This band really excited me the first time I heard the intro to first track: 'In Heat', they reminded me of 65 Days of static with an electro slant and I was forced to turn the volume way up. Not only that but they have worked with a great electro band, Crystal Castles and even opened up for Nine Inch Nails in 2008. Their music is a concoction of powerful drumming, meaty guitars with some industrial and electro influences thrown in for good measure. However, as the album went on, I found my initial excitement fading slightly as the tracks inevitably melded into one. Ever so slightly same-y I wondered if Health were a one trick electrical pony.
The general theme of the album seems to be to focus on the instruments over vocals (which by the way sound a tad like a robot-ghost, if such a thing exists...). The band themselves have described the role of the lyrics as being "purposely kept vague for the listener" which is very true, and in this case it does work as the instrumentals in here totally steal the spotlight. They are bold, and at times brutal, which isn't surprising when you look at certain song names: 'Die Slow', 'Death+' and 'Eat Flesh', but oddly the most jarring song of the album was 'Nice Girls' which sounded more like a battle cry. The whole thing takes you on a bit of a manic journey to some dark, surreal places- some of which I appreciated, some of which made my head hurt.

As the journey continued with me sitting in the back seat a little confused as to whether or not I loved this band , the second to last song kicked in and eased my troubles. 'We are Water' is the most melodic and "soft" song which three quarters of the way in pauses for breath... then turns a completely different direction. This song showed the essential versatility I was hunting for which continued to show itself in the form of the final track, 'In Violet'. The only shame was that it took them that long to show it!

Overall I love what they are trying to do and anyone who likes their electro with balls will enjoy this. I’m going to keep my ear to the ground on this one and wait to see what their next album sounds like, because it could be genius.

By Kat Nicholls

www.myspace.com/healthmusic