Alan Replica (official web site)

DARKENED album - Reviews "Alan Replica – the Darkened collection "
“A powerful, deepening, sore progression into dark obsessive emotional, etching-like, ethereal anthems, culminating in “Children of Millenniums”, “Our Poisoned Faith”, “This Eternal Life”, “Until Kingdom Come”, and soothing down with “100 Years Time”, that clutches to your mind with a charm of outmoded romanticism… Beautiful. Alan Replica incomparably blends here color with light in his music, and its earthshine." -

"Alan Replica – Darkening skies "
“Darkened is full of textures and atmospheres merging into one another like changing skies, a foreboding light, that announce the coming of the Furies. " -

"Alan Replica releases his furies "
“Heavy, electro-goth, new romantic sounding, Darkened is a slow descent into darker landscapes and obsessive rhythms where insistent strings and hypnotic choirs mark the counterpoint; all the more powerful and entangled. " -

"Alan Replica – Encounter with a vampire? "
“Seems like Alan Replica has definitely chosen to go darker down the electro path, meeting with the goth scene, with his new ‘electro-goth' album: Darkened . Most interesting are the lyrics, with his taking on a vampire persona, relating an unusual and moving (predator's) perception of out of time romance. Most, if not all the songs, show a solid construction, but the most effective in this aspect are Children of Millenniums, Redemption, Our Poisoned Faith, This Eternal Life, Darkened and Until Kingdom Come; with a gentle voice on rough music, the stories might let you wondering... A remarkable (big) notch up with his previous releases. " -

SIMULACRA album - Reviews "Simulacra"
“The new Alan Replica has a good variety of synthpop electronics. 14 tracks here with some slower melancholic as well as dancey fun tracks that show his signature sound. Showing lots of emotion and synthpop in a modern setting with personal songs to relate with.” - DSBP Records

We're On Automatic
“A wonderful new album from Alan Replica, following 2004's Clockworks, Juliet. Very nice electronic stuff, on the boundary between goth and synthpop. I like the scifi tone to the lyrics as well. This album is a little more driven than Clockworks, a little more of a beat (not that Clockworks didn't have one). A little like Assemblage 23, but with more of a wall of sound, and not as dark, but more existential.” - Eleanor Skinner (Amazon)

Mary & John
"the best thing after classic rock.” – (Genvy)

The Alien Dreams of Alan Replica...
“Alan Replica's new album, Simulacra, came out this month via Ninthwave Records. Hailing from France, Replica's music has a classic, dark-wave vibe to it that any fan of Kreidler, Gary Numan or Fad Gadget will surely embrace. The new album contains 14 songs. I highly suggest grabbing this album when it comes out and anything else he releases. If you long for the early days of electronic music, Alan Replica is keeping it alive and well.” - Paul Fucito

Simulacra
“Mr. Replica has proven himself very talented at creating catchy synth compositions.
I really enjoyed his previous album, 'Clockworks, Juliet'*, so I was looking forward to this release. As it turns out, this is more of the same, but with additional catchy electronic melodies and original lyrics. The production has improved significantly as well. The presentation is similar to his debut album, with a 'mannequin' of sorts on the cover. This release features the 'domestic female android', which fits the album with it's focus on artificial life. There are more stand-out tracks on this album, and all of them sound great; many featuring excellent build-ups and strong melodies. Several tracks remind of the movie Blade Runner; 'I Feel Real', in particular, features synths similar to those in the end credits of that movie. This time around, there is a bit more experimentation with sound, which makes for a more varied album. But, as with most electronic pop albums, it could have benefited from a few instrumentals to even out all the vocal tracks. Replica's songs edge a little towards soft rock at times, but the strong use of percussion and synth keeps his unique style. His lyrics can be complex, so I would recommend checking out the lyrics page on his website: www.alanreplica.com . With strong melodies, excellent use of synths, and story-telling lyrics, this is a solid release - (My Space)”

