The Runner
Help The Devil

Dmitrij Alekseij Fruci is back, folks. Are you tired of the usual Britpop bands that don't meet your needs? Well, this second effort by The Runner truly draws a lot from the best of English Britpop... let’s review this album track by track:

1. "Standard Shuffle": Very nice song, it fully conveys the intentions of Dmitrij A. Fruci and his associates, with its powerful electric guitar rock, reminiscent of "Tequila Rose."

2. "Bruford Hill": The gut scream at the beginning already signals that it will be a rhythmic song and at times psychotically melodic. Note the xylophone by Marika Costabile and the bass by Daniele Di Chio.

3. "Light Ride": The song perhaps lasts slightly too long and manages all too well to express the band's electronic evolution.

4. "Life Length": It is perhaps the only song on the album connected to its predecessor Escape From Hell, the result is not great, but still deserves to be considered sufficient.

5. "Mes Camarades": It is precisely at this point that the album's conclusions can be drawn. This fifth track should be considered among the best for its techno-dance innovation.

6. "Where You Go?": It is perhaps here that The Runner falters, possibly falling too much into the DJ mixing by Ludovico Marcello.

7. "Right Way": It's a kind of prelude, opening the second part of the album. Note the effort for a fairly predictable, yet very well-executed song.

8. "Chinese Lies": Here The Runner reveals its more Eastern style, embarking on a mental journey to China that will let them see the wonders of the country.

9. "I Know I Am Dyslexic But I Can Do The Best However": Truly commendations to the creator of this imaginative title. The song is very peculiar and placed at just the right point in the album.

10. "Freecorder": A rather unnecessary song, to be honest, but with its purpose, paving the way for the final "Vertical Separation."

11. "Vertical Separation": A sweet and deep song, at times electronic but always maintaining the thread of discourse somehow...

A truly convincing album. But this band can definitely offer much more...

(Dmitrij Alekseij Fruci)