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All reviews are copied directly from the source where they originally appeared, without editorial corrections.
In what seems to be a bit of a different step for a Fueled By Ramen act,
my press contact at the label, Aaron Feibus, fronts a three-piece act
that is pure 80s techno. Think early Depeche Mode and Joy Electric with
a killer backbeat and catchy choruses fueled in a dark manner, but not
as bleak as much of the techno-pop of yore. A couple of piano tracks are
thrown into this album to give it a somber feel and to take the edge off
the bubbliness. However, the Aeffect keep things simple with keyboards
and electronic drums topping Feibus’s strong, suede vocals to make
for a perfectly executed six song EP. I’m not normally a fan of trance/dance/whatever,
but I found myself trying to breakdance on carpet and doing the “robot”
to this. Fuck yea! A full-length would be wonderful and quite welcome,
but for now this will have to suffice. -Kurt Morris If new-wave, a late 70s to early 80s genre of mostly electronic-driven music that was somewhere between pop-rock and goth, should make a return to popularity as it appears to be trying to do, the Æffect have certainly released a small six-song resource for how to do it right. Following the lead that bands like The Faint have taken, there are more bands today beginning to embrace the style that early Depeche Mode, New Order, and even earlier Joy Division originated. Technology has taken us far past the point at which these bands first started to digitally experiment, but on A Short Dream, singer Aaron Feibus, keyboardist Steve Kramer, and drummer Brad Bulifant have backed off today's available resources just enough to create something that sounds vintage new-wave. "Oh You Didn't Say" opens A Short Dream with pure electro-pop that resonates to that music hugely popular with UK teens when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. Feibus, when not helping to run the indie record label Fueled by Ramen, has been working on the soft-spoken singing style that worked so well for Bernard Sumner, first in New Order and later in Electronic. Surprisingly simple and straightforward in "Oh You Didn't Say," I'd swear the foundation melody that sounded so poppy and electronic before is repeated in the short, but now stately, piano piece "The Third Level of Existence Pt. 1" that follows. The Æffect can also play into today's preferred emotional lyric while restyling UK new wave romantic tendencies on "Insomnia" with its chorus, "I can't hear you, I can't feel you, I can't sleep at all." And if I didn't know this was an original song, I would have thought for sure "Always Artificial" was indeed a New Order cover song. Strong bass lines and subtle synthesizer chords layered in between rhythmic blips and bleeps sound more analog and early digital technology than they do desktop software and this is a distinguishing positive feature for A Short Dream. More likely than not though, the appeal for this debut EP release is Feibus and his unabashedly minimal, but pretty, singing as can be heard on "Of Truth" which, in this case, sounds like early Tears for Fears circa The Hurting. Ending A Short Dream, "The Third Level of Existence Pt. 2," like its earlier counterpart, is an alternate piano piece that ends a surprisingly fresh indie release on an off note. Although I'm not quite ready for a return to skinny ties, mini-pins, eye shadow, and lipstick, The Æffect are making new wave sound refreshingly new again on A Short Dream. - Thomas The moment you put this in your stereo and press play, you'll be transported back to the 80s, reaching for your hair gel. The Aeffect are indie rock's answer (thought twenty years late) to the new wave trend, slightly resembling the early work of Depeche Mode, but with a modern twist. "Oh You Didn't Say" is the coolest thing of this sort since Duran Duran, but it's quickly followed by the solo piano ballad, "The Third Level of Existence, Part One." The transition is bizarre, but it somehow works, even when the band heads right back to the moody, synthed out pop on "Insomnia," "Always Artificial" and "Of Truth," and then back to the piano ballad, but with vocals and electronic tweeks this time, for "The Third Level of Existence, Part Two." What is amazing is how authentic The Aeffect sounds. The band takes what was cutting edge twenty years ago and somehow keeps it fresh, and without sounding silly. The Florida band uses a three-piece lineup that includes Steve Kramer on keyboards, Brad