"Your music is very intense and we do like it. I took the tape with me
while driving by car and I enjoyed very much listening to it."
by Oli Rosch of Hyperium and Hypnobeat Records
while driving by car and I enjoyed very much listening to it."
by Oli Rosch of Hyperium and Hypnobeat Records
Joshua Bourke - Regenerated - (Cassette)"Debut release from
American
solo artist Bourke, which is now available in the States via STAR CRASH RECORDS as a CD. His brand of electronic music which is EBM with a
commercial edge, lies somewhere between the catchy songs of Depeche
Mode mixed with touches of experimentation with sounds that bring to
mind Fad Gadget. The material is definitely being aimed at a wider
audience, with more resources for production and promotion who knows."
by BIZARRE issue number 9
solo artist Bourke, which is now available in the States via STAR CRASH RECORDS as a CD. His brand of electronic music which is EBM with a
commercial edge, lies somewhere between the catchy songs of Depeche
Mode mixed with touches of experimentation with sounds that bring to
mind Fad Gadget. The material is definitely being aimed at a wider
audience, with more resources for production and promotion who knows."
by BIZARRE issue number 9
Joshua Bourke Electrogoth"...as it is a refreshingly different
90's sound-a
real blast from the New Romantic past! Joshua has managed to come
up with an 80's feel, but origional and non-regressionist music that is quite
addictive. At times it is faintly reminiscent of Depeche Mode, The Cure,
John Foxx, and Visage, with (again!) some M 4 Alice guitaresque slides.
Lovely. The track 'Sometimes' really stands out, even better than the
others-this is high quality stuff. If it was only on vinyl-the Catacombs
regulars would love this one! One of Joshua's tracks will be on the
Akasha Inc. compilation. Akasha Inc. will be selling his latest CD soon.
Watch this space! Rating: ****
"by The Dark Is Rising issue number 7
real blast from the New Romantic past! Joshua has managed to come
up with an 80's feel, but origional and non-regressionist music that is quite
addictive. At times it is faintly reminiscent of Depeche Mode, The Cure,
John Foxx, and Visage, with (again!) some M 4 Alice guitaresque slides.
Lovely. The track 'Sometimes' really stands out, even better than the
others-this is high quality stuff. If it was only on vinyl-the Catacombs
regulars would love this one! One of Joshua's tracks will be on the
Akasha Inc. compilation. Akasha Inc. will be selling his latest CD soon.
Watch this space! Rating: ****
"by The Dark Is Rising issue number 7
Joshua Bourke - Restoration (CD, indie, 1996)"This CD has
been
described by others as electro-gothic. After listening to this CD, I feel
that this term does not adequately describe the music of Joshua Bourke.
At first listen, the CD has a scrumptious blend of flowing ambient synths
and electro-based ryhtym and percussion. The tone of the vocals is
relaxed and unforced, which complements the music very well. The
lyrics are simple, recognizable and insightful. In "Let it Go", JB reminds
us that it is best to surrender our burdens over to God so that we may
begin to experience his healing for our souls. JB generally stays on the
periphery of the industrial genre but takes a step inside with "Run", a more
experimental track with uniquely manipulated vocals. Production wise, the
CD is solid. If you enjoy the sounds of Depeche Mode, Erasure,
The Cure, New Order or Duran Duran, I suggest you give JB a listen."
(by Richard Maaranen)
described by others as electro-gothic. After listening to this CD, I feel
that this term does not adequately describe the music of Joshua Bourke.
At first listen, the CD has a scrumptious blend of flowing ambient synths
and electro-based ryhtym and percussion. The tone of the vocals is
relaxed and unforced, which complements the music very well. The
lyrics are simple, recognizable and insightful. In "Let it Go", JB reminds
us that it is best to surrender our burdens over to God so that we may
begin to experience his healing for our souls. JB generally stays on the
periphery of the industrial genre but takes a step inside with "Run", a more
experimental track with uniquely manipulated vocals. Production wise, the
CD is solid. If you enjoy the sounds of Depeche Mode, Erasure,
The Cure, New Order or Duran Duran, I suggest you give JB a listen."
