IRIS: Awakening

Iris

Awakening

© 2003 Diffusion Records (803676000721)

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Electro-pop for the glitch generation. The first new studio album from Iris in over 3 years.

tracks

1 Whatever
2 When I'm Not Around
3 Sentimental Scar
4 Unknown
5 Sorrow Expert
6 You're The Answer
7 In Spite
8 Vacant
9 Wait Move On
10 Island

notes

After almost 4 years since their last album, IRIS finally returns in 2003 with their new record, "Awakening". The first full-length release from the band since 1999's "Disconnect", "Awakening" showcases the band's evolution into a modern electro-pop force.

Vocalist/songwriter Reagan Jones has created a work of passionate, intense songs that recall the heyday of synth-driven pop. New member Andrew Sega (The Alpha Conspiracy) takes over production duties for this record, and brings elements of IDM and electro to the pop mix, creating an evocative, modern sound. Instrumentally, the record covers diverse ground, ranging from pulsing beat-driven anthems to dreamlike, textured ballads. The disc also includes an electrifying version of the Seven Red Seven classic, "You're the Answer".

Visit IRIS on the web at http://www.irismusic.com.

reviews

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  • author: Kris Kolasinski

    very good music! i can hear european soul. just like wolfsheim, de/vision and of course dm.great job guys!

  • Great CD - beginning to end
    author: Jim Schnyder

    I love this band's sound. "Sorrow Expert", "In Spite" and "You're The Answer" are a few favorites. If you have not bought this CD - do it.

  • A must have for any synth-pop or EBM fan!
    author: Jesse In Wa

    If you dan't have this album, you should. There aren't enough words to describe the journey you are taken on while listening to this record. You will undoubtedly have several of the tracks stuck in your head for days if not longer, and you will find it hard to remove from your player at first. The soundscapes built by the band are spot on, a classic buy for anyone who ever liked synth-pop music. This is a real throwback to the early 80's with songs that cascade over the air, intricately woven guitars and synths, vocals that dare other singers in the genre to compete with. I don't think I've ever liked a band so much after the first time I heard them, save Depeche Mode and a very short list of others. You should buy one for yourself and a few others for your friends! They will thank you for it. Don't wait to tell them about it and let them balk at the idea. If they've never heard Iris, they'll want nothing more than to own the entire discography after listening to this record.

  • X-cellent
    author: dreaMWeapon

    A cult album ! Everything's perfect (as always...).

  • A New Wave of Synth has Arrived!
    author: Rob Hensley

    I've been waiting for the next great Synth band and Iris is it! If you love or even heard of Seven Red Seven, Channel 69, or Anything Box this will be right up your alley-----I can't stop listening to Iris version of the 7red7 hit You're the Answer----and Sorrow Expert is by far the best synth song to come along in ages----keep it coming and I can't get enough of Iris!!!!

  • author: Deborah

    I love this album, very addictive!

  • Entrancing.
    author: Brina

    This is some of the best synthpop you have ever heard. There isn't a single song on this CD that isn't incredible. I think this CD would be impossible to disappoint synthpop fans. It's amazing.

