Smoke
Reviews | Telepathy Reviews
Reviews
Smoke
Review
in the German magazine Expuls July 1999:
The bands from the "FRANK MARK ARTS" label are well known at the Expuls-team.
But in contrast to the previous albums the new CD "SMOKE" convinces
with its vocals and the synthi-pop. Reminds a little of "Depeche Mode".
Also we note a change from the "soundscape CD" to the absolute chart-suitable
CD. "SMOKE" will not only fill "Depeche Mode Fans" with enthusiasm,
but also captivates with its technical perfection, which shows their
knowledge how to handle computer and synthi. 12 songs, which offer
absolutely high level synthi-pop. Recapitulation: I take my hat off
to that! Worth to visite: http://www.frank-mark-arts.com
[noki] [31-Aug-99]
Review
in the German city magazine "Regensburger Stadtzeitung" No.8/9 Aug/Sep
1999:
CASUALTY PARK is a duo from California. They already got good reviews
with their production "Telepathy" from 98, and the new CD confirms
this positive impression. Their sophisticated pop-wave-sound is very
original, although in several songs the influence of David Sylvian
is visible, and also some rhythmic elements quite reminds one of Depeche
Mode. Altogether an album that certainly will also find its fans here.
[No.men] [30-Aug-99]
Review
in the German music magazine inMusic No.7 June 1999:
Behind the project CASUALTY PARK are the art-sound-creators Martin
Birke (voc.,dr., keys) and Aaron Kinney (keys, g). Their elaborate
complex compositions have their origin in the eighties pop-wave, but
are also enhanced by saxophone ("1000 Days of Desire") and tricky
midi-beats ("Come to the Sea"). An odd mix of styles, which already
caused sensation in American dance theaters and the club scene. "Smoke"
mainly contains records from 1995. It's a remastered version of the
CD "Killjoy" - the classic of the band - enhanced with two new takes.
Peculiarly recommended is the moody title-track "Smoke" with its hymnal
voice-flow, its lively synth-beats and Martin's wonderful voice. For
friends of intelligent minimal-electronic-dark it's recommended to
visit Casualty's Park.
( * * * * * / 5 of 6 stars)
[Rainer GuŽrich] [15-Aug-99]
Review
in the German music magazine Auf Abwegen No.27 Spring/Summer 1999:
I had memories of CASUALTY PARK with their previous CD ("Telepathy"),
where they dedicated much more to Jazz. Now the new release SMOKE
brings Cold-Electro-Pop, which seems to be in the tradition of thoughtful
british pop-heros. Gary Numan or also Echo & The Bunnymen could
have been the force behind. Come to the Sea, with rolling strings,
and the beautiful running riot Pray for Rain are the highlights of
an album, which essentially subscribes to decent melancholy in perfection.
Check it!
[Zipo] [15-Aug-99]
Review
in the German music magazine Zillo 5/99:
A CD to listen intensive. The rhythms are too complex to listen to
them only by the way. CASUALTY PARK attend to New Wave of the eighties.
Memories of the late John Foxx, Bill Nelson or also of unruly mid-eighties
Depeche Mode come into my mind. Keyboards dominate and the almost
sterile sound contributes also to the unreal atmosphere of this album.
In "Want for Nothing" you suddenly can hear Residents-style (no copy!).
CASUALTY PARK make involved, thought-out and complex music. They merge
the Progrock of the seventies with Wave of the eighties. SMOKE is
a fascinating CD, full of ideas and surprising turns. Excellent and
often hypnotical. For people, who are able to listen intensive.
[Norbert Sonderfeld] [6-May-99]
Review
in the German music magazine FATAL UNDERGROUND No. 4/99:
When I put the CD into my player, I thought at once to check, if I
mixed that CD with another, because I had the feeling to hear "Depeche
Mode". But it's CASUALTY PARK, a band from San Francisco, which goes
towards Electro-Pop with a portion of wave. They are very relaxed
but not boring. The tracks are very exciting with a lot of samples,
which lead their music far away from any trend. A neat calmness surrounds
each song and creates an atmosphere, which primary doesn't encourage
to dance but instead to listen intensive. The brilliant vocals in
every way remind totally of "Depeche Mode" and shows variations only
in some distorted parts. Vocals and melody form an inseparable whole.
