Please Note: we will not pass on your email address to any third party.
Without even having pressed play, I already had a good feeling about this record. Admittedly, I have already heard one track from it - their debut UK single 'Don't Stop', which apparently "set dance-floors on fire" according to their press release. I never witnessed any of this sonic arson but it was definitely a good attempt at a more accessible Nine Inch Nails.However, it's the latest single, 'Die Tonight, Live Forever', which gets the proceedings underway and, after a tense, electronic opening, it kicks in with quite an industrial sound and a solid, danceable beat. Promising...The first quarter of 'InnerPartySystem' reminds me of what Pendulum strive to do live but with more variation and a much grimier quality to the sound, particularly with the beats. Although this is not to say that the beats are the freshest things in the world. More like they've been pickled but are still well within their expiration date.There is a lull in the middle and I had to wait until the unexpected slow-burner called 'This Empty Love' for further signs that INNERPARTYSYSTEM have something more about them than the wallowing electro mishmash that seems to be a hallmark of their music. The bursts of industrial weight are very welcome though, as the electro melancholia gets rather tired after a while, whether it's danceable or not.The drummer, Jared Piccone, stated that some of their "favourite producers are hip-hop producers" and this shows - the most glaring point being in 'Last Night in Brooklyn'. Almost like they wanted to be Timbaland. Mind you, who doesn't?Overall this record does not have the teeth it should have. Some tracks do. Most aren't even teething. INNERPARTYSYSTEM work best when they wear their hearts on their sleeves and let their metal influences get a better grip. They are a good band with some good ideas but I feel that the lack of interesting programming lets them down. They embrace technology, just not enough. NIN, 65daysofstatic and Muse all intertwine technology with rock music in an often genius fashion and INNERPARTYSYSTEM should have aspired to do the same. However, INNERPARTYSYSTEM are not geniuses. Not if this is their application to MENSA anyway.