Homes & Gardens MCD (Re-mastered,Bonus Tracks)

Album Review

At the time of this release, many beginning EBM acts could easily be mistaken for one another as they put together hard synth sounds using well-established methods. Homes & Gardens by haujobb escapes the blur, using a style and attention to detail to take convention somewhere new. There is certainly enough recognizable in the sound to resonate with other electro-industrial acts. The restrained aggression of haujobb's synth work references seminal EBM acts such as Front Line Assembly or Front 242. But haujobb makes the sound its own by bringing other complexities into play. Quiet soundscapes contrast with the driven main melodies, and subtle sounds are nested in the layered mix. The requisite sci-fi movie samples weave their way in, at times saturating the quieter moments (listen for them in "Yearning"). Other influences are identifiable as well — perhaps as varied as Lassigue Bendthaus through Skinny Puppy — but it is clear that haujobb has its own destination in mind. The mood of Homes & Gardens swells and ebbs, with tracks slowly building to their own sometimes manic finales (such as "Final Race" and "Eye Over You"), rather than simply establishing a beat system and following on for four minutes. Of course there are exceptions ("Tame"), but these tracks sport the same attention to layered detail, making them more than merely catchy. The mix of a dark future soundtrack feeling and solid electro makes Homes & Gardens good listening throughout. This same-but-different feel might be exactly what was intended, delivering a blend both familiar enough to prove accessible and distinct enough to be memorable. Homes & Gardens marks the establishment of a solid and different voice that would go on to become one of the most accomplished in the EBM scene.