Continental Liaison – ‘Analogue Heart’

Make no mistake - Continental Liaison’s ‘Analogue Heart’ needs to be listened to.

What you have with this album is an inspired and eclectic mix of electro (post) punk layered sonic constructions that once you have heard once you just want to put on repeat. From the first time I saw this band perform I knew I was watching something special. Whilst their sound leads you to instantly think of elements of Magazine, Can and New Order to name just three, the music they make goes well beyond that.

 

Whilst the depth of these guy’s knowledge and understanding of all that is vital in music past and present clearly informs, what they produce is very much their own. Visually their measured attention to aesthetic detail on stage leaves you knowing you are watching a band that would not look out of place supporting Kraftwerk at the Tate Modern or Wire at the Roxy 1977. As for their sound - you are just left wondering ‘how come this band have not yet been signed?’

This album showcases the range and depth of the band’s latest creative output. There are many highlights - the vibrancy of opening track ‘Indigo’, the groove of ‘Move on’ and the dark places the tracks ‘Choose’,‘The Prisoner’ and ‘Digital mind’ take you to. Lyrically the album provides some interesting critical commentary of the way society insidiously pressurises the individual to conform whilst also celebrating the power of music and creativity to liberate and empower.

Whilst it was hard to choose, ‘Parade of Fools’ and ‘The Collector’ are the stand out tracks with the synth, guitar work and vocal delivery really showing how this band can play and produce powerful material of the highest order. With the album reprising the mesmerising ‘Rules Okay’ near the end and then finishing with the personal observations of ‘Reflective Part 1’, you feel you have really listened to a complete, finely constructed album that clearly has its heart in the analogue experience. I, for sure, will be first in the queue if ever ‘Analogue Heart’ finds its rightful place on vinyl!

https://continentalliaison.co.uk/

Pete Shepherd - July 2023