A light "catchy record" e.g. is "Smoke" in which you also can hear
female voices. A beautiful soothing piece of music, which fills the
audience with enthusiasm because of its permanent merging of melodies
and samples.
[6-May-99]
Review
in the German music magazine Sound Base 4/99:
CASUALTY PARK's "Smoke" is musical fireworks, which is self-willed
and doesn't permit habitual ways of thinking about music styles. The
music is a symbiosis of ambitious pop, polished electro-elements and
a portion of (dark) wave atmosphere. Here we already can see clearly,
that the both Americans Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney enjoy variety.
Only the opener "Killjoy" wasn't completely convincing for me because
of its abrupt breaks. The strong point of CASUALTY PARK are more melodies
and mysterious moods, which also get more originality by use sparingly
saxophone. The results are fantastic catchy records like "Census"
or "Pray For Rain" (best recommendation for listening!). Several records
were made without vocals like the tracks "Fearless" and "Ice", which
were composed for dance theatres, and which really have their own
great attraction. CASUALTY PARK is strongly recommended for your collection!
[MiH] [18-Apr-99]
Review
in the German music magazine sound.de 3/99:
The roots of this San Francisco based wave/pop duo seem to be deep
in the eighties. Depeche Mode and OMD spontaneously come into my mind.
Minimalistic hypnotical electro-pop occasionally enhanced with guitar
rifs and saxophone solo. In "Want for Nothing" it almost becomes avantgardistic,
a monotone snaredrum makes the beat, and a distorted dark voice recites
with a funky guitar. This explanation sounds weird? So it is! The
best moments of CASUALTY PARK are always when they turn to the eighties
wave-pop like in "Killjoy" or "Pray for Rain". A more lavish production
of this release would have been better in my opinion. Conclusion:
Depeche Mode influenced eighties wave-pop
[gw] [18-Apr-99]
Review
in the German music magazine BLACK No.15 Spring/99:
Almost a year ago, I commended CASUALTY PARK's last release 'Telepathy'.
Peculiarly their self-willed compositions, sometimes with nice pop
tunes, were convincing. 'Smoke', the new and meanwhile fourth album
of this band, continues exactly there, where 'Telepathy' stopped and
proceeds the concept of avant-garde-pop in a clear line. While on
'Telepathy' there are by turns songs and instrumentals, on 'Smoke'
the number of instrumentals are reduced to a quarter. Only 3 of 12
tracks are without vocals this time. The remaining 9 compositions
show a distinct trend to synthie-pop. But they are not too far away
from avantgarde-pop because of their well-developed extravagant arrangements
and strange tracks like "Want for Nothing". But there's a tendency
I like very much: songs like "Lives in Trade", "Smoke" or "Pray for
Rain" evoke me good memories of CAMOUFLAGE (I don't want to say that
they sound the same), and "Come to the Sea" could also be of DEPECHE
MODE. Beautiful album and a big step forwards. Additional point for
aesthetic-ambitious cover design. Total playing time 43:13 minutes.
[Frank Neumann] [3-Apr-99]
Review
in the Belgian music magazine "SIDE-LINE" No.26 March/April 99:
Here comes the new album by the American duo CASUALTY PARK. Martin
Birke and Aaron Kinney sharpen their sound, making again their moody
image somewhat more distinct and efficient than before. It's indeed
that unique type of emotions released by their songs which constructs
their identity as a band. CASUALTY PARK do not make easy pop music
with senseless tunes and insipid dŽjˆ-vu melodies. Their songs get
catchy after a couple of listens only, you know this kind of songs
slowly growing on you, whose full meaning is only progressively unveiled.
Through this new album, in many aspects they evoked me good memories
of bands like Japan, Brian Eno or yet Escape with Romeo. It's that
special mixture of good old "wave" atmosphere with an exploring modern
pop sound (don't get me wrong: no dance beats and electronic grooves
here though!) that fascinates you in their work. A very open-minded
approach of melodic music that is maybe not clichŽ enough to please
the average listener. A pleasant album worth a listen.
