[.ca] The Tick Tock Treasury

The Legacy Continues with Volume 2:
3 1/2 Stars Joy Electric is back after his last smashing release, The White SongBook. That record held for me the most important turning point in JE's musical direction. For me it was the first time that Ronnie's meloncholy voice/lyrics and high tempo music finally fused into the perfect combination making him feel much more listenable around others. I was finally able to show others a record that perfectly explained why I liked this strange techno/beep music. In The Tick Tock Treasury Ronnie continues his legacy series and does an excellent follow up to the white song book. His lyrics seem very introspective and allegorical, as in the past. It has many upbeat tracks as well as his signature low tempo electronic ballads. Many tracks work really well, but the album doesn't really pick up until track 4. While his infectious melodies are still their I felt a bit let down by the repetitious nature of a few of his choruses, choosing to merely repeat one phrase for the last few minutes made a few songs grow stale. It seemed as though he had mastered the art of the 6 minute track, on this record a few of his choices feel a bit forced in order to extend the track. Not as perfect as The White Song Book but this record is still some of the most original music you can find today. It's far too easy to dismiss it as "video game music" because if you do then you really aren't paying attention to Ronnie's lyrics or mood. The quiet tension he builds in each song makes one feel like he's going to burst at any moment, either from love or sadness. His meloncholy point of view is classic reminding me of such groups as Tears for Fears or The Cure who were notorious for adding surprisingly sad lyrics to up beat pop songs. If your tired of the same old \ostuff\c, this music will give you something new to sing about. It'll grow on you, and remember their are NO drum machines and NO sampling. This is all Ronnie, working \o\cto make music like only he can. for the outcasts...

• The Tick Tock Treaury
• Misfortune's Apprentice
• (Play Each Note) By Metronome
• Such As It Was
• Saint Glockenspiel Science Faire
• The Chronometers Of Switzerland
• (I Am) Made From the Wires
• J.E. Picturephone (Reflect You, I Connect You)
• The Confectionary
• (Design) The Blueprints For Joy
• C Minor Miners
• Tick Tock Goes The Melody