When Informatik's Nymphomatik came in the mail today, I was excited. I don't often receive new industrial music, so when it comes in, it's a big treat. Unfortunately, I wasn't as pleased as I had hoped.

There is little originality. Generally, the songs have the same basic 4/4 club rhythm, the same I've-got-a-golf-ball-stuck-in-my-throat vox, etc. Ten or fifteen years ago, this might have been an interesting album, but I don't really believe this is the case in 2002.

The only tracks which stick out in my mind are "96 Degrees" (a sound scape rather than a club track) and Stromkern's Day Job mix of "Physical Education" (probably because it sounds more Stromkern than Informatik).

In everything but these two songs, the music is reminiscent of video games. That's fine if you're actually playing playing one, but unbearably cheesy if you're not. I feel more like playing Super Mario Bros. when I listen to this than putting on my big stompy boots and lurching around like a dance-mad Frankenstein's monster. And, well, if you can't feel all stompy and stuff, what is the point of EBM?

Another downside is the lyrics. These actualy out-cheese the music. For instance, in "Hopeless," Da5id Din bellows out "Real love is not for me / Too much hurt and too much pain / All I need is a lover's touch / Real love is not for me / In the end / It's all the same you see / Hopeless misery."

Oh dear.

This album was three years in the making. I wonder if there would have been a difference if Informatik held off another year?

RECOMMENDED TRACKS: "96 Degrees", "Physical Education (Stromkern's Day Job mix)"

- Shantel Powell, CHSR Radio, Fredericton, NB

By Shantell Powell
Apr 27, 2002