[SŽba Dolimont] [26-Mar-99]
Review
in the German Synthie-Pop Fanzine "e-lectric" March 99:
We already introduced the duo CASULTY PARK from San Francisco to you
with their release "Telepathy" last year. Their new album "Smoke"
contains - beside two new songs - the new mastered contents of the
release "Killjoy" which only was available in the USA. Casualty Park
make soothing, unexcited wave-pop, very relaxed and accompanied neat
electronic as well as acoustic. You will not find a really catchy
record on "Smoke" and there are also no breathtaking sounds, but there's
a lot of rhythmical flowing music to relax and to get deep in thoughts.
Recommended to listen.
[Andreas Wolf] [17-Mar-99]
Review
in Doppelpunkt - German magazine for culture in Nuernberg-Fuerth-Erlangen
No.3 99:
The duo CASUALTY PARK from San Francisco unmistakable go for Depeche
Mode, so you know what you will get with "Smoke", a lot of melodic
electronic with gloomy vocals, discreet guitar inserts and minimalistic
interludes with quite a lot of weltschmerz, which sure will tempt
some "tombies" to the dance floor. Thanks perfect recording technique
all this might be also interesting for computer freaks.
[Fritz] [12-Mar-99]
Review
in the German music magazine "Sonic Seducer" March 99:
If I wouldn't know it better, I would say, Wire and Depeche Mode came
together to release a record at Mute. But I know it better: CASUALTY
PARK come from San Francisco and make music, which can be best described
as Wave-Pop, where I stress on Wave. Their songs are relaxed, not
boring, but extremely exciting. Keyboards, guitars and samples are
used mostly to create beautiful songs away from common habits of listening.
"Smoke" is not a record for mad dance parties, I think openings of
exhibitions would be a more appropriate ambience. But also home is
best to listen CASUALTY PARK, conscious as well as listening in the
background. CASUALTY PARK - Intelligent-Wave from the States.
[Thomas Abresche] [23-Feb-99]
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Review
in e-lectric Oct.98 - Synthy-Pop Fanzine:
Casualty Park from San Francisco is another project of the musician
Martin Birke of Sandbox Trio. In contrast to the music of the Trio
he and his partner Aaron Kinney turn more to pop, enriched with sound
effects and also ambient athmospheres. "West Texas", also as CD-ROM-videotrack
on the CD, stands out peculiarly as catchy song with very pleasant
vocals. In all nine tracks you can hear different influences, african
appearing rhythms ("Machines in the Congo" or "Little Secrets"), flowing
synthesizer-arrangements ("Lonely Verbatim"), jazz elements and acoustic
guitar. In the last track "Cut Throat" finally a relationship to Kraftwerk
at their Electric CafŽ-Phase can be recognized. An interesting album,
which combines apparent different music styles in an excellent way.
[Andreas Wolf]
Review
in OBLIVION Sept. 98 - Industrial/Darkwave/Experimental Webzine from
Scotland:
Casualty Park consists of Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney from San Francisco.
Quite a variation of music is evident on this album - from dub avant
garde pop, to rhythmic tribal tunes, and a bit of everything inbetween.
It may sound quite unusual, and yes it is! However it is very listenable.
The vocals of Birke contrast nicely with the music, sounding a little
like Dave Gahan out of Depeche Mode in places, and really work well
with the different styles on show. Take the opening track Telepathy
for instance; the background is dub, offset with a staccato drum pattern
and an insistent piano line. This really is bloody hard to describe!
There is guitar there too wailing away but you tend not to notice
it behind the interesting vocals which change from clear to the sung
down a telephone line effect. Little Secrets shows another rather
different side with layered rhythmic tribal percussion (which sounds
as if it is being played live!). It is very hypnotic and you slowly
find yourself drifting away. West Texas is the mooted pop tune here
(relatively speaking!) and has some Spanish styled guitar to infiltrate
the pop hook. Different and good. A really well done little album,
which bridges the gap to the experimental scene and gives the listener
something new.
