INFORMATION SOCIETY - Don't Be Afraid
Songs: 9  Time:  60:40
Gone are the old days of Information Society.  Here is the new, re-birth of a once great, alternative dance band.  Now a solo project, Kurt has held onto the Information Society moniker and has taken the sound on a complete 180° turn.  Dominating rhythms, pounding beats, and exquisite sequences run amok on nearly every track.  Don’t Be Afraid could (loosely) be compared to Pig in that Kurt utilizes classical elements, string arrangements, horn sections, etc. into the pieces to make them more tangible.  Even though this is the same vocalist from the past InSoc releases, he has altered his style somewhat.  It’s not that now he’s singing through a distorter or anything.  The vocals are still smooth, but not as synth-poppy as they previously were.  Many of the tracks begin with a short spoken-word introduction that sets up a mini story.  Closing In is one such track in which watery sequences, rolling beats, minimal guitar sounds, and bizarre samples all come together to create a solid, hard dance piece.  My immediate favorite was On the Outside.  Firm beats, crisp electronics, and easily understood vocals are all joined with a nice horn sequence and natural samples.  I was really impressed with this release, considering it was nothing like I had expected to be.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that this just a continuation of the InSoc sound of the past.  It’s much more than that.  It’s much better than that.
 
CLEOPATRA RECORDS                                             -Information Society is:
8726 Sepulveda Blvd.                                                       Kurt Harland
Ste D-82                                                                              Contact Information Society @
Los Angeles, CA 90045                                                   e-mail: vector@InSoc.org
e-mail: cleopatra@tunanet.com                                      Information Society homepage:
CLEOPATRA homepage:                                              http://InSoc.org
http://www.hallucinet.com/cleopatra/cleopatra