20th Century Chronicles
“For me, this album works like a fragmented puzzle, or a kaleidoscope of chronicles of the 20th Century, in the music and the story. Will this album find its contemporary audience? Else this CD will stay a fascinating object, lost in time. I have personally appreciated a lot the combining of a powerful sound, a romantic restraint and a trademark of 'fragility'; there is undoubtedly an addictive alchemy about this new Alan Replica 'Simulacra' album. I suspect that Mr Replica is distilling this fascination with complete mastery.” - A.V. Mc Eirhing

"Simulacra"
“Ninthwave Records recently announced that the label would pretty much shut down this year, but it looks like they want to go out with at least one more anticipated release. Alan Replica's new album is now out, and once again the classic Gary Numan influence can be heard, though this time the tempo is more intense and the overall sound is more progressive. It's like classic new wave / new romantic, pumped up for the modern synthpop dance club. The instrumentation is often lush and intense, in to my ear, it sounds like Alan Replica has taken a leap forward to where the music will appeal to a larger audience, and this is probably a release that could bring Ninthwave back to life.” – (A Different Drum)

Announcement
“sounds like heavy synth.. On the heels of his well received Clockworks, Juliet album, France's Alan Replica releases a second album of new wave flavoured rock. Simulacra features 14 brand new songs, including the title track (featured of several compilation CDs in the past year) and 'We're On Automatic', featured on the Fox TV show ''Reunion.'' For fans of Gary Numan, Darkwave, Goth, My Chemical Romance..” - (Ninthwave Records)

Live show at The Goudvishal - Review in Gothtronic "The French mastermind of Alan Replica obviously felt like playing after not doing shows for years. He hadn’t been on stage for about sixteen years which was – in a positive way – showing off. Anyone could see he had an immense enthusiasm and lust for it. You can seldom see an artist become one with his installations while playing, of which by the way the youngest instrument played originates from 1988. In the beginning the audience had a hard time getting in the mood but after a while they did enjoy themselves with the authentic eighties pieces. Like a true flashback the synthesizer bleeps, British vocals and dark clouds floated around into the audience. Skilful and loving, Alan Replica is still making real wave."

Clockworks, Juliet album - Summary of Reviews ”a synthpop opera” – Chicago Readers
“a mix of cold sci-fi machinery, rock guitars and orchestral ornaments” – Amazon.com
“melodic and fast beat synthesizer anthems with heavy guitars and kick drum” – Industrial Music
“an intriguing blend of special voice, catchy tunes, heavy electronics and a symphonic palette” – Yet Another Electro Web site
“Alan Replica boasts one of today's most unique voices in electropop.” – Lexicon Magazine
“Alan Replica is someone we shall now on have to count with in the world of melancholic Electro-Pop” – Obskure Magazine.
“Dark, foreboding, almost industrial sounds combined with insightful lyrics and pop melodies make this album unique in the world of synthpop.” – Side-Line Magazine
“you're in for a unique listening experience” – Synthpop Net (Jason Baker)

Clockworks, Juliet album - Chicago Readers Best of 2004 Poll The Clockworks, Juliet CD was ranked #5 on the Chicago Readers poll electing best top ten albums for 2004. Review read :

"An 80's new-wave also-ran returns to music with a synthpop opera in which drone's dreams are stolen by the overlords of a consumerist dystopia." Don't ask me where it all comes from, but one thing I can tell, it sounds like it was some good one too...

Clockworks, Juliet album - Synthpopmusic & Lexicon Magazine Best of 2004 Poll The Clockworks, Juliet CD was ranked #2 on the Lexicon magazine Best Sellers Top 25 albums for 2004. It ranked #3 poll electing Top Ten albums for 2005 first quarter.

Clockworks, Juliet album - Sample of Reviews in various magazines " “Isolation,” the opening track on Clockworks, Juliet, is the rare song that lives up to its title. Synthesizers trickle like raindrops and the forlorn melody plays like a face pressed up against a cold windowpane watching the night. Alan Replica sings on the verge of tears, all cracking chords and congested nasal passages, as the song beckons listeners to continue on with the album. Alan Replica works with slow, plodding beats that increase in speed and intensity as the album progresses. Soon, the strings enter, and it becomes apparent that this is one of the most genuine attempts at producing high-quality synthpop to make it onto album in some time. There is no trace of tongue-in-cheek ‘80s posing, no cries for the rhythmless nation to take to the dance floor and make like dying robots. This is music for people who find romance hidden within Japan and Ultravox records." - Liz O. (Razorcake Mag.)

