Dave Clarke ‎– Devil's Advocate

Dave Clarke has always been known for his sharp, hard techno, and on DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, he doesn't stray from from his tried-and-true approach (listen to "Just Ride" if you're not convinced), but he does take some interesting detours. The chanting on "She's in Parties" from Chicks on Speed, for instance, or the squealing and ghetto-effects to accompany Mr. Lif's vocals on "Blue on Blue." But better yet is when he sticks to his guns, like on the tech-house of "Stay Out of the Light" or the electro-breaks of "Addendum." The more things change...

I was rather dissapointed with this release overall. Formulaic "Red Series" synths, sampled ghetto-tek vocal loops and recycled tekno tricks are the order of the day on most of the tracks. A few exceptions attempt to revive the tired electroclash style with mixed results and the best track "Deo Gratias" only hints at the possiblility of anything remotely original from one of the most exciting tek dj's on the planet. Sub-standard in anyone's language.

Although recognizable as a Dave Clarke album after exactly 1 second this is a different story as you might be used to. Trashy electro wave: an album loaded with anger against conformists ready to criticize every non-techno effort, dark as the night - Gothic typefonts on black artwork - embracing that gothrock emotion of the eighties by putting Bauhaus on a stand with the brilliant remake of "She’s In Parties" and adding raunchy hip hop and finally a statement by "Chicks On Speed" on "Disgraceland" that pretty much tells it all. Dave Clarke is pissed and this albums truly kicks in every meaning of that word.