Radio DCS - I Try My Best To Mainstream

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 November 2012 20:23 Written by EvaLantsoght

Artist: Radio DCS

Album: I Try My Best To Mainstream

Label: afmusic

Genre: Dark wave, New wave

Radio DCS, a duo from Vienna, Austria, have released their first CD I Try My Best To Mainstream. These musicians grew up in the 80s, and have taken their love for this era to the next level by creating their signature sound: dark wave with 80s electronic sounds, velvet vocals, dark romanticism and a few scoops of modern-day pop music.

After the intro, “Voodoo Doll”, the first single of Radio DCS, gives you a taste of their style – if The Sisters of Mercy would have written “Temple of Love” today, it might have sounded like “Voodoo Doll”. “Go To Hell” is the lovechild of Joy Division and the background music of Michael Jackson.

“Surrender” borrows from Visage and The Cure, and uses a catchy chorus to add a hint of pop to the track. The 5^th track “The Reason” is a ballad, in perfect 80s pop style, including slightly cheesy lyrics.

“Little Stitch” combines more of the undercooled 80s new wave beats, while “Underground” could refer musically to the early work of R.E.M. Next, “Bizarre Visions” brings a more modern synth sound to the album to remind us that this is indeed a 2012 record. A track like this makes me hungry for more combinations of 80s with modern synths and sounds.

“Natasha” reminds me of 2 Belgen and their “Lena”, with a dash of Ostalgie. “Hard to Wait” gives more attention to the guitars in the mix, and the final track “Urgent” is the sublime conclusion of the album: an (over)dose of 80s elements.

I Try My Best To Mainstream is for everyone who likes the 80s: it combines elements of 80s pop, wave, rock and here and there a tidbit of modern electronics. The musicians are experienced and their production and mixing is generally well-balanced. Good craftmanship and a summary of the 80s for those that miss the era or where born too late to remember it well.

Check out the first single of the album in the following clip: