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i:scintilla : The Approach
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female-fronted electro-rock mixing elements of industrial and techno with heavy guitars...for fans of garbage, kidneythieves, snake river conspiracy, collide, the birthday massacre, etc
Genre: Electronic: Industrial
Release Date: 2004
The Approach
i:scintilla
Record Label: i:scintilla
  • Download Album (MP3) - $9.99
Preview Song Name Time Format Price Select
1:32 $0.99
imitation 4:21 $0.99
logic + the lack thereof 0:17 $0.99
capsella bursa pastoris 5:24 $0.99
fidelidad [estrogen mix] 4:18 $0.99
scin 4:32 $0.99
translate 5:07 $0.99
havestar 4:35 $0.99
the intruder, part iv 3:12 $0.99
the bells 7:35 $0.99
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Album Notes

In three quick years, Chicago's I:SCINTILLA jumped from recording demo songs in a bedroom to collaborating with some of modern music's best artists and releasing albums on an international level. Fronted by Brittany Bindrim (vocals/words) and backed by Jim Cookas (guitar/programming), Vince Grech (drums), and Chad Mines (guitar/bass), the group seamlessly fuses electronic and rock elements while pushing the boundaries of pop music. Bindrim's intensely seductive voice and insightful words paint a dark picture of loss, redemption, and introspection and are delivered via insatiably catchy hooks. The music drapes the mood with intricately programmed synthesizers, grinding guitar riffs, and a mix of live and programmed drums. The quartet's unique sound has drawn comparisons to GARBAGE, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, and SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY.

Formed in 2003, I:SCINTILLA quickly wrote and recorded songs that would be part of their self-released debut album, THE APPROACH (July 2004). After consistent critical praise and a solid year of live performances, a buzz began to spread and record labels from all over the world began making signing offers. The band eventually signed with Belgian electro label, ALFA MATRIX, to join an impressive roster that includes FRONT 242 and COLLIDE.

On HAVESTAR (August 2006), the first release on their new label, the band worked with famed electronic producer Wade Alin (ATOMICA, CHRIST ANALOGUE) and the result was four electrifying recordings with top notch production elements. The EP was rounded out by club remixes, including stellar versions from the likes of COMBICHRIST and CLAUS LARSEN. The release found success with the critics, clubs, radio, and a varied cross-section of music fans. As a result, HAVESTAR spent four weeks on the DAC (Deutsche Alternative Chart) top 20 singles, peaking at #13.

I:SCINTILLA are currently finishing up work on their new album, which is scheduled for a Spring 2007 release. In addition to continuing their work with Alin, they are also collaborating with mainstays such as Dean Garcia (CURVE), En Esch (ex-KMFDM), CLAN OF XYMOX, and DIE WARZAU. The music is a monumental step forward with more sophisticated songwriting, lyrics with a more socially and politically minded edge, and a new, industrial-strength sound.

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REVIEWS

Addictive, Intoxicating, simply can't stop listening
author: Colin
I stumbled across I:Scintilla by chance, and was instantly a fan. This is one of the few bands you never grow tired of. Read the rest of the reviews here and you will see there is something to this band that is truly amazing. I hope that they keep producing music -- I'm hooked.
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I love this album
author: Diana
I've been looking for some new bands to listen to that were not mainstream. I found out about them on myspace and I'm so glad I did. I love the entire album.
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author: Autumn
I knew The Approach would be a great Cd, but I had no idea just how much I'd love it! It's got a nice, raw and dark finish to it, this music. I highly recommend i:scintilla !!!!!!
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Addictively catchy, and that alone makes this album worth owning...
author: ReGen Magazine
The word Scintilla is defined as a minute amount, an iota or trace, or simply as a spark of flash. There certainly is some of that spark of flash in the music of the Illinois band I:Scintilla. I can only imagine what the band’s live performances would be like, but I imagine it would be more than a spark and more of an explosion. The Approach is the band’s debut album; imagine the alternative rock band Garbage taking a more industrial route… the results would be The Approach. I:Scintilla doesn’t really offer anything new or innovative here with their brand of industrial rock, but it is addictively catchy, and that alone makes this album worth owning. Lead vocalist Brittany Brindrim certainly has taken her cues from Garbage’s lead singer Shirley Manson with her polished seductive vocals. The comparison to Manson is evident on the hard-hitting “Scin,” the opening samples eerily resembling Garbage’s “Wicked.” The Garbage comparison can be both a good and a bad thing; while imitation is flattery, there should be a limit to how much. Thankfully the Garbage influence is limited to a couple of tracks on the album. One of the most compelling songs on The Approach is the haunting ballad “Translate.” It is not often that an industrial band would incorporate acoustic guitars in their music, but I:Scintilla does that here. The song begins as an acoustic ballad, but as the song progresses the music begins to take a more electronic approach. Lyrically, it is one of the most beautiful songs on the album with lines like, “Interlocked, insatiable, unraveled, and untwined / All that I have left is what I wish I’d left behind / with ignorance ignored.” The way that those words were put together gave the song a haunting quality not often heard or felt in this type of music. Another memorable track is “Capsella Bursa Pastors,” in which the music takes a different direction. The song has both a trip-hop and industrial element. The songwriting on the entire album is very strong. There is plenty of angst without sounding overtly whiney, sadness without being too depressing, and introspection without sounding too self-absorbed. “The Intruder, Part IV” is the weakest track on the CD. It is an instrumental track filled with unusual samples that would easily fit on a Skinny Puppy or Velvet Acid Christ CD. It sounded out of place on a CD filled with songs that are more polished with a pop edge to the melodies. The Approach closes with the killer track, “The Bells,” which opens up with a thunderous roar of heavy metal guitar riffs. Brittany Brindrim’s vocals really shine on this track; she really loosens up on this track and lets all of her aggression out. The combination of industrial, rock, and techno may not be original, but I:Scintilla really livens up the sound on The Approach.
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