Prototypes – Synthetique

Driving Music

When not providing the soundtrack to Mitsubishi ads, hopefully Prototypes were finding inspiration for Synthetique. Charging the neon-lit dance floor with lighthearted French pop à la Yelle fused with Fischerspooner’s faux-Euro dance sensibility, Prototypes stray a little far from their indie rock roots and grace this album with an almost full electronica presence.The only thrilling evidence of actual guitar is heard in “”Elle,”” with Isabelle Le Doussal providing uninspiring, almost boring vocals that, quite frankly, should have stayed in Prototypes.

Doussal almost redeems herself with “”Go To Hell Madamoiselle,”” which, although still electronic, seems to house her vocals well once given a melody. It’s almost like the first half of Justice’s “”The Party,”” except we’re not given the satisfaction of a beat dropping towards the end.

“”Clap Your Hands”” sounds strikingly similar to Soft Cell’s “”Tainted Love,”” and doesn’t do too bad of a job paying homage, but sadly the track is too little, too late.

Synthetique closes with more evidence of “”too little, too late”” with “”Machine Amiere,”” the only non-electronic song on the album. It will never get the ladies groovin’ like “”Je Ne Te Connais Pas,”” but at least now with sophomore status their album can be considered for even more car commercials.