The Eighties are back in full force and this is quite clear to The Modern, a new electro-clash quintet whose debut EP The Eastern Bloc will be the first entirely digital release via Universal Digital Services. But contrary to popular belief, it’s not only the iPod generation that can rejoice when listening to this record, because The Modern’s infectious melodies appeal to a wider spectrum of
audiences, ranging from hi-tech freaks as well as pure pop lovers, to New Cross indie scenesters and to rubber-clad Goths. First track Suburban Culture – on its own or in its cleverlyremixed version – is a perfect example of a synth-pop song with warmth and drama, featuring boy/girl vocals and whose lyrics “Boy meets a girl and the girl runs away, it’s a game that we play in suburban culture” resound incessantly in the chorus – giving that dark edgy feel, and coming from someone who lived those situations of lost weekends, packed cinemas and rainy streets for real. B-side Model 426 is possibly an even darker number, a desperate love song, again with strong male and delicate female vocals, but whose love object seems to be a model numbered 426. And screaming “love me, model 426!” while managing to cause tears in the listener’s eyes, is quite a result. The Eastern Bloc has fallen long ago, but this E.P. could have easily melted it away.
