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    Decapolis December 2004/Layton
    Layton — Grand Design cover

    Layton

    Grand Design

    (2004)

    Reviewed by Derek Skillings

    Discogs
    Label LunaticworksDecapolisDecember 2004
    dance popnew wavesynth pop

    David Bowie! David Bowie! David Bowie! David Bowie! Now that I have that off my chest I can start the review. But seriously everything about this album reeks of Bowie (Scary Monsters era), the music, the cover, the album title. The good news is you can't pick a much better person to be heavily influenced by than Bowie. This is a wonderful time capsule back to early 80's synth pop. The brother/sister duo that front Layton, Paul and Lara Layton, do it oh so well.

    The music itself is just a wonderful mixture of pop synths, danceable beats, and wonderful dreamy vocals. This is music from the highly danceable future, one that looks a lot like the 80's. You know how the future looks in every 80's movie, that's what this is. Although the whole album keeps you going, they pack all the heavy hitters in the first three tracks: C-June, Hope's All There Is, and Roundagon.

    This album is meant for one thing, fun. So get hopped up on some white powder, sugar mind you, I know what you were thinking, and dance away. I highly recommend this album for a good time and a visit back to when things and hair were cooler.

    3/4

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