Bulifant doing the electronic drumming, and Aaron Feibus singing. The music is lush and polished, while Feibus' vocals are dark and lovely. There are six tracks that total just over seventeen minutes, but this brisk little walk down memory lane is a rather pleasant one. (EF) EXPERT REVIEW: In what seems to be a bit of a different step for Fueled By Ramen, the Aeffect is a three-piece act that is pure '80s techno. Think Joy Electric or early Depeche Mode with a killer backbeat and catchy choruses fueled in a dark manner, but not as bleak as much of the techno-pop of yore. A couple of piano tracks are thrown into this album to give it a somber feel and to take the edge off the bubbliness. However, the band keeps things simple, with keyboards and electronic drums topping lead singer Aaron Feibus' strong, suede vocals, to make for a perfectly executed six-song EP. - Kurt Morris If there is ever a band that belongs in the 80’s it is this band right here. Keyboards and synth make for a really big 80’s sound. This is the album you put on at a party to get everyone off their asses so they can start dancing. I just picture this music being played in the background of a club on 80’s night. They say history repeats itself and maybe this is what is new for the indie-rock scene. Bands like The Æffect and The Faint trying to do what The Thompson Twins, Culture Club, and New Order did 20 years ago. Which isn’t to say I don’t like this album. I like it a lot. Everyone bust out your best 80’s outfit and let’s have a dance party. (Fueled By Ramen) -Apryl
What’s even better for The Æffect is that A Short Dream is completely deserving of the coveted timing its album has stumbled into, as this EP would be strong enough to stand out even if the world had a pop-punk-style surplus of techie bands similar to The Æffect. While everyone who’s been around the block a few times will immediately be able to spot the band’s roots – its synth-pop traces its roots back to a slew of recordings that have been kicking things around for the past 15 years or so – the band dives into its style with a refreshing enthusiasm that can’t be faked. With songs that feature a dance-ready concoction that’s churned out by only a tweaked-out keyboard setup and a drum kit, The Æffect is well versed in its electronic pop counterparts. Whether the band busts out New-Order style drum breaks ("Always Artificial") or blows cybernetic smoke rings of trippy keyboards that hint at The Magnetic Fields ("Oh You Didn’t Say"), A Short Dream rummages in synth-pop boneyards to get a perfectly aloof, and terminally catchy, sound. Singer Aaron Feibus’ detached vocals – with hints of White Town’s Jyoti Mishra as well as New Order’s Bernard Sumner – leisurely stroll through vocal tracks, so The Æffect picks up the synth-pop banner as if it had never fallen from dominance in the ’80s. Unlike many of their neu-wave counterparts, The Æffect doesn’t do much to modernize its style. There’s no burning punk anger like The Faint; the organic/synthetic lines aren’t blurred as with Milemarker. The Æffect isn’t simply a revival act, however, as its lyrics are clearly inspired by emo and pop-punk acts, with emo-ish tales of heartbreak and other sobbery, a facet of the band’s songwriting that makes it slightly more human than its predecessors.
When I popped in this cd, it sounded like some band from the 80s or something. What I heard was interesting, but very good. Well, I liked it. To give you a better idea about how the Aeffect sounds like, "J Diggity" says they're like Reggie and the Full Effect, but they're serious. I agree with J Diggity. The Aeffect would be classified as an "indie techno" band maybe? Haha. I don't know. You decide. There are no guitars or bass, but just drums and keyboards, and of course the vocals. This ep is very good, and I guess that I am excited to hear their upcoming cd. I would definitely call this one of the most original albums of 2001. If you're open-minded and want to listen to something knew, check the Aeffect out. RATING: 4 out of 5- *Gangsta Nay Nay* Wow, only a week after first hearing the Faint and being amazed that
someone took the trouble to resurrect new wave, here is a CD that pretty
much does the same thing. The Aeffect are from Florida, and they sound
like Duran Duran, which is only slightly sillier than the Faint being
from Nebraska and sounding like Gary Numan. However, despite the sociological
implications of so many young men emulating a bunch of poncey Brits, A
Short Dream is a solid record, and worth a listen if you like this style.
