Hello World

Insoc is back... and with a vengeance. If you're any kind of an Insoc fan, _hello world is not to be missed. I'm a little late in reviewing this as I bought this one a long while back and only recently gave it a good listen. Though, I also won't sit here and say it is by means perfectly produced, which is what took me so long to get into the album. There are production issues with this album that don't extend into the music. The music is all spot on. Many bands hit their stride during their 'magic era' and then can't seem to recapture what made them great. I'm not sure if that's because many musicians put a personal stake in the ground to avoid repeating themselves? Copying is the sincerest form of flattery and, in the case of this music, copying from yourself is both fun and offers the added bonus of recapturing your magic. The thing is, Insoc both copies from themselves all the while keeping it all fresh and new. And, this is exactly what we want as listeners. Stay with what you know, but give us new material. So many bands forget this single mantra. However, Insoc doesn't forget and this album is a winner as a result. For example, the break at 1:16 in Land of the Blind is so reminiscent of "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)", I found myself hoping (as an inside joke) that they would have slipped in the 'Pure Energy' sample into the break as a nod to what got them started. As for production, this is where things get a little bit dicey. The loudness wars is somewhat evident here. The music sounds great, but I'd have preferred the sound engineer pulling a bit back on the track volumes to retain more of the dynamic range, which can only help this album be even better. Additionally, I find that while this album sounds stunning through headphones, some of the songs don't hold up as well when played through speakers or using certain EQ settings. I believe this is partly because there's so much going on in the songs and partly because of the applied EQ settings. Insoc's earlier works had simpler arrangements. Instead of three or four layers of synth, there might be one or two. The layers are not so much the issue. It's that in some of the layers, at least two of the synths are ambient with a fair amount of reverb. This adds complexity to the track that sounds great in headphones, but much of this complexity is lost when listening with speakers. This is most evident in Land of the Blind (arguably one of the best tracks on this album). What does this all mean? It means that the sound engineering combined with the more complex synth arrangements trick certain EQ settings on iOS into flattening the track out in unintended ways. For example, applying the 'Electronic' or 'Dance' EQ settings makes this track sound far less impressive than it is and changes the volume in odd but noticeable ways. Putting the EQ on 'Flat' retains the full complexity of the track. This is kind of why it's important to test listen to your tracks on all types of devices before releasing it. I'm sure the sound engineer listened on his/her studio monitor rig while sound engineering this track, but may not have put the tracks on an iPhone to take a final listen. In this day and age when playback is almost certainly to be heard on an iPhone or Android device by most, it's important to play your tracks on the built-in mobile players to make sure your sound engineering efforts don't do something unintended. Overall, while the sound engineering isn't perfect, the music itself is spot on. I couldn't have hoped for a better comeback album from Information Society.

The first album in over 20 years featuring the classic line up of Paul Robb, James Cassidy and the returning Kurt Harland on vocals is, at once, both rooted in the classic InSoc formula that rocketed the band to success in the 80s, while at the same time embracing the techno-obsessed culture we currently live in today. For the most part, this approach works, and is - in my opinion - leagues better than the group's previous effort, Synthesizer. I read somewhere that Paul Robb had stated that when he went to work on Synthesizer, that he literally had to "remember what Information Society sounded like." Unfortunately, he appeared to be a little lost in finding it, as I always felt that Synthesizer was a decent album, but came across as a little hollow and musically empty. With that in mind, I am glad to report that there is not a single track on this album that gives me the same feeling, as every vocal, every hook, every beat is encased in sonic richness and bombastic bass, and is a definite improvement on Synthesizer on all fronts. I would even go to say that this album comes very close to matching the brilliance that was Peace & Love, INC., which to me has always been the most aesthetically pleasing album the group has put out (even if I have more of a personal attachment to others). From the energetic intro of "Land of the Blind," which has it's roots in the band's first hit, "Pure Energy," to the haunting and melodic, "Tomorrow the World," this album exudes passion and is a definite must buy for anyone who is not only a fan of Information Society, but a fan of music as a whole. My personal favorites: -Land of the Blind: A great way to bring is back to the good old days! -Step Back: A track that I could see being played in any club today. -Jonestown: I heard this on the live DVD, and it sounds much better sped up a few ticks. -Creatures of Light and Darkness: The gemstone of this album. From it's opening piano chords to the teardown, this song takes me through the whole spectrum of emotions. Love it. Also, for all you tech-heads, in true Information Society fashion, there's a little puzzle for you at the end of the album. It's a little less involved than the White Roses hunt, but it's equally worth your time. Enjoy!

