Mind.In.A.Box

"Dreamweb" (Album, 2005)

Dependent

"The second reflection in a mirror of our reality" is how Stefan Poiss (aka Mind.In.A.Box) eloquently describes his follow up to one of the finest albums of 2004 (Lost Alone) and one of Dependent's most original releases to date. It perhaps then comes as no surprise that although still very much worthy of your attention, Dreamweb had a very tough act to follow and it doesn't manage to excite or impress like its predecessor.

Consistent with Poiss' cinematic inspiration, this is a direct sequel to the first album, so much so in fact that opening track Tape Evidence is effectively a recap featuring various cues and clips of the previous outing and some peeks at what's to come. What does follow is very much in the film/game soundtrack mode of Lost Alone, perhaps more so, with Poiss fondness for unpredictable and disjointed structures very much in evidence. Song titles and (Markus Hadwiger's) lyrics continue to explore the 'Dreamweb' virtual reality world ideas that the German is so fascinated with, and in these respects this is a strong as Lost Alone.

Between Worlds gets additional (game freak) credits for seemlessly incorporating the sound of 'hitting the spikes' from Jeff Minter's pumped up version of arcade classic Tempest! Dead End and Reflections appear to pick up from Lost Alone's two-part narrative on Waiting and Forever Gone. Unfortunately, musically, it is perhaps a bit too esoteric - to its detriment - and the results feel too dissipated to be either as affecting or as compelling as Poiss' debut. Nevertheless, credit where credit's due, it's enthusing to see someone still not afraid to take on the concept album. 6/10

Rob Dyer (September 2006)

"Certainty" (Single, 2005)

Dependent

Six tracks totaling almost 35 minutes, this first single from Mind.In.A.Box. represents nothing if not value for money. There are four versions of the title song: the single edit and the miab.alien.mix by the band themselves. Then there are the two guest remixes, the first by Thee Hyphen, the last by Seize. Of all of these, the band's own miab.alien.mix is the finest.

Additional tracks are Beyond The World and Unicorn (pro.version), both of which, to these ears, are easily as proficient as the title song. The first is a mid-tempo entry typical of the Mind.In.A.Box sound and style. Whereas the latter is a more straightforward dance track distinguished by a shimmering hookline. Although an obvious song choice as a single, Certainty isn't Mind.In.A.Box in their prime so this release is likely to be of interest mainly to those already converted by the 2004 debut. 6/10

Rob Dyer (September 2006)

"Lost Alone " (Album, 2004) !DSO Recommended!

Dependent

If truth be told, German label Dependent has never really filled the void left by the departure of genre big leaguers Covenant and VNV Nation. That is, until they signed up Stefan Poiss's Mind.In.A.Box project. Having previously written music for video games, Poiss comes to the genre with a refreshingly different perspective to everyone else on the scene and the results are as infectious as they are stunning.

Without a doubt, this qualifies as 'Debut of the Year' for 2004. The fact that I have been unable to stop playing this since it came through many months ago is evidence of its addictiveness. Whatever the audio version of a 'page turner' is, this album is it. No sooner does it finish than you hit the repeat button - several times a day, several days a week… Opener Light & Dark perfectly sets the tone with its unconventional structure, gradual build, dance rhythms, future-pop tinges and game music grandeur. And it never lets up. This is the soundtrack to a shadowy netherworld that looks just like our own, but is somehow different.

Lyrically this is as strong as it is musically thanks to the work of Markus Hadwiger. One of my favourite examples of this is found in Waiting and its sequel Forever Gone. The former introduces us through a dialling telephone to what could be a Matrix-like existence, with the only voice coming from one side of a distorted phone conversation from an unknown agent trying to track a target. The story is picked up by Forever Gone where we learn that the target has successfully eluded the trace, forcing the mysterious observers to abort their mission.

Thankfully, there are as many mid-tempo or slower ballads as there are dance beats. And Poiss excels at both. On top of all this are the surprising production touches, especially on the vocal treatments, that put most of their rivals into a mundane shade. This album contains more ideas and exciting twists than half a dozen of its contemporaries. Sheer exhilaration from start to finish. This is so solidly impressive throughout that it makes you wonder just how Poiss can follow it up. One of the best releases of 2004, and if there was never anything else from Poiss, Lost Alone would stand as a worthy testament to his thrilling talent and creativity. You simply must buy this album! 8/10

Rob Dyer (January 2005)

Official Mind.In.A.Box website: http://www.mindinabox.com