Hadouken! gives taste of British techno

 by Adam Chaikin
 published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008

British dance music is always enjoyable. Hadouken!, a techno group that hails from the UK, has produced "Music For an Accelerated Culture," an album that wastes no time delivering intense, energetic, and groove-able tunes.

The album is a powerhouse right from the get-go.

The music, which employs conventional drum, bass and guitar in conjunction with synthesizers and keyboards, is a high-octane techno blend concoction.

The sound of the album conjures up thoughts of other techno groups, including Justice, the Prodigy and Daft Punk.

There is little to dislike about the album, save for some slight repetition, which is not a noteworthy concern, considering this is techno.

Aside from the tracks that sound alike, there are actually many that stand alone and promote the unique quality of the group. Songs like "Declaration of War" and "What She Did" change the pace of the album ever so slightly, which keeps the listener rapt.

The only aspect of the sound that is not particularly useful is, unfortunately, the vocals. The vocals of Hadouken! are the component that draws a comparison to Prodigy, another British techno group that saw their heyday in the '90s.

The difference between the groups is that Prodigy better utilized their vocals, leaving room for catchy sing-a-long choruses and discernable lyrics. Hadouken! and their vocals are tough to decipher, and often seem to be competing with the music. Truthfully, the music is good enough to stand alone.

Hadouken! is a great group, with a wholly satisfying and upbeat sound. "Music For an Accelerated Culture" is a great buy for anyone looking to try something new, or engage in a high-speed car chase.

Be warned though, the actual album is not yet available. The Web site allows prepurchasing, which includes a digital delivery of the album so you can actually hear it, though the physical disc will not be in stores for another week or so. Regardless of whether you preorder, pirate or just wait for the music, Hadouken! is worth your money.

May 5
(Physical release)
April 24
("Aerials" exclusive release)

Reach the reporter at: adam.chaikin@asu.edu.