Tracklist

1. The Human Touch (5:26)
2. Love In The Digital Age (3:39)
3. When The Sirens Sound (3:48)
4. Computer Love (Kraftwerk Cover) (4:30)
5. Ubik (4:38)
6. The Gold City (3:47)
7. Low-Carbon Life (3:50)
8. My Heart Is Set On You (3:56)
9. You Are Never Alone With Model 21 (3:45)
10. Dial 481 (1:00)
11. Love Technology (4:31)

Love Technology. Computer Love. Love In The Digital Age. It’s hard not to spot Heads We Dance’s main interests as a band and the title of their debut album perfectly summarizes the theme. However, Love Technology is by no means merely a pure concept album. But it does channel two factors that electropop has frequently touched upon since its breakthrough in the 80s. Whereas Jean Michel Jarre’s digital-sounding symphonies in the late nineteen-seventies may have been a quirky way of reviving late nineteenth century romanticism, Kraftwerk really pioneered the concept of love’s rendezvouz with technology in a timely and concise fashion in the splendid track from Computer World: Computer Love.

I have absolutely nothing against HWD’s seductive and modern cover of Computer Love, which they made for Buffetlibre’s Rewind 2 project, but I’d rather see the track untouched overall since I think that Kraftwerk may have made the final and absolute version of it on their 1991 compilation-album crossover, called The Mix. And if there’s any band that could make a cover of Computer Love while not making a fool out of themselves or disgrace to the track it sure is Heads We Dance.

I’m not sure wether Yoni or Pete of the band is granting the album his sweeping and passionate vocals, which is to me a bit playing on the dull and safe side, on most of the eleven tracks, of which six have been released before as singles or B-sides to said singles (and one of those six tracks is merely a one minute elegant interlude). Old fans of the band may however find more than enough reasons to get their hands on this album where most already known tracks have gone through complete makeovers, slight reshapings or decorated with cinematic and dramatic transitions inbetween their mates. You do get the feeling that it’s an album consisting only of singles - of varying quality.

The band has been criticised for having a sound that is unfinished, lacking thought and adequate singers. I’m not as blind to see what the critics are pointing at. I acknowledge - and LOVE - the band for said flaws. I think it’s SOOO relieving to finally find a band that doesn’t try to make a perfect fusion of retro inspirations and the consciously modern (like Ladyhawke or Cut Copy) but instead let the two meet and play on the same ground on equal premises. There’s something refreshing and arousing with classic electro- and synthpop aesthetics clashing ugly with futuristic rave sensibilities. That’s what I have come to love the band for and I am only to love them more as Love Technology unfolds.

The Human Touch fails to be a pure robo-rave track in a poppy dress - and is all the more charming for it! When The Sirens Sound’s attempt at creating indie club pop has its heart in the right place but the brain behind it is slacking. The pimped out version of their best track Love In The Digital Age appearing on the album is far from conquering my heart which belongs to this version. It’s no wonder that my favourite song on the album is the most dreamwavey one: My Heart Is Set On You.

What I love is that the band has really, sincerely tried without giving into irony at all and they have put their hearts deeply into this. For that, they earn my respect and unconditioned love, with or without semi-crappy production and imperfect songwriting which sounds glossy and luxurious.

What it comes down to is basically that critics and bloggers will have to stop being so damn elitistic, extremely craving and so darn fastidious and embrace and welcome Love Technology for what it is. An album dedicated to the wonders of love, fun and modern life. If they’d be able to, I think they would find one of this year’s most charming and promising debuts. Myself, I can’t wait for the follow-up.

Rating: 8.0/10.0

Heads We Dance - My Heart Is Set On You <— <3 (Where’s our Lifelike/Fred Falke remix of this?)

Heads We Dance - Love Technology

Love Technology is released June 1 through This Is Fake DIY Records. Order it here!

P.S.
HDW is the first band in the world ever to have their own iphone app! Those who have been paying attention have been able to listen and stream the album for over a week before release. You can also find exclusive photos, updates and a fan wall where you can send messages directly to the band! Get the app here!