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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The third Systems In Blue album

Finally is here!!! yes... the new and so long time waited Systems In Blue album finally is here. The official release had to be advanced for personal reasons, but it's ok. Fans finally got to hear and enjoy the tracks that Detlef, Michael and Olaf were working long time for them. And for our surprise this is a different album, a new point of no return that came out of the blue.
Here my personal review. 



They start with the song that had to be the real title of this album, “Back In Blue”, it seems it came a bit late, in fact this track was missing in the previous release of the special EP called “Back In Blue”, funny that the record name didn’t include the title song. The truth is that the EP name had to be Melange Bleu instead Back In Blue and viceversa, but things happened in this way. Back In Blue starts with an hypnotizing irish chanting that make it sounds epic, and lyrics seems to be a fast chronic of all what happened to SIB after Rolf's lost, all the struggle, the breaking, the rebuilding, the triumph and the comeback against all odds. Olaf sings it wonderful, we said since the beginning, he was a great and positive addition for the band, his voice is fresh and energetic. One thing that doesn’t fit in this track is the sample of "Ma Baker"... actually we don’t understand what has to do it there, anyway it contributes with the catchy rhythm and really doesn’t disturb too much.

The second song is the more favorite of fans. “There’s No Heart”, resembles directly to a known hit of our more sacred stuff as MT fans. Actually I believe the complete name of this song had to be “There’s No Heart, There’s No Soul”, but maybe it would make it too evident. If we recall, Detlef commented in a past interview that he would like to make his own version of YMHYMS, the classic hit of Modern Talking, and he fulfilled his promise now with the inclusion of this track in this album. Of course this version is a clear and total SIB version, is not an 80’s song and not a remix, is a new track in homage to the old hit of MT with different variations in arrangements and voices. The high pitch choir has also a curious even higher extension, a luxury we only can have on a SIB album.

Now the third song, maybe it was one of the more commented before the release, the intro of "Lady Ocean" is similar to a classic Eurodance hit of 90’s, but that’s the only thing, so no!, is not a cover of Haddaway, the rest of the song is a total different song and one with a more rich variation of sounds and arrangements. I have to admit that my favorite part is when they sing “Here we go! Talking Forever…”, once you are into the rhythm and tune you can realize that is a very typical SIB song. Vocal parts of Scholz sound a bit weak in this version but  the company of Olaf get to save it.

The fourth track is our already well known song of the first single, “Take It Like A Man”, and maybe for the time listening it, our ears are used to it already, this is probably the more loyal to the old typical SIB sound, but with a weak instrumental part that didn’t convinced since the first time. Anyway is one of the favorite of fans, so we think the song already got its public.

The next fifth song is a ballad, normally we expect to have one or two ballads in every album and in same way than in Out Of The Blue, “All That I Need” keeps the dance style despite is not an uptempo song. Olaf has here a chance for show the power of his vocals and has let to many fans surprised with it.

The track number six  is “If You Go”, the more sad song of the album, the background music recalls maybe some 80’s eurodisco beats of bands like Bad Boys Blue, arrangements are well done and lyrics just tell all. A sincere message from SIB to their fans… very touching and emotional for those who were followers of this band since the beginning.  Michael sings it with a raspy and decayed voice that give to the song an even stronger gloomy touch and it sounds contrasting when suddenly appears the clean vocals of Olaf, singing a bonus part after the second refrain. Maybe not a song for become a hit, but a song for be in the top one right there in the heart.

Next song is “It’s Ok”, SIB guys sing this song in good harmony, you won’t hear a dominant voice here, it’s an interesting new song, but we can only comment the same of the title, so It's ok.

The eighth track is one of the best songs of the album, “Ninety Five” is a well done work in composition, arrangements, instruments and voices. We can enjoy everything of this track, the choir has a very special voice’s game that only SIB as professionals could get in this way, the music is simply an excellent work that make you feel your don't want it ends. A pity the curious mispelled problem of the title that carried since the release.

“She is a Gambler”, is an uptempo song, more in the Johann style, modern eurodisco with some SIB falsettos. Maybe good for dance a while.

The tenth song, "Only You Can Break My Heart", is one of the favorites from fans, music is catchy, the composition is well constructed and this time includes plenty the so famous high pitch choir that SIB fans are always wishing to hear. Good song for remember from whom is this album, the low point are the lyrics, superficial and empty, but we can't complain because many Modern Talking hits were in this way.

And the last song of the album “Gimme Gimme”, it resembles to Blue System, actually it should be the way Blue System could sound in nowadays. Michael sings the vocals this time, choir tries to follow a simple catchy tune, but let a feeling of wish to hear something else. Anyway for be the last song, is something light.  

So that's my personal review of this third album "Back In Blue", or I mean "Melange Bleu". 

I am grateful with SIB members for this work, we all know what it has cost. Thanks to Johann Perrier for his motivation and support, thanks to Olaf Senkbeil for all the contribution of his talent, thanks to Michael Scholz for survive and our big and special thanks to our good friend Detlef Wiedeke, thanks for believe again, for make it possible, our extra personal thanks to him for allow to my partner dj-andy and me to listen the songs months before the official release. This is a big step forward for Systems In Blue and we only wish them all the good luck they need. We will be always there supporting them as friends.  

The physical release includes 4 extended special versions, so we hope all fans can get this great work that SIB is giving us after almost ten years. Get your CD here.