reax music magazine :: music + culture » Reviews » Melody Club - At Your Service

Melody Club broke into the European synth-pop scene in 2002 with the hit single “Palace Station.”  Perhaps as a nod to their retro stylings, their latest release, At Your Service (complete with erotic 80’s styling artwork) opens with that track once again.  It’s a perfect fast-lane driving song, filling my head with hints of Dear Catastrophe Waitress-era Belle & Sebastian.  I love that I can clearly understand every word on this album.  So many of these crisply produced gems are potential early 90s one-hit wonders.  “Breakaway” churns as if Bloc Party’s guitarist was jamming with A-Ha’s keyboardist all while Kenny Loggins sings in a vein reminiscent of his heyday.  Poor Kenny…

If you dig synth-pop, you will appreciate Melody Club’s At Your Service.  If not… I’m sure Chester and Gerard will gladly accept you back into their screamo chambers of gloom.  Recommended songs:  “Killing A Boy”, “Cats In The Dark”, and “Breakaway.” – D-Axe