PitchforkSince I am not an avid synthpop listener, I am not exactly a connoisseur of the sound, but I do know what sounds good when I hear it. Null Device has a decent sound that is musically interesting and vocally not so whiny-squealy-sugary-sweet like so many bands that do not even fall into the category of synthpop, they are lumped in a category that I like to call shit-pop. Well have no fear as this review is not of a shit-pop band, so all synthpop buffs read on as you are going to hear about an album that you need to get. A Million Different Moments released on Nilaihah Records is 12 tracks of harmony and catchy music. All the way through, this album hooks you into its sound. The sound is one of sadness and loss. What I find to be rather ironic about synthpop music in general (at least good synthpop anyhow) is the dichotomy of the subject matter and the delivery method. What I mean by that is a synthpop band can explain about a lost love or something similar in the realm of emotional despair, but the music is more of an upbeat nature, not sad and brooding as human nature would normally dictate that it be. In essence, they take a dark subject matter and they musically put it in a happy light. At least that is the meaning that I take away from bands such as Null Device and others of the same guild. All right now that I am done with my analytical moment, let me tell you more about this album. The tracks all support a rather synthesizer-heavy structure with the drums playing secondary in each track, as is common and customary with synthpop music. While maintaining that structure, the band diversifies its sound some with the use of stringed instruments most importantly live guitar and violin, giving the music a distinct fresh sound. Highlights of the album are the eastern sound of “Travelogue (versiyon turk),” the guitar-sprinkled “Prevailing Winds,” the slower-paced bass guitar-backed “Unknowingly” and the lyrically addictive “Easier.” All in all this album is nowhere near shit-pop and it is a good paced album full of ingenuity within the genre and replayable tracks that will have you looking for more from this great synthpop act.
