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Dark, intelligent, and edgy synthpop often compared to Wolfsheim, Red Flag, Neuroactive and Covenant. Infuenced by the best of old-school (DM, New Order, Front 242, PSB, KMFDM, etc.) and fused to the newer sounds and styles of emerging artists. "Cost of living", was completed in January of 2005. Richter are currently developing material for their second album. ------ Excerpt by TG Mondalf for Chain DLK (www.chaindlk.com) (The soon to be released) "Cost of Living" by the Canadian duo Jack & Lizz, known as Richter, bring an interesting combination of sounds the table. Compared to bands like Apoptygma Berzerk, Covenant, and Wolfsheim, I found some rather undefinable combinations involved as well. There seems to be a bit of New Order and Caberet Voltaire influences on the very synthpop "Come Clean". The follow-up "Dirty Prophet" takes us right into industrial territory showing a bit of KMFDM, 242, as well as the afforementioned associations. Richter definitely seems to create a fluid expression which combines the best of 80's wave and industrial bands with those of the modern EBM and synthpop arenas. They also create a smooth combination of analog and digital instrumentation without overdoing the guitars. Instead they are pleasantly blended into the overall texture of the project. ------ Excerpt by Legion for This is Corrosion (www.thisiscorrosion.com) Richter, a band hailing from Canada, consists of the duo of Jack and Lizz. Cost of Living, their debut album, delivers a blend of synth and future pop, with lyrics that range from the politically-oriented, to the ever popular relationship/emotion/feeling territory. If you're looking for a happy, poppy album, look elsewhere, but you'll miss out on an album with a sound different enough to stand on its own and a quality that is often missing in today's music. "Dirty Prophet", the third track, is a bit of political satire aimed firmly at a certain President and his underlings. "Freedom", at first listen, sounds almost too synth-poppy, with its sweeping synth lines and tinkling bell-like sounds, but when you listen closer, you'll find the lyrics conflict with the music itself. With refrains like I'll be free when you're gone, I'll be free when you're dead and buried, you know this is a song in disguise. I've always found these types of songs to be the most interesting because of the contrast between music and lyrics, similar to songs like "Deep Red" and "Suffer in Silence" from Apoptygma Berzerk. The tenth track, "Alumni", dips a bit too far into the 80's synth sound for my liking, but that is a matter of taste. "Alive in You" adds a touch of the dark, moody sound, reminesent of Clan of Xymox, towards the end of the album. Overall, Cost of Living is an album that was clearly put together with forethought, even down to the fantastic artwork. The sound is not the over-done synthpop style, which is refreshing, and has a decent amount of vocal and musical variation to keep your attention. The lyrics are well written and though-provoking, making this an album you will enjoy on several different levels. ------ Check out the artist's website: http://www.richtermusic.com Track List: 1. Light 2. Come Clean 3. Dirty Prophet 4. Omen 5. My Calling 6. Open Wide 7. Freedom 8. Know What You Know 9. Wish You Dead 10. Alumni 11. Pirate Radio 12. Salvation 13. Alive In You 14. Temple Life Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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