  • Great dreamy synthpop
    author: Rhelic

    This album is definetly one of the better neo-synthpop albums and I think true synthpop fans would really miss out on this one. with singing that closely ressembles Joy Division (aka Brand New Idol) and music that could only be smooth dreamy by Alpha Conspiracy, this is an audio treat. 1. Whatever - Starts out with a really great soundscape and works in a slow sexy beat with haunting backgrounds. The vocal work comes in strong and well fitting. Definetly influenced by Depeche Mode and obviously the musical work of Alpha Conspiracy (who produced the album). THis song is the shinning gem of the album and worth checking out for the neo-synthpop fans. 2. When I'm Not Around - Starts out very accoustic with traditional minimal synthpop drums. The style isn't anything new, but the singing is good and the music is very well made, the song definetly gets better as it goes os. It works into a strong emotion both musically and vocally and is similar to a ballad. Definetly a good listen. 3. Sentimental Scar - Starts out slow but strong with slow synths almost as if I'm underwater listening to this, without the muffle. Good synth work make flowing chords near the middle and work up into stronger vocals & sound ala the previous song. A good listen. 4. Unknown - Simple chords start out with some cliche (but not corny) synthpop self-loathing vocals. The song works out a somewhat dancy synthpop beat with good strong singing. Somewhat catching plucks peak up with great lyrically flow. 5. Sorrow Expert - This one quickly comes on musically strong with singing that reminds me of Joy Machine (now known as Brand New Idol). I'd even go as far as to say it sounds like this song was plucked from something they haven't released, and polished up a bit (that's a compliment btw). 6. You're The Answer - This is one of the dancier tracks on the album. The lyrics don't do anything for me as I don't feel he's conveying any particular emotion or message. A good synthpop dance tune but doesn't hold much interest with myself. 7. In Spite - Another average track for this album. It's decent but the chorus is better than the song. Not a song you'll be itching to hear again but has no obvious flaws. 8. Vacant - Starts out with tranquil noise and some slow erie synths pop up. It starts to break way for a peak at the melody and then the vocals kick in. The beat kicks in and eventually you're treated to a decent chorus with layers of synth, beats and chords. 9. Wait Move On - A touch on the dancey side but not as raver like as track 6. The vocal is performed with a filter to give it that "far away" sound to it, with an appropriate echo added here and there. Standard fair music otherwise with some building up to a quasi-climax. Decent song. 10. Island - Starts out very rich sound that encompasses you, perhaps even making you sad that the album is almost over. The vocals are laid back and a bit sad sounding and the rich pieces push back in with the chorus. Almost two minutes before the end of the song the music cuts down to just minimal chords with vocals, really helping to build tension that this emotional journey is almost over. This song really helps the album close on a good note.

  • very groovy cd
    author: trox

    I bought this cd after hearing a few tracks online, and I must say it was well worth it. The cd has a great beat overall, but my favorites are "Sentimental Scar" and "Sorrow Expert". I can't get the tunes out of my head!

  • Iris was great, now is the best...
    author: DefleX

    Great CD, the hand of Alpha Conspiracy is clear on this work. Iris is great but now this group is pushed to the top limit by the genius of Andrew. The union of this two talented guys made up a fine, beautiful, colored and advanced work. Buy it, the best in itds genre.

  • A surprising find
    author: Jon

    We'd heard a few Iris songs on the EBM online radio station. Liked them enough to buy this CD (and probably the others soon). Like any album, not all tracks can stand up to the best on the CD, but the good ones are worth listening to many times over. Iris reminds me of a modern Depeche Mode crossed with Devision and a bit of American perspective added. In my opinion well worth the money.

  • I'm very glad I found this group
    author: Kevin

    Awakening was the first CD from Iris that I listened to. The synth work is great, and the tracks are very fun to listen to. My favorites are Unknown and In Spite, but the entire CD is worth listening to. This is definitely a group worth hearing if you're a fan of electronic music.

  • An album you can listen to over and over again
    author: Iain

    Not as many dancey tracks but the lack of them is made up for with great melodic tracks that get you swishing about the house as you're getting ready to go out :)

  • Great Deep Emotional Albume
    author: David Emirzian

    IRIS is an AMAZING fusion of Andrew Sega's (Alpha Conspiracy/Necros) tallent and the singing of Reagan Jones. This is deffinetly one albume you don't want to miss if your from the scene.

  • Very, VERY good.
    author: Tomer Gabel

    I've been waiting for Awakening for almost a year since I've noticed it on the alphaconspiracy website. Finally after a few blunders I managed to purchase the disc. It is excellent! Andrew's awesome musical talent I've known for years combined with Reagan's great vocals and words make for a VERY engaging synthpop albums. Whatever, Unknown, Sorrow Expert and You're The Answer will probably remain my favourite synthpop tracks for a long while.

  • The best electro-pop group on planet Earth
    author: Daniel

    This cd has all the right ingredients: great talent, great production, great sounds, great voices! Awakening is an extension of the bands first project, Disconnect. The songs have layers of sonic sounds that move within you; sometimes making you think, sometimes making you dance. You will not be sorry for buying this right now! This is what great synth-pop should sound like. Keep making music!

  • Imaginative, emotional and exotic
    author: Matt Robinson

    If Gary Numan and Depeche Mode got drunk and stole Enigma's synths, the result wouldn't be too far from Iris' Awakening. Its sound is evocative of industrial electronica, though is lighter, more poppy. It plays like a goth's day off. Overall moody, ambient, dark-sounding yet strangely uplifting.

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