Meo 245 – Rites Of Passage

Perfect marriage of Post-Punk and New Wave. Someone please re-master and re-issue!!

absolutely brilliant and masterfully executed mini-lp in a unique facon of coldwave blended with pop/rock/new romantic elements. for this release the 6track-format alone is ultra charming. in my opinion this is MEO 245's best and artistically most expressive release. also - quite unusual - this later recording was much more daring and a departure from its aimed-for-success precursor "screen memory" [which in itself is a superb release]. "rites of passage"'s sound is on one hand similar to "screen memory" but then it's more processed and more refined. all instruments fit and sit tight in the ensemble and thus make for a special kind of "drive" or "power" - although the mix is not using hard limiting or special accentuation of certain frequencies to gain head. the album has a "soft", almost romantic sound that is elegant but in no way shallow or bland. the rhythm section has that typical MEO 245 appeal in that it is smoothly flowing together, however this time with an angular complexion. the synthesizers are featured way stronger than on "screen memory" and sound more ambitious [a big +], the overall mood of the album is cool, cold, exigent, dedicated. especially the vocals were meliorated significantly in that they are more sinister, more expressive and less melody-bound. I would say: if "screen memory" is a major opus "rites of passage" is the minor stroke of genius!