As for the consequences of "amateurs" experimenting with these sounds, they are few and far between. Though "Oh You Didn't Say" features a fairly weak vocal track (which may have been the band's intention, I'm not sure), after the following instrumental song vocalist Aaron Feibus is spot-on for the duration of the disc. His dark, laconic drone is the necessary piece of the puzzle that pulls the entire record together. As for the rest of the disc, there's a fair bit of variation, which is quite a good thing. In addition to four tracks of the dark new wave described above, we're also treated to two piano-based compositions, one with vocals and one without. While far from revolutionary, these two tracks are a great break from the blips and beeps that make up most of the rest of the EP. A Short Dream isn't going to convert anyone, but the Aeffect's straightforward
song structure and nostalgia-inducing conventions are a good listen. If
new wave is your bag, don't be caught without this release. What a weird name! That was my initial reaction when I got this CD, and from the crazy emo cover, I thought this was going to be a really emo band. I was kind of right, but yet sooo wrong. The CD begins with a weird synth riff, and I was shocked. I'd never heard this in the pop punk emo world of my ears, and was quite spooked. As the CD continued, it was probably one of the most interesting musical journeys I've ever undertaken. From the odd sounds in "Of Truth" and the almost techno sound the CD gives off, I couldn't really stop listening. This music is quite calming, soothing if you will. His vocals flow well with it, and the combination of synth and techno vibes and strings all collide into a calming sensation. Such an odd sound, but I really couldn't stop listening. 2 and 6 are like a two part piano song, and sound eccentric but yet so calming. To conclude, this CD is probably one of the (if not the) most innovative CDs on the market. I'd pick it up just because it's so original! I've never heard anything even close to sounding like this in the punk world, and was put at shock. It's a definitely calming CD though, don't expect to be moshing to it. Overall: 8 Music Quality: 7 My friend David is pretty snowed in on synth, so i thought it'd be fun to let him review the Aeffect's debut release on FBR. Here it goes... Måns This is something unusual as american synthpop from Florida . I'll bet you never have read such a review here before. This CD is made up of six tracks and the songs are quite good with simple but good lyrics. The programming and mixing is OK but not great, there is nothing you haven't heard before, but it is still nice. Vocals are good and it is not the typical David Gahan voice but something sounding more like a britpop voice. Depech Mode and New Order influences can be heard, but they add something to it, something american. I don't know if I like it or not but it's definitly not european. I think that synthpop is on the rise in the US and will soon hit europe in force. And I bet there are some bands that will be really big with the european audience. Maybe The Aeffect is one of them. The CD is good and add something to the sometimes static synthpop genre. It's not the best synthpop around but it is still nice to hear something new and they got talent. So maybe their new CD will be really good, if they just can find a little more distinct sound. Written by: David Nygren-Fors William: Wow, I feel like I just stepped into a time machine and got to hear all the great 80's music I missed when my parents thought music was the devil. You may have heard this music before, but I was left alone and dreaming of the wonderful catchy nuances of a synthesizer, the crisp androgynous vocals, and the non-stop beat. It makes me want to buy a Delorean and cruise to the mall. John: Time travel has always been a topic of interest to me and I have often wished I could secretly travel back through time as an observer. Since I don't want to mess with the space time continuum, flux capacitors aren't easy to come by, and to my knowledge we still haven't created a time machine so I'll have to come up with another plan. But all hope isn't lost yet young bloods. The AEffect have perfected a 17 minute 80's flashback that actually made me fear the last 22 years had been one long dream. William: This trio packs a punch. I've always enjoyed this sort of sound and the Aeffect pull off a great Synth-pop style that reminds you of that fateful decade without leaving you with that leftover feeling that you've heard it all before. Too bad "A Short Dream" is only 17 minutes long leaving my trip back in time shorter then I wanted. Conclusion: This ep is great to listen to and really enjoyable. If you
were ever into synthpop and what to renew your addiction pick this up.
