For several years now, we've been listening to Goth bands producing reformulated (some would say
regurgitated) 80s music.  Glenn Love is part of the Next Wave.  His synthesizer stylings are firmly grounded in the late 90s/early Aughties; instead of hearkening back to Depeche Mode, his cruel utopia evokes a darker Astral Projection, an Infected and Poisonous Mushroom.  It's Thoroughly Modern Music, which shows all the strengths and weaknesses of Trance/Ambient dance music.

In the best trance tradition, he finds a Really Cool Sound and repeats it until he comes up with another Really Cool Sound.  This is not really very interesting, unless you're chemically enhanced.  Arnold Schoenberg, Robert Fripp and Brian Eno, among others, broke the rules AFTER they learned them.  At its worst, this is lazy, not challenging, composition. "cipher" is tuneful, and has a danceable beat, but Love doesn't really go anywhere with it.  At 7:25, it's a good two minutes too long.  The drum machine sounds, well, like a drum machine.  While "photo" and "mind" have a bit more of an edge, Love doesn't really develop on his themes.  It's unfortunate; he has a good ear, and a feel for music which gets under your skin.  He could benefit from some composition classes, or from a study of Serialism or other alternative ways of developing tension within a tune.  

Of course, it could just be that I'm a boring old fart who doesn't understand post-postmodern music.  "cruel utopia" begins with a slightly faster beat, and a pulsating bass line that put my JBL subwoofer through its paces.  I've gathered that in Cali many once-industrial DJs have repackaged themselves as "Psytrance."  They should include this track in their mixes, then segue into "kool utopia."  The jaunty circuslike opening, reiterated throughout various permutations, captures joy and dread in one fell swoop that you can dance to... dark ambient trance at its best.

"in exile" and "sea of forgotten dreams..." may be the strongest tracks on the CD.  Both build up an atmosphere of dread, playing samples and dissonance against a pulsing beat.  It's music that makes you nervous even as you shake your booty.  If Love continues in this direction, his next CD will definitely be worth listening for.  His recent tours of Germany should expose him to a new audience... and should also be a great educational experience.  The country which gave the world Kraftwerk and which discovered Giorgio Moroder certainly has a few things to offer a talented young synth artist like Love.

1) cipher
2) cruel utopia
3) photo
4) mind
5) in exile
6) sea of forgotten dreams...
7) kool utopia

Glenn Love website
http://www.glennlove.com