"This is the debut album for Alan Replica, formerly known as MASQ on the Electricity Volume II sampler. The reason for the name change was due to problems copyrighting the name MASQ, but the music is still just as intriguing, so the only major change was the name. Actually, this is the first of three albums, as according to the official Ninthwave site, the second album is already finished, and work on the third is already underway. From the info also at that page, you can easily see the influences on this project are diverse, running the gamut from Elvis Costello to Pachelbel to Gary Numan. Just from that listing, you can probably tell you're in for a unique listening experience here. And Alan Replica certainly delivers on that. The at times stilted vocal delivery is coupled with some very smooth electronic pop music, yielding a listening experience that brings to mind ruminations of Gary Numan and New Order, but with a unique flavor all it's own. I've found that after several listens, this album is best listened to all the way through, in one sitting. There are some songs that stand out on their own, such as "Isolation", "Intrusion", "Factys II", "Soul Corruption", "Machineries Of Joy" and "20th Century Rust", but overall the album is best viewed as a whole. After listening to the album as a whole, I think you'll find a lot of similarity to some of the previous 80's artists, but with a unique feel to it." - Jason Baker (Synthpop.net)

"Clockworks, Juliet is a collection of calibrated, melodic and lively Pop, Wave songs. Alan Replica (aka « The Marquee » in band MASQ) offers here with this first album solo, one hour of pure electronic smoothness, with roots deep into the 80’s: deep and mellow synthesizers sounds, almost cold wave textures, basic and linear rhythmics, create a moment of pure relaxation, in which Alan Replica’s imperfect and moving vocals, settle in, melting simple and direct tunes. But, this particular Pop is not completely serene. More at ease in medium tones, vocals become more fragile in heights, waver, and yet never lose this undeniable charm, this all the way through « Clockworks, Juliet ». A charm that can remind some of Gary Numan attitudes, yet stays individual. The recording itself renders an impression of considerable tweaking, and undoubtedly this “self-made” touch gives the best impression: Replica forced the approach to its extent; he did not rest on an Electro that could have stayed lo-fi. He’s a perfectionist, a hairsplitter. Everything relies on his resolute choices: the sound stays simple and classical, but the result is of total coherence. Replica makes ‘songs’, his light experimental touches concur with this format, and will only care to spin things out on the excellent “Animas”. Well done, little genius. Our man has brought to each note, each synthesizer layer, a big care in arrangements and mix, which leads to an album of subtle variations and homogeneous colors, without letting a linear progression settling in. Merit even more remarkable that the twenty demos that lead to the present album were completed in two days, that a second album is ready for release, supposedly named “Simulacra” and that a third is already in preparation. Efficient and prolix, Alan Replica is someone we shall now on have to count with in the world of melancholic Electro-Pop. A debut to be followed greatly." - Emmanuel Hennequin (Obskure.com)

"Alan Replica - "Clockworks, Juliet" Ninthwave Records releases here the new Alan Replica (aka MASQ) album "Clockworks, Juliet" featuring a set of 14 homogeneous tracks of a futurist rock style. The songs, rough cut electro, are filled with pulsating sequences, heavy drums and layers of guitars, developing into anthem-like choruses. The atmosphere, a mix of cold sci-fi machinery, rock guitars and orchestral ornaments supports the insinuating melancholic melodies served by Alan Replica’s precise arrangements and sharp voice. The lyrics, relying on a machines world pretext à la Phillip K. Dick, issue strange emotions like disposable snapshots, while evoking topics such as the place of an individual in personal and social relations, deceiving situations and loss. ‘Underlying, "Clockworks, Juliet" highlights the automatisms we use to evade thinking our mortal condition’ (like making music?). Still, cheer up! The music is not as dark and gloomy, and if the influence of pioneers in the genre like Sparks, Ultravox, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, New Order, Anne Clark, Visage… Is well present, Alan Replica walks a path of his own; his constructions based on vintage synthesizers and different period ornaments, introduce a concept of multi-storied (stratums?) moments, pleasingly to the ear. The other pleasant surprise (for the eye this time) is the CD cover, finely-worked by designer Todd M. Lemieux. Producer, David Richards at Ninthwave Records (Macondo, Spray, Empire State Human …) who spotted this artist, has, from the quote of Alan Replica himself, exceptionally enough in the business to be outlined here, left full artistic directions to the artist… Hail! Hail! Futurist Rock! Alan Replica is not really a newcomer, he started back in the 80’s with a band named MASQ, then disappeared for a while; this marks a return to studio work." - (Virgin Mega)