If you have no clue what were talking about and want something akin to
audio crack then take a listen. Remember The first hit is free. INDIANA DIGITAL STUDENT WEEKEND In its first EP, The Aeffect revitalizes 1980s new wave, joining a number
of bands eager to rejoice in retro sounds. With bands like The Faint gaining
a considerable amount of attention and success, there has never been a
better time for this Gainesville band to emerge. by Katie Cierniak Not since The Faint has a band brought back the goodness
of new wave JERSEY BEAT MAGAZINE (print) My initial reaction to this was that The Aeffect were simply attempting to reinvent a wheel originally chiseled by Depeche Mode and countless other synth obsessed acts over two decades ago. However, suddenly I was swept up in the second track, the beautiful piano instrumental "The Third Level of Existence Pt. 1," and this changed my impression of this collection of musicians. This Florida trio can create truly stirring music. This is, do not be confused, a keyboard lovers heaven, as the other four songs (the closing "The Third Level of Existence Pt. 2" is as lush as its predecessor) are techno oriented, but I cannot go as far as to simply label this "dance music." There is a holoow ring to that term which defies this band's ability to convey a variety of emotions. The opening "Oh You Don't Say" has a very different tone than the more threatening "Insomnia" or the dour "Of Truth." I will never be a devote of this style, but a good hook is just that, regardless of genre, and I defy anyone to get "Always Artificial" out of your mind. The Aeffect proved to me that music dominated by machines can still emote earnest emotions. If you consider your a fan of acts including New Order, Kraftwork or Joy Electric, you should check this out. - Rich Quinlan My relationship with Depeche Mode has, over the years, mirrored my relationships
with nations and women. Those relationships can best be described as "on
again, off again", and so could my relationship with Andrew Fletcher and
company. The first time I remember really getting into Depeche Mode was
right before I sank into my "anti-keyboard" phase (don't ask), around
the time of the 8th grade or so. My interest in the band rose and fell
over the years following, most usually in sync with my infatuations with
the various girls I would stumble upon when living in Europe. I thought
I'd put the demons to rest for good, having shrugged off the black velvet
cape for a good number of years, when I found myself humming "Enjoy the
Silence" on a long train ride back home from a weekend in Berlin. Women
love their Depeche Mode, and guys like me love their women. It seems that no matter which generation it is, everyone
is haunted by the Utilizing nothing but a vocalist, drummer, and keyboard
player, The A Short Dream opens perfectly with 'Oh You Didn't Say',
a fast-paced track that whisks you to the dance floor circa 1985 and shakes
the indie and emo right off of you. The next two tracks, 'Insomnia' and
'Always Artificial' are the highlights of the six song collection, rivaling
the material of any actual new wave band. By this point you'll be rethinking
your cd All in all, A Short Dream is what every good E.P. should be, an audio
Who would ever guess you could find great synthpop in Florida?! This
is a really good 6 song EP, the first from this band to my knowledge.
It’s just keyboards, drums, and vocals but it sounds really good
and full. All the songs are pretty much equal, but I found “Always
Artificial” to be the peak track, with its layered vocals and danceable
beat. The keyboards are very pretty and melodic, and are layered nicely
to keep things interesting. The vocals are also very nice, with lyrics
skirting around the ins and outs of relationships. Overall this is a great
EP; I look forward to more material from these guys.High: Makes you want
to dance and kiss boysLow: Only 6 songsThink: White Town, The Magnetic
Fields, Neverending Story SoundtrackLyrics: Melodic, BittersweetVerdict:
Good stuff, pick it up! Wow, this was certainly different. When I saw it was on
Fueled By Ramen I expected something like the Impossibles. In fact I crossed
my little fingers and prayed for something like the Impossibles because
as hardcore as I claim to be I have a big boner for the Impossibles. I
honestly hadn't heard anything like this before. Well, not during this
decade... a six song album of synth pop with one instrumental. The focal
points of this are the dreary, emotional, poetic lyrics and the keyboard.
There's no bass and no guitar on this, just a keyboard, drums, and vocals.
That scared me at first, but soon enough I found myself getting into the
groove... you might say I was feeling the "effects" of The Aeffect!
HAHAHAHAHA! Synth-stuff isn't really my forte but I really liked how diverse
and out of the ordinary the Aeffect are. Tracks 2 and 6 use a real piano,
which sounded pleasant. Track 6 only has a few short lines of actual singing
and then it's a lot of "la la la la-ing" shit that sounds like
it's from Les Miserables, which I found quite weird. All in all A Short
Dream in an interesting effort, not really my style but I enjoyed it.