UPDATE: August 31, 2024 Still love this InSoc album 10 yrs later. Read on for my 5-Star review from 2014... Original review: I don't know how they did it but this album sounds fresh and new and yet still retains all the elements of classic InSoc. Surely they must have dusted off an album they never released 20 years ago? InSoc have to be the Dorian Gray of music. All joking aside, this album is an amazing achievement. It does not for a single moment sound like so many other band reunion efforts you hear...you know what I'm talking about, a band trying to reclaim their sound...almost doing it but you still feel there's something missing. Not with _hello world. From the opening club anthem Land of the Blind through Jonestown to Get Back to Where Were You (love that opening vocal sample...can't place it but it has to be from a 1940's film noir) to Above And Below to ....well, you get the idea...this is a GREAT, triumphant album. I'd say a triumphant return, but this isn't a 'return'...it is more of a continuation after Peace and Love, Inc. Kurt's vocals are still full of youthful wonder and excitement. You simply have to listen to this album then pinch yourself to realize it is 2014 and not 1992. UPDATE 11/1/14 - after over a month of listening and still not tired of this new InSoc album. Favorite tracks: Land of the Blind, Jonestown, Creatures of Light and Darkness, Above and Below, Get Back, The Prize, Beautiful World and Where Were You. Even my lesser faves (Tomorrow the World, Let It Burn, Dancing With Strangers) are great tracks by any measure but I do skip them sometimes. Wish I could figure out the mystery of the hidden track #12. The production values on this extremely polished collection of tunes is extraordinary --you realize and appreciate this more and more after repeat play. This is great stuff. Get this album. You won't regret it. It has sparked my interest in new music, particularly EDM. I can see InSoc led the way in this format and they still have new tricks up their sleeves. Hope they keep going.

I was part of the original fan base who followed IS since 1988. Indeed, they had a limited audience with their post electronic dance floor tracks that I generally savored in my local nightclub days around midnight. Those days have long since shuddered up, my friends have died off or retired to the suburbs, yet I was left wanting more. After 3 landmark records, I was left waiting and hoping for another release and it has finally happened. I always felt that Peace and Love Inc. is the best album of the 1990s and it left me wanting MORE. 21 years later I get it. This is a worthy follow up despite its quirks. The original lineup (Paul/Kurt and Jim) returns in all of its electronic splendor delivering those poignant and sometime painful lyrics that had me up and dancing in my living room. They produce that tactile "wall of sound". The first 4 tracks spoke to my heart like it was 21 years ago! Unlike so many other band that revive after their hiatus, IS picks up right where they left off. Its driving, demanding and danceable. Where were you? and Get Back would have been dance floor smashes in the day. Beautiful World is perfectly fitting, yet seems wrong in context. Pessimism runs rampant on _hello world. It is dark, erratic and revealing about the world we live in. Let It Burn seems to complete the circle. Its political, social and has teeth that takes a bite out the direction our world has taken since the turn of the century. Indeed IS has always warned us about "the serpent eating its tail" we exist in. The message is MASSIVE. Ultimately, there is no solution. That is the reason IS produces such depth. Only this dedicated niche audience will listen.

This album was way better than I was expecting. I have been a little disappointed in the last few releases. This one starts off with an amazing track that seems to pay homage to "What's on your mind" and "Peace & Love Inc". I found that most of the tracks were good as well, and I have been listening to it for about a week straight now. Fans of the early years of Information Society should really like this one!

I've always loved Information Society, from the first time I heard Running on the radio waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day. The culmination was seeing them live for the first (and last) time in Portland OR for the Peace and Love Inc. tour. Sheer bliss. There's just something about Kurt's voice that has always resonated - and, yes, I also love Don't Be Afraid. I only really listened to the song Kurt sang from Synthesizer (sorry guys) as it's not the same band or music without him. _hello world is a fantastic return, from the retro throwback of the first track to the ballad at the end it's a ride worth taking. The only track I sometimes (sometimes!) skip is Get Back, which just isn't as much to my taste. I can only hope this is not the only new album the whole band puts out. More! More! More!

It's been too many years since Info Soc has released a full on new record that was endorsed by all the original members. Hello World was worth the wait. It's got many of the classic elements that we loved from the late 80's early 90's hits, but with a modern edge and take on things. Being one of my all time favorite bands, and nary a song I don't like, I am excited for the hopeful resurgence of these guys, and look forward to a possible local show, and more music to come. If you are a child of the 80s and grew up with these guys on MTV, you must get this record.

This is another quality effort from the band Info Society! If your a fan of the band you will enjoy this album. My only issue here actually has nothing to do with the album it's self. the album and sound quality are fine. However the delivery of this album took over 2 months to be delivered!? Was it worth the wait? Maybe. but I expect better from Amazon!

最近知りました（汗） 何故かiMusicでは表示されないので、本作とOrders of Magnitudeはamazonで購入しました。 無限ループで浸っています♩ 本国や南米では、ライブツアーも意欲的に行っているようですね。 日本にも来てくれないかな〜！

A fantastic comeback for this electropop trio! The 20+ year wait was worth it! The old Insoc underpinnings are there, further aided by the magic that 2014 technology can deliver. I just love listening to this album with my receiver's DSP in full surround... check out that wobbling plate effect! Glad you're back guys..been too long.