Monaco X and Jörg Huttner, two of the forces behind the late Dorsetshire, are back in 2000 with their new project, simply titled Monaco X.  Consisting of 7 original tracks, one cover, and one remix, Gezeiten is a harsh electro project with ample beats, beefy rhythms, and tempting sequences.  For the most part, the vocals are in German, with the exception of the cover of Invincible Spirit's Push.  This is a rather effortless cover of the original, which was actually co-written by Huttner.  As far as covers go, I prefer to hear something new and different added to them, making them stand their own ground.  Unfortunately Push offers neither of those two things.  I can partially forgive them for this, seeing as how Huttner did have his hand in writing the original.  The title track, with it's electrified beats, churning rhythm, and rapturous synths is entertaining enough, but the club mix is much more diverse and less straightforward making it stand out even more.  Blind combines these chirpy synth lines together with a wet rhythm and hollow beats giving it, like many of the other tracks, a definitive Das Ich sound.  The most pleasing track on Gezeiten is Phoenix aus der Asche.  This track contains the most compelling vocals, grounded beats, and aggressive keys.  Swinging in the other direction, Im Westen nichts Neues is a very slow paced piece with whispered vocals, unhurried beats, and squeaky, distant synths.  The album is rounded out with the light instrumental, Kalt.  Kalt is a nicely orchestrated piece with lush sequences, sporadic beats, and a surly, yet slow rhythm.  Overall Monaco X has a bit too much of a Das Ich sound, which tends to distract the listener from hearing some of the more intricate and unique things going on in many of the pieces.  It is good to see this duo returning to the scene and lets hope they can develop their sound a bit more and let those unique aspects of their sound shine through a bit more.
   
NOVA MEDIA
     
Monaco X is:
Monaco X / Jorg Huttner / E. Jesus
Contact Monaco X @
Projective Information
e-mail: monaco.x@gmx.net