If you're a fan of synthesizers you should definitely pick this up. It
plays really well on rainy days also. This EP was in the first package I have received from Fueled By Ramen, a label owned by Less Than Jake or at least one of the guys from that band. The Aeffect was the first cd I listened to from that package. So that's a lot of firsts for me. Even though I had never heard of The Aeffect I was expecting something punkish. Color me surprised when I heard the beeps, synths and beats on this EP. There are 6 songs on this album: one of them ("The Third Level Of Existence Pt. 1") is an instrumental piano piece that I didn't particularly like along with the last song which reminded me a bit too much of Radiohead (I hate Radiohead) but the other 4 songs are really catchy. A name that immediately came to mind was the Pet Shop Boys, not in the least due to Aaron Feibus' voice. A long time ago I bought a tape with the greatest hits of that band and I have to admit that I still like those songs. Which is probably the reason why I like The Aeffect as well. I think you could best call The Aeffect's music elektro-pop, even though that style has a negative connotation for me cuz I always think of old and terrible 80ies bands like Kraftwerk when I hear that term. The Aeffect however delivers some really fresh sounds and is really addictive. My favorite song is "Of Truth". I don't think most of our readers will enjoy this, but then again I liked it even though it's not really my thing. The Aeffect is from Gainesville and has been around since 2000. As far as I know this is their first release and I for one am already looking forward to their next effort. Holy legwarmers batman! I'm caught in an 80's time warp! Seriously though, this band is whack. Know alot of people are into 80's new wave an the sort, well this is the one for you. Synth pop at it's finest. But even a hardened hardcore music fan such as myself can relax and recognise a good band when they hear them, whether they like the genre or not. This is basically a throwback to New Order/The Cure/Depache Mode (who I LOVED) and other bands that bring back haunting 80s memories. But as much as hate to admit it, I liked this album. The vocals are good and the music is haunting and dark, the way i tend to like most of my music. These guys have a leg up on The Faint. Why? Because they're actually GOOD. Keep on rockin in the 80's fellas. One can always count on Fueled by Ramen to never fall into a rut of putting out the same ol' stuff time and time again. With a roster that contains no two bands that sound remotely alike or even cookie-cutter in the slightest, somehow, the fact that THE AEFFECT doesn't even use a guitar or two, isn't quite a shock. Why would FBR want to continue to put out music from bands that use traditional rock instruments anyway? The first thing I thought of with this release is that these guys sound a heck of a lot like DURAN DURAN or THE CURE - maybe it's in the vocals, or the ominous ambiance, but this stuff is moody, and not in the bright, sunny, children playing in the corn fields, kind of way. With a superthick sound, and some gnarly keyboard work, THE AEFFECT pack together a mighty sound, but it's just not my thing. There's six song, 24 minutes of music, and some cool artwork to boot. If you're into electronica, but with a more indierock bent, I'd say you should check this out, but that genre is pretty much of out my realm of knowledge. "A Short Dream," is pretty cool, but I think i'll stick to such FBR acts as MID CARSON JULY, JERSEY, THE STEREO, and that awesome FRODUS disc they put out. Rating: 9/10 Has anyone noticed how the 80's music is unquestionably back in full
This brings me back a few years... if you can remember being in Highschool and listening to bands like the Pet Shop Boys and The Cure then you’re going to know just what I’m talking about here. This Florida based trio uses nothing but drums, keyboards and vocals to deliver a totally unique and highly defined sound that I can safely say no one is doing today! A Short Dream, the bands first offering, is a mellow ride through six laid back electronica style songs fronted by Aaron Feibus’s almost hypnotic vocals that draw listeners in from start to finish. If you’re in the mood for something totally new (yet old school) you’ll love Aeffect. For more info on the band check out www.fueledbyramen.com and/or www.theaeffect.com Well, to be honest, the first time I ever heard The Aeffect I wasn't sure what to think. It sounded like a joint revival of New Order and Depeche Mode, not very punk. Still, there was something soothing about lead singer Aaron's voice that kept me listening. I wasn't even sure that I liked The Aeffect until I listened to "A Short Dream" a few times over. That's kind of what The Aeffect is, an experience. You can't fully comprehend and, therefore, enjoy the music without having an open mind and the resolve to listen to the entire EP a few times before passing final judgement. "A Short Dream" rides out like an epic, so similar to the poems of the romantic age. Mystic and graceful at the same time, The Third Level Of Existence Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 are great songs to kick back to. The keyboard and drums are the only instruments used on "A Short Dream" (it's being hailed as the first punk album with no guitars) and they're both played with a lot of skill. The piano prevails in the songs and accompanies Aaron's vocals as the driving force behind the songs. The lyrics on "A Short