There's no question that the electroclash movement has taken its toll not only on fans of new wave but the electro movement, as well. To its credit,
1L has chosen to take the high road and avoid the majority of the clichés that surround the fad. It claims that it is '80s-inspired but not '80s-nostalgic, although this is a hard argument to make when the last song on the album is a backwards (but brilliant) cover of
Michael Jackson's classic "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Declarations aside, this is a very well-produced debut record complete with strong arrangements and fresh sound drum programming obviously inspired by the eight-bit analog days of the 1990s. At times,
Nonstop-Programm has hints of classic Detroit electro-inspired quanauts
Drexciya. This is especially evident on "Elektrovulse," which could been fit right at home on many of
Drexciya's earlier releases. At other times, it's guilty of excess. But, overall, it's not a bad release if you are a fan of the electroclash revival. ~ Rob Theakston