Burn Your Own Church

Album Review

For those who recall Black Strobe's club hits, "Brenn Di Ega Kjerke," the title track (in Norwegian) of their album Burn Your Own Church, kicks off the set reassuringly. A propulsive rhythm boasting live bass and a ping-ponging synth set the stage, but suddenly live drums muscle in and then — ohmygod — rock guitar, and it's obvious that we're not in electro-land anymore. For starters, DJ Ivan Smagghe has left the building — however, not before contributing a slew of lyrics to the set. But with his absence, what was a duo (still fronted by vocalist/programmer Arnaud Rebotini) has now expanded to a rock quartet, albeit one with impressive electronic credentials. And the electronics remain crucial to Strobe's sound, even as the musicians expand Rebotini's stylistic repertoire. The cover of Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man" is proof positive of that, a stomping R&B monster, like Cream poured into a Delta swamp. "Blood Shot Eyes" is even more muscular, the rhythm pusillanimous, while rockets soar across the sky. In contrast, "Lady" and "Crave for Speed" are downbeat numbers, filled with moody atmospheres and hauntingly pretty keyboard melodies. Featuring an equally slow tempo, "Girl Next Door" is snail's-pace R&B cosseted by iridescent synths and an unnerving atmosphere. Elsewhere, the Strobes turn their lights toward darkwave dance, most spectacularly on "Last Club on Earth," a song that encompasses droney guitars, a post-punk feel, a glittering moody melody, and goth rock elements. Equally good is "Shining Bright Star," powered by angular, compulsive beats on the verses, then bursting forth into infectious Depeche Mode territory on the irrepressible chorus. "Not What I Need" has a more industrial feel and a darker goth aura, all wrapped around an anthemic chorus. Far removed from the Strobes' previous work, this Church pries open the stylistic doors, and the band revels in the possibilities. Crüxshadows is the obvious comparison, but Strobe are far more adventurous than them, an exhilarating blend of electronica, dark dance, new wave, industrial, and more.