[Graeme]
Review
in Auf Abwegen No.25 Summer 98 - The Magazine for Music & Culture/Germany:
Now here is it, the new CD from Aaron Kinney and Martin Birke, which
I like not only due to the enthusiasm of both VERY gifted musicians
and the very nice harmonic sequences of the guitars and synthesizers,
but also because they do not serve specific clichŽs and so it's simply
good because of its originality. Faded guitars here go hand in hand
with very smart and sensitive vocals, which reminds me in some parts
of David Sylvian or Wolfsheim, but from the point of view of genius
they make above named important musicians aware of what's further
possible. The CD is relaxed through and through. Nothing seems to
be affected or copied. Also regarding the arrangements of the songs
they didn't spare neither trouble nor expense. They sound more polished
and inspired than those of their putative ideological forerunners
and therefore speak for themselves. The only disadvantage of this
CD is its playtime of about only 33:30 minutes, which lies very much
in the "red area" for a CD. However don't miss to make a soundcheck.
It's worth!!
[Ralph Rastert]
Review
in EQUINOXE 7/98 - Music Magazine from Chemnitz/Germany:
... Casualty Park is an American duo (together with some comrade-in-arms),
who make incredible relaxed music. It seems these guys recently listened
a lot of drum'n'bass. From this comes out an album with something
like popsongs ("West Texas" or "Telepathy"), odd saxophone escapades
("Machines in the Congo") and some other sounds, which are ideal for
relaxing. For example worth to listen is "I Love a Parade" in a "spoken
word"-style presented lyric. Unfortunately the album only has a length
of 33 minutes and the vocals, compared (mistakenly) with David Sylvian
by the record company, are a problem for me; because in contrast to
the music the vocals appear a little trivial to me. However this doesn't
matter, "Telepathy" is a good album, and the part of our readership,
who is not afraid to get in contact with other styles, should not
miss to listen into this release.
[Michael Gšttert]
Review
in ENTRY No.25 6/98 - Magazine for Dark Music, Cult(ure) and Avantgarde/Germany:
This is a further release of the label FRANK MARK ARTS, which until
quite recently I didn't know. It seems the doers of this label are
not interested to release music which is easy to consume. Although
this album is far more approachable than that one of Roman Leykam
and Frank Mark ("Instant Influx"), this one also isn't easy to listen.
The atmosphere of this album reminds me (more than the music itself)
a little of Nick Cave or 'And Also The Trees'. The songs are mostly
stately and get their tension by the interaction of vocals and music,
which is dominated by bass and guitar. The musicians Martin Birke
and Aaron Kinney as well as their band Casualty Park until quite recently
were unknown for me, although they work together since a couple of
years and also "Telepathy" isn't their first release. Informations
about this can be found in the website of the band, which also is
attached on the CD (a clever idea and to recommend it as an example!).
There you can find infos, lyrics, stories and a lot of images as well
as a video of the band. I like the music as well as the whole concept
very much - this CD could be inspirying for some people in different
ways.
[Achim Zeileis]
Review
in sound.de 4/98 - webmagazine/Germany :
Casualty Park consists of Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney - who live
in sunny California (where else?) - make music in the area between
pop and drum and bass. The nine songs of their album "Telepathy" are
all very remarkable, with alot of breaks and creative synthie-sounds.
A Good mixture of ambient synthesizers and strong DepecheMode beats.
[Michi]
Review
in Zillo 4/98 - Music Magazine/Germany :
... Casualty Park consists of the two electronicians and multiinstrumentalists
Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney, who recorded this CD with three guests,
who contribute guitar, bass, saxophone and trumpet on several tracks.
Their music isn't easy to describe. It's a kind of psychodelic avantgarde-
and progressive rock with distinct undertones. Suggestions of 'wave'
we find distinctly e.g. in "West Texas" and 'no-wave' in "Spirit Box",
while percussion dominated songs with a touch of trance wait for us
as in "Little Secrets". Great is always the way, how acoustic instruments
and electronics as well as modern techniques and tribale moods are
elaborately interwoven. Best example for that and my favorite, but
too short song of the CD is "Killers", which shows best the infectious
power, enjoyment in playing and inventiveness.
