Semsroth has created turmoil filled synthscapes haunted by the vocals, and vocoders, of Uwe Marx. Under his Television Set moniker he has produced catchy melodies swaddled in melancholy.
In from school. Great stuff, those records from Pelicanneck have arrived. Couple from Gescom, Plaid’s Booc and a split 12” on A.D.S.R.. First side Skanfrom, second Bakterielle Infektion. This was my first encounter with Roger Semsroth, aka Skanfrom, aka Television Set, aka Sleeparchive and half of Bakterielle Infektion. It certainly would not be the last. From that day, back in 2000, I’ve been a firm fan of Mr Semsroth. Genetic Music are of the same lilt, offering up a selection of Eps and albums by Roger and his incarnations. Genetic are once again turning to the sounds of Semsroth, reissuing his Television Set album ‘Moscow at Midnight and his latest work with Uwe Marx for Bakterielle Infektion’s In Grief.
It is immediately evident from “Liquid Skies” that B.I. have started down a darker path. The poppier sounds of the past have been engulfed by industrial influences and grittier vocals. “Bisphemol A” strides forth with clinical electro chords and terse beats, again with ashen lyrics. “In Tranzit” reads like a blackened city, one filled with metallic churns and an analogue emptiness. The tracks sound like B.I. have been reading J.G. Ballard, his dystopian outlook being reflected in this EBM twosome. Instrumentals pepper the 12”, such as the harsh, almost charred, feel of “Vostak Station.” The EP can be summed up in the disillusioned “On Ice.” Electro echoes return in this piece about a life lost, a wasted youth and the realisation that things are as bleak as they seem. A powerful, almost catchy, piece to end on.
Alongside this new material is some old. Television Set’s Moscow at Midnight album returns to Genetic on CD. Semsroth’s Television Set sound sits somewhere between B.I. and Skanfrom, combining some of the angst of the former and analogue pop of the latter. The album starts with the bleepy wamrth of “Earth” but a chillier tone arrives with the monotone vocals of “I Don’t Like to Dance” and “The City.” The tracks have a C64 quality to them, very video synth based but cut through by some colder tones; as in “Neon City Girls.” The self titled “Television Set” is a cover of Depeche Mode’s classic, with Semsroth doing the original proud. “Moscow at Midnight” is a superbly minimal piece, plinking and plonking with terse lyrics. The short run of “Outro” plays things to a close.
Roger Semsroth is an artist who never received the full attention he deserves. As part of B.I. Semsroth has created turmoil filled synthscapes haunted by the vocals, and vocoders, of Uwe Marx. Under his Television Set moniker he has produced catchy melodies swaddled in melancholy. Genetic have once again showcase this varied, talented and innovative artist, and very rightly so.
Both releases are available on Genetic Music.