Dream" depict betrayal, frustration, restlessness, and eventually truth. As Aaron sings in one of the songs "Even as calm and as mellow is this place. Everyone knows it's not safe." Straying from the norm is never easy an The Aeffect pull it off never looking back. Ultimately this EP rides out like a dream, a short GOOD dream. Review By: Kevin It's not often that I get home from work, sit down with the paper and put on a Eurythmics record. My knowledge of electronic music goes about as far as my knowledge of the migratory habits of the komodo dragon, but that's not to say I couldn't enjoy this record. This trio from Florida which includes the vocal talents of our friend Aaron from Fueled By Ramen have put together a creative 17 minutes of mood music that is a refreshing change from the onslaught of punk and hardcore music I have my head buried in. "A Short Dream" essentially features four electronic tracks and two piano tracks, and is actually a quite enjoyable listen, although it would hardly make me run out to the store to load up on records from the early 80's. "Oh You Didn't Say," "Insomnia," "Of Truth" and "Always Artificial" are all mid tempo electronic songs reminiscent of Depeche Mode, and definitely make good use of my stereo's low-end. If nothing else, this the ideal record to verify the bass capability of your stereo. And good lord is it easy to get this music stuck in your head. This is nothing like the pulsating trance music you hear at raves these days, but rather moves along at a walking tempo and doesn't have so much going on that you start having seizures. The other two tracks, both titled "The Third Level Of Existence" are elegant piano ballads, one with words, one without. Part 1 is purely instrumental and sounds like something out of a classical piano etude book, while Part 2 sounds like something out of a film noir movie. I really had absolutely no clue what to expect, but when this was described as "like old Depeche Mode" to me, my reaction was basically, "oh... ok..." But I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of this record and would be very interested to hear what else this band is working on. The music does make me a little sleepy however, so I wouldn't recommend this for driving music. Where have all these punk rock New Order fans come from? Just when you get used to the idea that the best reaction your friends can have to your Depeche Mode collection is quiet dismissal, great bands like The Aeffect and The Faint pop up and make it cool to own Mode cds again. A Short Dream is a short six song EP that only gets good after the first track. Although this will certainly draw comparisions to Pet Shop Boys, New Order or Depeche Mode, it really reminds me of Stephen Merritt's Future Bible Heroes in the best possible way. Also, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the very lovely sleeve design featuring some beautiful black and white photography. (zm) The timing for The Æffect's debut release couldn't be more perfect:
There's already been mumblings of new-wave acts dedicated to dusting off
old synthesizers and giving the early '80s' signature sound a post-millennial
sound alive and dusting off its leg warmers. What's even better for The
Æffect is that A Short Dream is completely deserving of the beloved timing
its album has stumbled into, in an EP strong world, this release would
be strong enough to stand out among the millennial surplus of new-wave,
techno, and trance obsession. While any spank who's been around the block
a few times will immediately be able to spot the band's roots. Its "synth-pop"
roots traces back to a brothel of band recordings that have sat on a dusty
garage shelf the past 15 years or so the band dives into its style with
a refreshing enthusiasm that simply can't be faked. Remember when Depeche Mode actually made good records? Before all the suicide drama and pseudo-break-ups, they were the quintessential synth-pop/rock band, cranking out one consistently great album after another. Then, unfortunately, they all woke up one morning and decided to suck. Happily, if you've been looking for a viable DM alternative to quench your synth pop cravings, your search is over. The Æffect is a Gainesville, Florida-based trio whose dreamy, synth-bedecked compositions will have you lost in a hazy state of bliss in no time flat. A Short Dream’s six tracks come across like the bastard child of The Faint and Ladytron: pulsing, bleeping and full of iridescent joy. Whether they're cooking up slices of avant-classical electro-pop ("The Third Level of Existence Pt. 1") or cranking out undulating, New Order-style drone-fests ("Always Artificial"), the group’s sound is rooted in a decidedly ‘80s rhetoric of love, loss and preoccupation with all things eternal. By being unafraid to wear their hearts -- or their Benetton shirts -- on their metaphorical sleeves, The Æffect have proven themselves worthy heirs to Gahan and Co's leatherette throne -- assuming, that is, that they ever have the common decency to abdicate it. -- Jason Jackowiak RATING: 4.5/5.0 The dark techno-pop sounds of keyboards and drum machines along the lines of very early Depeche Mode. The vocals are rich and even kind of sexy like David Bowie or Marc Almond. It’s really disappointing there are only 6 songs. -CJ Quick ... What year is it? If you answered 1988, and your musical tastes currently run to 80's synth-pop variety, you'll love this disk. The effect (if you'll pardon the cheap pun) is one of having traveled back to different place and time, where