Semifinalists - 2 [album]

V2 records

November 26, 2008, 02:27 AM

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With 80's synth pop making a resurgence in culture, especially in the latest samplings of Kanye, Common and Timbaland, Semifinalists sophomore effort, accurately titled "2", makes a noble effort at breaking (or should i say, "Breakin'"?) into this genre. Released by the UK label V2, Semifinalists appear to be an accurately named band, for reaching the semi-finals would probably be where this group would end up in a Battle of the Bands contest.

With a vocal range reminiscent of Ben Gibbard, Semifinalists' lead singer wistfully sings in these twelve electro/synth tracks, with the assistance of a lovely female vocalist. With her contribution to the album, the songs they collaborate on are reminiscent of The Postal Service's duet "Nothing Better", lyrically injecting the songs with a poetic back-and-forth.

Musically the band utilize the electronic sounds of not only The Postal Service but The Blood Brothers as well, creating brash upbeat sound on some songs and a lazy, lilting pop beat on the slower ones.

Most of the elements of musical styling that this band explores were originally expedited by groups such as The Cure and Flock of Seagulls back in the 80's, but that does not mean that they cannot be revamped and revisited by bands of today, such as the Semifinalists.

http://www.myspace.com/semifinalists