X Marks the Pedwalk : "Superstition"

 

The album opens with this long-running project sounding as fresh as ever. The vocals are distinct and have purpose, at times reminding me more of Gary Numan, than I recall thinking back when I used to listen to them more in the 90s. "Final Call' finds the driving grooves that propelled the first two songs ebbing down to something with a moodier pulse. Not as dark as dark-wave, coming closer to future- pop in the overall feel of what is going down here. They have captured some great synth sounds here, it is not until I get to "Die With Me" that they begin to take on a more uniform cadence, though they are experienced songwriters who know how to use the tools of technology to their advantage rather than as a crutch. 

"No More Lies" finds them going to the well one too many times with their already time-worn formula. It's not ineffective it just does not feel like they are stepping into anywhere new. We are 12 albums into their 35-year career, so this can be a challenge. I think the shift in melodic dynamics that are subtle enough on "Ghost on the Tray" to work. What you hear is what you get the songs do not hold any surprises once you get to the chorus and the main themes are introduced. It is how they introduced these themes where the nuance lies. On a song like " I Can't Let You Go" they do this in a more dancey fashion than not. This is done in three minutes so the songs are very compact. 

"Falling" begins to find the bounce of the synth grooves once again replicating what we have heard them do on this album already, The vocal variance is where the hopes and dreams of the songs begin to lie, which puts a great deal of pressure on voices that get the job done, but are not remarkable in terms of powerful pipes. It is where they put their voices that count, and "Who is Right" provides an example of when they do this best. 

At almost six minutes "Home Tonight" finds them wandering out into the album's lengthiest exploration of sound. It's a minute until the vocals come in. The hesitates allowing the mood of the song to simmer to life. The beat does gain energy, not enough to pump a dance floor, but enough for a late-night drive. "Your Voice" finds more balls to its beat, but not enough to be industrial though bordering on it. It however does not focus on the kinds of melodies that make this album work best, and the vocals are more of a texture. I will give this album an 8,5,. they prove themselves relevant in 2023.