OMD, The Cure, Vince Clark-era Depeche Mode ruled the (college radio, anyway) airwaves. I had to keep checking the copyright date on the jewel case! The Aeffect have done their collective homework and come up with a set that could stand alongside their influences. Nary a guitar or live drum to be found ... Nice. Now where'd I put my hair-gel? -Brian Dougherty Music_Review Do you like New Order and long for the days of sailor suits and synth pop? Well, The Aeffect should hold you over nicely as their short and succinct six tracks of Pet Shops Boys sparkle fit in quite nicely at a swank dance club ("Insomnia"). With that driving bass beat to satisfy the glow stick crowd ("Of Truth"), The Aeffect strike a chord that dance music lovers should be able to rave until dawn over. The Æffect is a trio and is just releasing the EP "A Short Dream", which has only six songs and it's a pity, becsue althought I am not used to listening to this kind of electro pop music, I found the record very interesting and relaxing. From the opening song "Oh You Didn't Say", which is one of the best electronic music song I ever heard, to the other tracks as "Insomnia" and the instrumental "The Third Level Of Existence Pt.1", the EP goes on fast and with a lot of melodic and catchy parts, made of drums and samples, pianos, whatever is used in this kind of music that is so unknown to me. Even if the band is a kind of new one and a "project", I believe The Æffect has still a lot to say, especially if you're fans of such bands as New Order or Depeche Mode. The most important thing about this release is that it proves how Fueled By Ramen is an open minded label. I already said this before, but The Æffect are the living proof of how a label can release good quality music of different genres, from ska to hardcore to punk rock to indie and even electronic pop. I'm so thankful for all the absolutely excellent releases that have just come out in the last few weeks. Without question, this is one of them. This debut EP by the The Æffect is simply amazing. Its not even funny how different this band is from all the bands you're listening to now. No one sounds like this, I can assure you that. Just like bands like The Faint and Dashboard Confessional, The Æffect are popular with punk rock audiences, even though the band isn't the least bit punk. First off, lets talk about the cover. Incredible. Fueled By Ramen, without question has the best design team when it comes to their album sleeves and covers. I still have yet to be disappointed by their artwork on anything. I can't get over the fact of how beautiful that picture is. Many times I have sat down and simple started at the picture! The old phrase you can't judge a book by its cover, should be buried forever because the music contained on 'A Short Dream" is nothing short of amazing. How can I classify this band? I would have to say they owe allot of their influences to 80s keyboard works, the band has that Depeche Mode sound to them. The soothing keyboards are clearly the highlight of the Æffect's music. It plays nicely, but at times takes the center stage above everything else. When that happens, hold on to your hats. In songs like "Of Truth" where the keyboard takes the center of the music towards the end of the song, it sounds so damn good I can't get over it. Lots of times the keyboards can make these freaky noises that sound pretty nice that keeps you in tune. The Æffect's music is damn catchy, and I found myself singing along to Aaron's lyrics in no time, especially in the main choruses. Fueled Bu Ramen continues their mad assault of putting out great releases, and singing The Æffect was a brilliant plan. The band could not be more different from their regular roster of punk rock, and I think thats great that the label took notice and signed this band. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to a full length for these guys! -Submitted by Kevin WASTEOFMIND.DE: (German text, original and translated) Wenn die Welt wirklich gerecht wäre, wären von der letzten Depeche Mode-Platte maximal 100 Stück abgesetzt worden. Wenn die Welt wirklich gerecht wäre, würden Fueled By Raymen Records mehr Alben verkaufen als Sony. Und wenn die Welt wirklich gerecht wäre, müsste diese EP schon ganz bald an der Spitze der Charts stehen, eben da, wo Artverwandtes von New Order oder Depeche Mode schon so oft verweilte. 6 von Keyboards getragene, melancholische Düster-Pop-Stücke, vorgetragen von einem begnadeten Sänger, verfremdet durch allerlei elektrische Effekte und dennoch eingängig und nicht überladen. Nach weniger als 20 Minuten ist die Reise in die Vergangenheit der Achtziger Jahre leider schon vorbei, und man bleibt zurück mit einer tief sitzenden, nicht so richtig erklärbaren Trauer und vielen getragenen Melodien, die sich auf ewig festgesetzt haben. Wie groß dieses Trio wohl sein würde wenn die Welt gerecht wäre? Tito (Wertung: 80 Prozent) If the world were really fair, a maximum of 100 copies of the last
Depeche Mode disk would have been issued. If the world were really fair,
Fueled By Ramen Records would sell more albums than Sony. And if the world
were really fair, this EP would have already reached the top of the charts,
remaining there where cognates of New Order or Depeche Mode have so often
stayed. Six melodic dark-pop pieces are carried forward by a highly gifted
singer, all kinds of alien electrical effects, keyboards, but still catchy
and not overloaded. Tito (Evaluation: 80 Percent)
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