Universal Poplab

"I Could Say I'm Sorry" (Single, 2006)

My first sampling of Thermostatic's label mates, Universal Poplab are, curiously, just what I expected they might be. Smooth synthpop songs, very emotive vocals, and a polished image and a touch too much... just too much... for my taste. The (very posed) photo of the band fiddling with a Sequential Circuits Pro-One analogue synth on the inner sleeve softens my potential indifference, since I owned one of those classic machines early in my recording career, and there is that warmth that analogue synths bring to the sound on this single. Fortunately though this isn't quite as syrupy as a lot of the European synthpop can be, but the vocals could do with a character boost.

The titular song appears four times. The Single and Instrumental entries are served up by our three Swedish lads (the latter is actually quite a different version and all the better for it). Choice of remixers is good offering two quite distinct perspectives. Thermostatic's Pong styling works its usual magic, whilst the Jens Lodén Remix is a quite muscular and bass friendly reworking that serves the source material well. Vampire in You is decent enough (and better than the title might suggest) aided by a nice, melodic chorus line. Could almost be an early Alphaville b-side, which is, obviously, no bad thing. 6/10

Rob Dyer (March, 2008)

Official website: http://www.universalpoplab.com