(We Are) Performance
(We Are) Performance

Formed in Manchester three years ago, (We Are) Performance - written just like that - are four kids (Joe Cross, Joe Stretch, and sisters Hilary and Laura Marsden) in love with the music of Fad Gadget, Leonard Cohen, Chris Waddle, Anais Nin, Bruce Springsteen, John Banville, New Order, The Sound, Michael Jackson, and many other diverse artists from the music scene. At least, that's what their bio on their official website reports.

This debut of theirs, composed in Ancoats, the eastern part of Manchester, is one of the most exciting and infectious things produced in this rich 2007.

Devastating electronics, catchy melodies, crazy guitars, all in a kaleidoscopic musical melting-pot of lightning impact.

Imagine listening to a sort of bizarre crossover between Bloc Party, The Rapture, and the immense Supersystem, filtered through the techno-pop spirit - typically eighties - of bands such as A Flock Of Seagulls, Oingo Boingo, and Wall Of Voodoo.

At times, the violent and bold electronics omnipresent here seem to approach the American Fischerspooner, with the difference that the latter - despite having great potential - have never fully convinced on albums, limiting themselves to producing one or at most two dancefloor killer singles.

In short, there's plenty to draw from here: the highly rhythmic "Live A Little" which, along with "Short Sharp Shock" and "Market Street (Everything Is Changing)", is set to earn a place of considerable respect in clubs and discos around the world. It also touches on new punk wave rock with "Vandals" and "Surrender" and approaches more mainstream stuff like Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson in "Freeze", "Sex Etc.", and "Dotted Line".

A full-fledged electrorock album, at three hundred and sixty degrees. For those who grew up with both Depeche Mode and Soft Cell, but also for 'open-minded' rockers living off Nine Inch Nails, Young Gods, and Korn.

It's a shame that no label has decided to release this album yet, which can only be purchased on their official website (http://weareperformance.trinitystreetdirect.com/) in limited edition.

It's really worth it.