Front 242 Moments CD

Issued in 2008, MOMENTS. presents the veteran Belgian techno act Front 242 performing live. Given the band's mechanistic inclinations, the tracks on this set often sound like studio recordings, as evinced on the ominous "Until Death" (from 1988's FRONT BY FRONT) and the pulsing "Take One," a single dating back to the early `80s.

Seeing as how analog synthesizers started making a comeback in 2006/2007 after years of digital and laptop dominance had wiped them off the scene, the veteran Belgian industrial group Front 242 decided to re-load their early analog material into their new gear and head out on the road for what they called the "Worldwide Vintage Tour." All sounds were "carefully re-designed" to "match the spirit of their time" and while the band and their loyal fan base clog Internet message boards with discussions on how everything here is "re-invented," Moments... isn't much more than a live album with the usual updates. The good news is that it's a thoroughly exciting live album where classics like "U-Men," "Body to Body," and "Headhunter" sound louder, punchier, and more aggressive than they ever have before. The original recordings remain definitive as they are more complex and textured, but longtime fans will find their jaws on the floor as soon as they read "Funkahdafi" on the track list. It's just one of the well-chosen, surprise revivals that show up on the album's second-half, but anyone thrilled to see "Rain" in a rare set list appearance will be disappointed by the clumsy performance. Otherwise, this is just what the fan ordered, delivering on the opening number's promise of "We gonna bring you happiness." [A limited-edition, three-CD version was also released with a bonus CD that further explores the band's back catalog. The third CD, Sounds from the Matrix 008, features various artists from the electro-Industrial label Alpha Matrix.] ~ David Jeffries

A 3CD collectors limited edition with 32 tracks. 2 picture discs inside a 23 cm square deluxe carton box with 1 poster, 2 stickers and 1 button The limited edition also includes the FREE 18-track label CD compilation sounds from the matrix 007. The use of computers has drastically transformed music production in the past 20 years; creation in this way is now totally integrated thanks to user friendly technology. Front242 comes from a different time, when working with electronic music was difficult, the machines were hostile and humans needed to interact strongly with synthesizers to master their art - Music required discipline. Front242 decided to re-load their old analogue sequences into this new generation of synthesizers and carefully re-designed all the sounds to match the spirit of their time. The result was proposed on a worldwide Vintage World Tour. To satisfy their fans, but also the curiosity of numbers of listeners interested in the early electronic music atmosphere ; we invite you to discover this exceptional Live recording encompassing the very best of Front242s compositions.

Recording information: 2006-2007.