It's crazy how Christendom has had Joy Electric as its own electro-pop secret all these years. Crazier still how Ronnie Martin's one-man band defies the presupposed conventions of its genre by getting more textually and texturally nuanced with time. Not coincidentally, JE's latest (and last in a trilogy) Hello, Mannequin, trades in synthetically rendered impressions of time's ravages on relationships. If Martin isn't disillusioned with God, he sounds sad over how some of His human creation have wronged him. This malaise happily makes for some of JE's hookiest numbers in years, from mining a Gary Numan influence ("Who Are Friends?") to employing the name of an unheralded inventor as a metaphor for neglected friendship ("Nickola Tesla"). And if "Post Calendar" is another slice of some of the best hi-NRG, Eurodisco, homosexual club patrons may never hear, "I Am A Pioneer" brings just enough ego to assert Martin's place as a trailblazer of reinvented analog electronic music. Throughout, Martin's debt to musical mentors such as Numan, John Foxx-era Ultravox and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark may be made plainer than ever just as, paradoxically enough, his own creativity emerges more singularly. Shame that Martin (apparently) had to work through some mess for Hello, Mannequin's inspiration, but the redeemed melancholy of his catharsis makes for compelling artistry.
Editors' ratings — Doug 3/5, David 3.5/5
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth November 2004Reviewed by Kevin MathewsYou've gotta admire Ronnie (Joy Electric) Martin's perseverance and his dogged commitment to his craft. "This recording contains vocals and synthesizers" Would Martin have been more at home during the early eighties in the UK where this genre was at its commercial peak than in the unforgiving modern rock landscape? Perhaps, but he would not be making the strident independent statement he is…Decapolis September 2004Reviewed by Mike LeechRonnie Martin does what he wants, when he wants. Exhibit A: In 1994, when the last thing anyone on the face of the planet wanted to hear was nitty-gritty synth pop, Martin inflexibly replied, "Screw it. I don't even care." He then went on to release a slew of albums on Tooth & Nail, effectively forcing any fan of the label to ultimately enjoy his music through osmosis. Exhibit B: After shifting…The Phantom Tollbooth July 2004Reviewed by Aaron C. AndersonHello Mannequin, I'm tired Hello Mannequin, I'm cold Hello Mannequin, I'm hungry Hello Mannequin, I'm weak Hello Mannequin, I'm sad Hello Mannequin, I'm angry Hello Mannequin, I'm scared Hello Mannequin, will you be my friend? This is how Ronnie Martin, the brainchild behind Joy Electric, chooses to open his latest album entitled quite fittingly, Hello Mannequin. From the opening lyrics the…Similar sounding releases
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