Rational Youth's third release comes a full 14 years after their second album,
Heredity. Tracey Howe remains as the only original member, and for this album he recruited two young Toronto-area musicians, Jean-Claude Cutz and Dave Rout. The result is a retro-sounding album that seems like the true follow-up to their classic debut album,
Cold War Night Life. Although the sound harkens back to early-'80s
Rational Youth, the band is able to bring its sound into the '90s with current production and mixing. In other words, this record would not be out of place on a dance floor. Howe has dropped the guitar and the rock sounds for a totally synth-based album. And in doing so, he is able to do what he does best -- melodic synth-pop. The record is somewhat of a concept album, based around "the Goddess Electricity." It also serves as an autobiographical album. Songs such as "Ghosts of Montreal" and "Ludwigshafen" are clear statements by Howe about his current state of mind, and the loss of past glories. Howe has always been a gifted writer, but on this album the personal material gives his writing an edge not found on previous
Rational Youth releases. This CD is highly recommended for '80s and
Rational Youth fans, and dance music enthusiasts. ~ Aaron Badgley