Review: Room 1985- The Bliss

Review: Room 1985- The Bliss 


As a fan of the burgeoning Synthwave movement, and especially the artists Carpenter Blut and VHS Glitch, among others, it was with an honor that I got the opportunity to review a band that proposed to mix a few different divergent styles that were among my favorites, synthwave, metal, and prog. Room 1985 are a band doing such a thing, and I see this as a sign of the future way of music. If anyone doesn't know what synthwave is a mix of varying styles of such artists such as John Carpenter's soundtrack music, other soundtrack artists including Tangerine Dream, a touch of synthpop, Jan Hammer's work on Miami Vice, etc- a mixing of retro styles intended to often draw a dystopian "Blade Runner"  like future, but if it all took place in the Eighties! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthwave)

I find it more entertaining and interesting than many of the other popular modern forms, including the overly saturated "Dubstep".

Room 1985, of course owing to this movement but mixing it with other styles of music, almost reminds me of when bands such as porcupine tree and the Madchester bands in the late eighties through mid nineties were mixing acid house beats with their rock and progressive rock.

Gunship is also another band mixing more organic sounds with the modern synthwave mileau, garnering crossover appeal in the process.

Lebrock are another such outfit, in their case, mixing 1980's AOR stylings with their cybernetic stamp.

The album, the bliss, starts out with an industrial like intro before going into the Bliss, a decent first song, if unremarkable. It's with the second song, the title track that propels the album forward much more. A slurred eastern sounding vocal sample incorporates itself with trancelike instrumentation and a better vocal performance and more heavy guitars.

It is then clearly obvious that the album is a concept one, speaking of the dangers of social media and the often strange world we now live in.

As the band has described the concept: “The Bliss concept album starts with a story that is based on the addiction to social media and the impact this has to a couple living together. They ignore each other in real life while claiming to be happy in the virtual world – a common situation here in 2018. The story takes a stark turn as aliens invade Earth, conquering the planet and changing the whole basis of human society using social media to view individual worth rather than people’s actual characteristics and personality."

Heady stuff and good fodder for a concept album I'd say! 

By the third proper non-intro song, I was left with an impression that bands like Room 1985, are actually a lot closer to bands that mixed electronica and rock in the nineties, though that's not a knock on the music itself if done right.

 I felt that way also listening to Lebrock in some ways. I will acknowledge that mixing vocals with an often exclusively instrumental music like synthwave (Even if this is happening more and more) is a tricky venture, so it can often be hit or miss.

Yes, Room 1985 seems, even if unconsciously, to recall the traditions of bands from their hometown Manchester known as the “Madchester” movement, bands as diverse as The Stone Roses or Inspiral Carpets. It's not necessarily the sound itself, but it's attitude that reminded me of this, though as stated before, it's not a bad thing per se.

“Ishtar” follows, and I preferred this song for the first time to the previous two. It has heavy guitars, and the Gilmourian guitar delay swells as well as crashing cymbals to make an excellent track

Even more spacey synths follow, and I was left with the impression that this was what we needed so far, those vintage bubbly synths and then a cool guitar solo.

As for bands pursuing this hybrid style of music, I will say I slightly prefer bands like Meteor or Lebrock but do see the promise that Room 1985 has in store.

“Snowy White” features a vocal line that mixes 80s melodies with 90s style angst. A catchy song, if a bit hammy at times.

“The Arrival” tricks you with surprise djentesque riff, that thankfully evolves into a cool synth wash and better riffage ensues.

This song is among the best, for the different atmospheres and feeling that it shifts through

an operatic vocal part that almost reminds me of the band Nightwish that is a bit overtly placed in the mix. A cool song overall though, and would be a good single or way to demonstrate what Room 1985 is all about!

Things I loved: I really dug the synths and the synth solos.

I dug many of the heavy guitars but not all of them.

I was mixed on the vocals at times. I thought the vocals were done professionally and well, just that some of the vocal lines could mix better with the music.

The production, left much to be improved. It seemed overly compressed and dirty at times, especially with the cymbals bleeding over the other instruments. When a more serene passage came in, this could be a distraction.

The production sounded a bit tinny at times, especially with the cymbals coming out sounding overly compressed with the rest of the mix on several songs. There is a lot going on, so of course it's difficult to mix, but a cleaner production style would be preferred.

I dig what Room 1985 is attempting to do. I do feel that with some of these kinks worked out, they can be an awesome band in a growing movement that is about to take the world by storm..

Room 1985 seems full of a lot of good ideas. I feel that they fall short in the production department, though only slightly, and would do well to have a more unified approach next time, or at least making the different aspects of their music come alive in a more concrete matter.

The future has arrived though, and I fully except them to deliver greater things coming forward!

You can check out the video version of this review at the bottom, and the album is due to arrive August 10th and you can also check out Room 1985 at the following links:

http://www.facebook.com/room1985

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LeuAhgV03elIfSmy09DK4

 https://soundcloud.com/room-1985