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Artist: DOPE STARS
INC.
Album: Make A Star EP
Year: 2006
With the great ‘Neuromance’ release still in mind, all
the Dope Stars Inc. fans went extatic when the news was
published about the release of an EP named after the
most popular song of that release, ‘Make A Star’. I dare
to say that I was one of the extatic people, although a
little feeling of fear sneaked into me as well. Because
I have seen these things happened before... a great
album, then a shitty EP which has been released just to
keep the fans connected to the band and to not be
forgotten. Fortunately, I know Dope Stars Inc. quite
well after more than two years listening to their
preverious stuff, so I wasn’t really scared of getting a
shitty present. For the people who do not know Dope
Stars Inc. yet, here is some basic info. This Italian
four-piece, including members of My Sixth Shadow and
Klimt 1918, managed to become very popular after just
one release. Major label Trisol Music from Germany
signed them, and released their debut album ‘Neuromance’
which became a huge succes. ‘Make A Star EP’ is the
following chapter. Some info about this EP? Keep on
reading the review I suggest!
This release contains four brand new tracks, one new
version of an old track, one extended version of that
old track and three remixes. The kickoff is made with
the new version of an old track, which is (how
surprisingly) ‘Make A Star’. This has always been one of
my favourite tracks of the ‘Neuromance’ record mainly
because of the fact that the vocal skills of Victor are
really brought to the front on this song. This new
version is not very different from the old version, but
the differences seem like improvements. The chorus is
brought with lots more sorrow, which fits the song
excellent. ‘Digital Freedom’ has a more fresh and punky
sound, which makes this song pretty catchy at the same
time. The rock ‘n’ roll sounding intro sounds surprising
and don’t let you expect a powerful song like this in
the first place, but in the end everything turns out to
be good on this track. Also glad to hear that Dope Stars
Inc. still don’t hesitate to crush some brutality in
their new songs! ‘Fast & Beautiful’ is a fast and catchy
track again. Danceable rhytms and a sing-a-long chorus
give this song a certain identity which is kinda
supported by the lyrics. A song like this could call up
all girls in the world to put on their make up and to go
downtown to party. No guitar solo in this song, but an
EBM sounding part in stead. ‘Nuclear Decay’ has the most
agressive songtitle of this album, and the song is the
most heavy one of the release too. Heavy beats and
guitarwork accompanied by the clear and fresh vocals of
Victor and some interplanetair synthesisers. People who
know and love the first track of the latest MXD release
(like me) will definitely like this track too! ‘Chase
The Light’ is less punky and more atmospheric again.
Songs like this one have given Dope Stars Inc. already
an own identity when it comes to writing more deep
tracks, and they still haven’t forgotten how to do these
kind of tracks. Excellent and easy listening track. The
next two songs are a remix and a cover of ‘Make A Star’,
done by The Birthday Massacre and L’Âme Immortelle. The
remix done by The Birthday Massacre is something you
could really expect, but the L’Âme Immortelle cover is
pretty different stuff, including some rap parts!
Musically there is way more sorrow in the track, and the
(for L'Âme Immortelle caracteristic) female and male
vocals sound weird the first time (because you are used
to Victor’s vocals) but some more and closer listenings
make you really appreciate it. The L’Âme Immortelle
influences are clearly hearable, although I didn’t
expect to hear the rap stuff in the mix. I did expect
some more orchestral stuff though, but it will not spoil
the fun that you have when you listen to the remix. Next
track is the extended version of ‘Make A Star’ which
doesn’t sound that much different from the first track
of this release. The last track is a Samsas Traum remix
of their preverious dancefloor killer ‘Theta Titanium’,
which sound very angry and atmospheric. The remix is
very powerful and no doubt that people will dig this one
on the dancefloor.
And so, after 37 and a half minutes, this EP came to an
end. People who dig their old stuff will definitely dig
this new EP too, and I am sure they are already craving
for new stuff. And theywill not have to wait very long,
because according to the newest online newsreport Dope
Stars Inc. are already working on a new full lenght
album!
Vote: 95 / 100
Review by: Gerardo |
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01. Make A Star
02. Digital Freedom
03. Fast & Beautiful
04. Nuclear Decay
05. Chase The Light
06. Make A Star (The
Birthday Massacre Remix)
07. Make A Star (Cover
version by L'Ame
Immortelle vs. Fr!ek)
08. Make A Star
(Extended Version)
09. Theta Titanium
(Samsas Traum Remix)
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