one. It isn't as aggressive as the original version. Nevertheless it's still pleasant to listen.
'Expansion EP' could never have existed without the branded band's song - 'Memories' in its new, stronger club mix. Fresh beat is much more aggressive and stronger than the original. It really brings memories from the duo's last CD. It makes the listener want to never leave the dance floor. The track is full of melancholy which is definitely proper to its title.
The new version of 'Surviving' is an unnecessary addition to me. The fact that it's focused on synth and bass section isn't enough to make me think it's better than the original. I'm truly disappointed. This remix ruined my current opinion about the CD.
'Now or never (Dopamine Reminx)' is the last and unfortunately least. First minutes bring boredom and tiredness to the listener. Original mix is much more lively. Dopamine version creates a sentimental mood which is simply depressing and makes me want to turn it off as soon as possible.
'Expansion EP' would be a great compilation of NNB songs, excluding the last two tracks which destroyed the totally positive impression. Nevertheless, the album is another great work from the band. It's such a pity that we couldn't see them live anymore. I highly recommend this release to all the synth pop fans to know what the genre itself is.
Tracklist:
01. Faces
02. Game
03. Zeit
04. Forgiving
05. Perspective
06. Transcendenting
07. Faces (WHS remix)
08. Forgiving (Transformation remix)
09. Memories (Club remix)
10. Surviving (Synth Amor remix)
11. Now or never (Dopamin remix)
