By Keith Walsh
There’s a need for whimsical electronic pop music, for sure. As an alternative to the self-serious synthpop that’s plagued the various genres for four decades now, there’s the playful and fun grooves of Planet Neil, aka Neil Dyer, out of Great Britain. (My interview with Neil is on synthbeat.com)
That last bit is telling. As demonstrated on Planet Neil’s new 5 track EP Imperial Phase, British electro funk artists still have something to say. With roots in the early beats of Germany’s Kraftwerk then fortified with heavier sounds by Heaven 17, Human League, and Thomas Dolby, British electronic funk relies on synthetic basslines and understated lyrics, with occasional lyrical snark.
The opening track, “Imperial Phase,” seems to be semi-autobiographical, as Dyer, who fronted the new wave band Screen 3 in the early 80s, ironically entertains the possibility of being forced into giving up music for careers in politics, administration, or some other form of glorified thumb-twiddling. As explained by Dyer in our interview at synthbeat.com, he copped the title from a famous statement by Neil Tennant of The Pep Shop Boys.
The second track “No Special Order” is a laid-back groove with Dyer’s vocals resembling Barry Andrews’ understated style as he presented himself in Shriekback, another British band. Dyer explained that the brief lyrics were inspired by a troubled lady he met at a public library.
Dyer’s memories of an episode of the classic Steptoe & Son sitcom on the BBC inspired “Waterbed,’ nostalgic piece about “good times in my head, upon my waterbed. Let’s go back in time.” “Overlooked” is a catchy and quirky tune about seeing and being seen. The sometimes atonal synths lends it an Ultravox feel, hearkening back to when John Foxx was leading the band.
The final track, “A Little Bit More” riffs on desire and consumerism and an economy that’s apparently endlessly willing to fill our growing appetites. It’s a catchy, thoughtful ditty inspired by the legendary German band Can, with a bit of Peter Gabriel to the sound.
Listening to Dyer’s vocals across works released since the project’s inception in 2017, I hear echoes of vocalists who inspire him — not just Gabriel, Andrews or Foxx, but even David Bowie, the aformentioned Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) and Neil Arthur (Blancmange). Planet Neil has released numerous singles and remixes since the project’s 2017 inception, and they’re all worth a listen. “Hospital” in particular, from February of this year, is notable for its darkly humorous take on the traumatic nature of catastrophic illness, which as with the rest of life’s challenges, are best approached with a stiff upper lip.
Planet Neil dot com
Planet Neil On Facebook
Interview With Neil Dyer On Synthbeat dot com
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