(by Richard Maaranen)
"JOSHUA BOURKE'S Regenerated was first reviewed here as a
tape
but was then (June 1996) issued as a CD with an extra track and a new
version of the song, 'And I Speak'. The following remarks are based
on the tape version. Joshua's music is synth-pop/techno-industrial music
with punky vocals. Joshua has a good voice and this is a very competent
sound with good melodies, interesting words and clear and relaxed
delivery. The first number, a fairly techno piece about the Apocalypse
(with a cuckoo clock rather amusingly symbolising the end of time), is
particularly good and shows a lot of promise. The second and third tracks
are more poppy, while the fourth and last is classic synth-pop. This is a
solo performance and the overall impression is thus obviously of
one-man-and-a-synth but the potential is certainly there."
by RIK at FLUX
but was then (June 1996) issued as a CD with an extra track and a new
version of the song, 'And I Speak'. The following remarks are based
on the tape version. Joshua's music is synth-pop/techno-industrial music
with punky vocals. Joshua has a good voice and this is a very competent
sound with good melodies, interesting words and clear and relaxed
delivery. The first number, a fairly techno piece about the Apocalypse
(with a cuckoo clock rather amusingly symbolising the end of time), is
particularly good and shows a lot of promise. The second and third tracks
are more poppy, while the fourth and last is classic synth-pop. This is a
solo performance and the overall impression is thus obviously of
one-man-and-a-synth but the potential is certainly there."
by RIK at FLUX
"Some of the best dnb/ambient/idm stuff on mp3.com, he is
original
and produces very high quality tunes, mastered well, an all around great
listening experience."
Review by Lo Fi Networks.
and produces very high quality tunes, mastered well, an all around great
listening experience."
Review by Lo Fi Networks.
Somewhere well beyond the edges of mainstream, there is a fringe
of
the musical society that plunge themselves into Drum & Bass, Electronica,
Techno, and Industrial in efforts to break through with something intriguing
and new, yet compelling to the everyday Joe. The Elect proves Joshua
Bourke is a success story from that fringe. The album hosts a collection
of new pieces as well as refinements from previous compilation
appearances in its presentation of at times experimental yet always
presentable electronic material. So-Cal based Bourke is a busy guy,
with prolific compilation appearances credited under his own name as
well as acting as a major player in industrial Fatal Blast Whip (now
Controversy Under Fire) and goth-electronica Sleepy Hollow. Listening
to his side projects, his solo material provides a great opportunity to
separate out the programming elements that give proof to his excellent
skills. The album follows a definite progression, with great Drum & Bass
in the beginning, dark yet upbeat electronic in the middle, and vocals
over brooding synths at the end. Things start off with Bourke's strength
and reputation from his solo work with some outstanding electronics-heavy
drum & bass. 'Soul Shaper' provides a wild ride whose only drawback is
that it has to end. Fast BPM, creative layers, and a spacey element
injected with a killer drum line make the track perfect for Disney's Space
Mountain ride without those annoying limitations like how fast those cars
can move. 'Light Storm' continues in kind, with more of a sci-fi element
thrown in. Apparently the track was released on an earlier compilation in
a shortened form, but I can't imagine the track being anything other than
what it is, killer electronic D&B. The only thing consistent with 'Shelter' is
the background drum loop (although even that gets a momentary shot at
distortion), with wave upon wave of crazy synths, electronics, and this
great bass line that pokes its head in a couple of times almost as a
teaser. The album starts a definite shift towards surreal with 'The Final
Time'. The drum & bass of the previous tracks gives way to pulsating
electronics reminiscent of the more serious material from Kraftwerk. This
mood is carried over and darkened a bit with 'I Dream To Find', with some
excellent distant vocals those familiar with the Positively Charged
Electrons mix 'Seven' will recognize. The vocals continue to lead on
the final four songs, beginning with the bass heavy, dark and brooding
track 'The Armor'. The synth and vocal number 'Where Do We Go' took
me by surprise. Outside of the slight effects on the vocals, it is very
reminiscent of later material by Painted Orange, bordering on full-on
synth-pop with a bit of melancholy thrown in. Just to prove there is no
set box or classification for this guy, 'Run' takes off with a thick tribal
jungle beat under chaotic fuzzed guitars and vocals that are heavy on
the echo. The album wraps things up with 'Sometimes', another synth
number that's a bit heavier on the distortion but synth none-the-less.