[Joe Asmodo]
Review
in BLACK No.11 4/98 - The alternative Music Magazine from Darmstadt/Germany:
Not very usual, what we get from Aaron Kinney and Martin Birke on
this CD. "Telepathy" already is the third CD of the duo and contains
9 titles. 4 instrumental compositons and 5 songs with vocals, which
are eccentric and self-willed but nevertheless have a certain character
of pop. The use of a lot of percussions, acoustic guitar and the interplay
of normal and vocoder vocals cause songs full of excitement and complexity.
A comparison with other bands makes no sense, because all songs are
very different. E.g. "West Texas" sounds like THE THE, "Cut throat"
like ARCADIA meets CLOCK DVA and it seems as if "Lonely verbatim"
is a treatment of DEPECHE MODE's "Stripped". There's a lot going on
on this CD, but who wants more can also get an opulent CD-ROM-part.
Here one can find the bizarre video of the song "West Texas" as well
as a lot of photos, the lyrics of "Telepathy" and infos about the
band. ... It's worth to listen! Playing time 33:30 min.
[Frank Neumann]
Review
in INDIGO NOTES /Germany 4/98 No.51:
... The both heads of Casualty Park, Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney,
live in the sunny San Francisco. If one opens to their music, we get
the impression that San Francisco lays under a pleasant shady solar
eclipse for some months ... Strange, how US-american ambient arrangements
can sound with a touch of Depeche Mode and David Sylvian. But only
sometimes. The most of "Telepathy" is very experimental and comes
in an eccentric way. Jazz fights with unwieldy rhythms and krautrock
meets electronic wave. Hard to estimate, what the orientation for
Casualty Park is, maybe perhaps Tortoise and Kreidler, but mainly
they show a distinct own style. In addition to the most popular track
'West Texas', there's also a bonusvideo in CD-ROM-format on this CD.
Although "Telepathy" is not easy to listen, on the other hand it's
an important progress of the hazy definition of "Ambient" in our mind.
Get it!
[Stefan Roos]
Review
in Gitarre&Bass 4/98 - 'The Musician Specialist Magazine'/Germany:
The multiinstrumental musicians Martin Birke & Aaron Kinney, alias
CASUALTY PARK, make a strange kind of minimal pop music : "Telepathy"
is their fourth CD, in which they combine sample technology with handmade
philosophy. Unbelievable that the origin of this music is in the sunny
California - it reminds one more of british pop coolness of the 80th
and NY/European nervous Jazz Avantgarde. Crazy!
[Lothar Trampert]
Review
in logo 3/98 - City Magazine from Regensburg/Germany:
"Telepathy" by CASUALTY PARK: Behind this music project from San Francisco
primary are Martin Birke and Aaron Kinney, who show us on this CD
an unusual fusion of different styles, somewhere between pop, dance
and drum'n'bass. Even if one has to get accustomed to the songs, they
are interesting to listen.
Review
in FOYER 3/98 - Magazine for Culture in the Ruhrgebiet/Germany- under
Pop/Discoveries:
... their newest CD "Telepathy" presents nine stylistic totally different
songs. Common to all songs is a very self-willed interpretation of
the word pop. Almost eccentric is the experiment, to combine classical
guitar arrangements with sampling techniques and to give the songs
a totally new direction in this way. In spite of all experiments the
result remains extremely pleasant. At first the songs seem to be a
little unwieldy, but while listening, the music becomes more and more
familiar not least because of the vocals of Martin Birke who reminds
one of David Sylvian.
[Ulrich Radespiel]
Review
in Guide Berlin /Germany No.127 2/98 :
Something not very sunny from San Francisco. An experimental, almost
metaphysical rhythm and synthi shamanism with Martin Birke who seems
to be 100 percent David Sylvian. Ambient soundtrack, beautiful, bizarre
with a universal style. Telepathy also takes place by a video attached
as CD-ROM on this CD. Without competition. ("Wow", 5 of 6 stars)
Review
in Doppelpunkt No.2/98 (Magazine for Culture in NŸrnberg-FŸrth-Erlangen
/Germany):
CASUALTY PARK makes music for the black dressed people among us. With
a lot of electronics this project from close to San Francisco reminds
one much of dark Depeche Mode times. ÈTelepathyÇ is the best for cold,
grey winter days.
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