Martin 101 - Dangerous Cat EP

This release from Martin 101 is a nonsense record, lifted straight from 80s electro-shite. Heavily influenced by the likes of Soft Cell, the Human League and Depeche Mode, title track 'Dangerous Cat' is twenty years too late. The use of voice distortion, keyboards and synths are dated and out of place, as are the plain annoying vocals. Martin 101 is a big name in his native Vienna, and he's attempted to create a catchy electro-glam track. He has failed, however, to produce anything remotely cool or worthy of a second listen. While other artists take inspiration from previous decades and give it a modern twist, Martin 101 is simply a creepy, comical eighties throwback (demonstrated spectacularly on track four when he covers Chip Taylor's classic 'Wild Thing' and invests it with a distinctly Alan Partridge-esque sound). Best avoided. [Karen Taggart]