Finally, a great offering of what Bourke has to offer all in one CD.
Excellent on the merit of its Drum & Bass alone, the remaining material
definitely an added bonus.
by Chad --The Edge On-Line
the musical society that plunge themselves into Drum & Bass, Electronica,
Techno, and Industrial in efforts to break through with something intriguing
and new, yet compelling to the everyday Joe. The Elect proves Joshua
Bourke is a success story from that fringe. The album hosts a collection
of new pieces as well as refinements from previous compilation
appearances in its presentation of at times experimental yet always
presentable electronic material. So-Cal based Bourke is a busy guy,
with prolific compilation appearances credited under his own name as
well as acting as a major player in industrial Fatal Blast Whip (now
Controversy Under Fire) and goth-electronica Sleepy Hollow. Listening
to his side projects, his solo material provides a great opportunity to
separate out the programming elements that give proof to his excellent
skills. The album follows a definite progression, with great Drum & Bass
in the beginning, dark yet upbeat electronic in the middle, and vocals
over brooding synths at the end. Things start off with Bourke's strength
and reputation from his solo work with some outstanding electronics-heavy
drum & bass. 'Soul Shaper' provides a wild ride whose only drawback is
that it has to end. Fast BPM, creative layers, and a spacey element
injected with a killer drum line make the track perfect for Disney's Space
Mountain ride without those annoying limitations like how fast those cars
can move. 'Light Storm' continues in kind, with more of a sci-fi element
thrown in. Apparently the track was released on an earlier compilation in
a shortened form, but I can't imagine the track being anything other than
what it is, killer electronic D&B. The only thing consistent with 'Shelter' is
the background drum loop (although even that gets a momentary shot at
distortion), with wave upon wave of crazy synths, electronics, and this
great bass line that pokes its head in a couple of times almost as a
teaser. The album starts a definite shift towards surreal with 'The Final
Time'. The drum & bass of the previous tracks gives way to pulsating
electronics reminiscent of the more serious material from Kraftwerk. This
mood is carried over and darkened a bit with 'I Dream To Find', with some
excellent distant vocals those familiar with the Positively Charged
Electrons mix 'Seven' will recognize. The vocals continue to lead on
the final four songs, beginning with the bass heavy, dark and brooding
track 'The Armor'. The synth and vocal number 'Where Do We Go' took
me by surprise. Outside of the slight effects on the vocals, it is very
reminiscent of later material by Painted Orange, bordering on full-on
synth-pop with a bit of melancholy thrown in. Just to prove there is no
set box or classification for this guy, 'Run' takes off with a thick tribal
jungle beat under chaotic fuzzed guitars and vocals that are heavy on
the echo. The album wraps things up with 'Sometimes', another synth
number that's a bit heavier on the distortion but synth none-the-less.
Finally, a great offering of what Bourke has to offer all in one CD.
Excellent on the merit of its Drum & Bass alone, the remaining material
definitely an added bonus.
by Chad --The Edge On-Line
Hi DarkUFO here, Just listend to a selection of your tracks, and
they are very good. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Andy (aka DarkUFO)
Cheers Andy (aka DarkUFO)