MP3DB.pro - No More - Midnight People & Lo-Life Stars (2010)

Before I got to see them live for the first time at last year's German M'era Luna festival, NO MORE was more of a legend to me, who had created the generation transcending hit 'Suicide Commando' that inspired a certain Johan van Roy to call his project just the same. But all those who reduce them just to that song are making a big mistake. NO MORE are more than just the sum of 'Suicide Commando' and ever since their reunion are as creative as ever. Back at the festival appearance, the new album didn't have a name yet. Sooner than I thought they completed everything and now 'Midnight People & Lo-Life Stars' is ready for release on 12th March.

The album starts with 'Il Tempo Reale', only initially pretending to drift off in melancholy realms, but turning out as being an upbeat offering with quite a light mood, not lyrically of course. Speaking of that, Andy Schwarz plays en fantastique with the French language on that track. 'Sunday Mitternacht' is a track I've heard already at that above-mentioned festival. The track is so special because it aurally depicts in a mundane way the velocity and ecstasy of night life how it happens in clubs that could be anywhere in the world. The drum arrangements forcefully executed and the minimalist, black synth accentuation added, the tune moulds a cohesive universe of its own that keeps compelling. The album's title track adds a bit of sarcasm and therefore gets even more interesting for the "lyrical" people here. It's powerful patterns will make it a heavily rotating song in Wave clubs.

'The Kores of Stockhom' drives the car into almost ambient territory. A nocturnal symphony unfolds from your speakers with meanderings of the thickest and darkest nature and reminiscences of classical music. You will ultimately start to think you can see those mentioned silent and speechless kores passing you by while on a midnight walk through that city. 'Warm Jet Stream' to me feels a bit like a psychedelic trip. Its warm washes however inhale a subtle kind of melancholy, giving it a for my feelings strange mood. Add some creepiness and darkness to that and you know exactly how it feels to listen to 'Minnie Mouse Over Warsaw'. Nevertheless, there's an incredibly strong aura surrounding it you simply can't avoid. The vintage electronics and other nice sound gimmicks used on that down tempo effort might be responsible for that to a significant extend.

'Not Far To Go' gives the album a plaintive Western ending. Don't know where that's coming from right now, it just puts me in mind of such a movie every time. Beautifully orchestrated and softly pushing it's like it sends us a longing goodbye. 'Midnight People & Lo-Life Stars' has become an album you couldn't have expected. It's nostalgic, modern, enigmatic, eerie and even uplifting at times. I'd bet NO MORE will leave an indelible mark in the musical landscape with that record. Would be a shame if not.