Finally dEUS made a new album. It would be wrong to say that dEUS is a popular group, however the fans (of which I am amongst) are very dedicated.

Well. Vantage point...
The record was preceded by two singles (The Architect & Slow) which are two very good tracks - Slow even featured a video including early teen girls dancing (daring i Belgium, I should say - appearantly they still got sarcastic bite! :-) ).

On average the tracks are very well played, but the reason why this album cannot make it to five stars is that I miss some of the madness dEUS also has been known for - and especially I do not believe the lyrics to be neither as well written or delivered as on the two (three?) earlier albums.

The tracks The Architect and Slow is more 'the new dEUS' as heard on Pocket Revolution, whereas Is A Robot points more in the direction of The Ideal Crash with it's two changing musical themes. Smokers Reflect is a new approach to the ballad - a very positive development.

The rest of the tracks are so-so I have to say. There is not a bad track, but still I get the impression that some of them are just there to fill out the space.

In terms of sound dEUS has included female backing vocals which is great and children choir which is - uhm, well - nevermind.
I *REALLY* miss the trumpet which we haven't heard since The Ideal Crash.
Even the violin is now playing a very minor role which I find to be a darn shame, as dEUS has been one of the bands to use these instruments (along with an occasional banjo) without ever sounding like a folk-rock band or fall into the country-trap.
I just wish by God (dEUS) that the band will not develop into another conform guitar band, but still stick to (some of) the madness.

This is all very critical, but I cannot deny that the record is good -
Noone can build a mood into a song like dEUS.
I'm very much looking forward to see the band playing live!

This masterpiece is their most cohesive work to date. Not a bad song in sight. I'd like to draw a parallel to Sonic Youth though: brilliant music but you have to invest some time to fully comprehend this. Do this and you'll find an album that could take this band everywhere!

Another great record by the best band from the Lowlands ! Buy it !