Mach Fox- FuturePast

You needn’t look any further than the DeLorean on the album cover to find evidence of Mach FoX’s ‘80s obsessions, but beneath the kitschy surface there’s some decent music to be found. True, some of the songs here are a little too self-consciously retro – “Liquid Rhythm” is electroclash at its worst, and the instrumental “Deadly Curse” may as well be a Gary Numan B-side – but there are plenty of intriguing takes on New Wave and synthpop as well. “77 Hands” is just plain weird, a surrealistic science fiction piece with a touch of early EBM, while “Anyday” fills out the analog bleeping with a hint of ragged punk power chords. It’s the more goth-inspired melodic pieces, though, that best show off Mach FoX’s talents. “Reward Le Fin” is prettily morbid, while “House Divided” has the rakish decadence of Bauhaus. “Resolution White” takes a more poppy angle, with gently processed vocals swimming amidst a wash of guitar effects reminiscent of the Cure at their delicately doleful best. Get past the more obvious ‘80s camp moments, and this turns out to be a pretty worthwhile album even if you’re not sporting a Flock Of Seagulls haircut.

Go back to the future at www.grand80.com.