"Debut album from Mr. Replica has been compared to Gary Numan, Ultravox and others. A unique blend of catchy tunes, heavy electronics and a symphonic palette. Check out previews to each song on the album right now at iTunes." - (iTunes)

"New from Ninthwave Records, you can now pick up this new CD of old-school-flavored synthpop by Alan Replica. It has an early 80's feel, reminding me quite a bit of classic Gary Numan, or Peter Shelley (OK, that's one most people probably don't know), or possibly old Visage, or neo-wave act Astrea Redux. The droning, simple vocals and analog synths combine for a very new wave feel-- not too complex, but emotionally effective. Though it's old-school synthpop with vintage instruments, I would not compare it to other bubbly traditionalists like Joy Electric-- this is more dark and mysterious." - (A Different Drum)

"One man, a few instruments, a sequencer and a home studio... that’s what it takes to recover the new-wave trend from the dead 1980s. Behind this raw but energetic EP hides a keyboard manipulator, and the least we know of him emanates from the dark ages contemporary to Eurythmics or depeche Mode. Produced by Ninthwave Records, Alan Replica’s LP is now out since april 13th 2004, and if your curiosity aches, check out the "Electricity 2" compilation by the same record label which should be out by now. It’s still time to reconsider your music genre and hop by www.ninthwaverecords.com or even www.electrogarden.com for more electronic music.
For a more detailed biography, go to http://www.ninthwaverecords.com/replicahome.html where you can discover the man’s influences and the musical rig he uses.
The next album named Simulacra is finished and should be out in 6 months, and Alan’s Replica is working on a third album called Darkness which should be darker and "17th Century ornaments orientated" as he told me.
An interesting fact is the commercialization of the CD: Alan Replica has given the rights to sell his album to an american company (Ninthwaverecords) who intends to distribute it around Northern America only. To overpass this localization, the company and the band have decided to sell the music on the internet, using iTunes, CDbaby, or CdNow... This practice is more and more common for small groups and should be widened as a way to block the massive exchange of "free" music over the internet." (Sounds Mag.)

Reviews of compilation Electricity 2
"First off there is a new song from Heaven 17, the first new track in ??? years. Not only that but a track from one of my favourites, the highly under-rated White Town (who could forget the classic "Your Woman"?). Joining them are some of the staple synthpop names, Fr/action, Cosmicity, Empire State Human, Spray, Soviet...the list goes on. A real bonus is "The Machines" by a guy who goes by the name Masq, described as the French Numan. Look out for big things from this artist." - C.Price

"Quite a few folks who have heard E2 have asked about the MASQ track "The Machines." We are proud to announce that a full length CD from MASQ will be released this July. Stay tuned for details." - David Richards (Ninthwave Records)

Clockworks, Juliet album - People's Reviews "I've been meaning to drop you a note to thank you for the Alan Replica. It quickly went to the top of my list of 'Favorite CDs David Richards Has Sent Me.' The first five tracks are all especially solid." - Randy Haecker (Sony Legacy Music)

"- Electronic alternate soundtrack for Brazil? - I love every song on this album and frequently just listen to the entire album. The songs all have similar sounds, so it's nice to just listen to them all in a row, like different movements of a long piece, but they're different enough I only feel like I'm listening to the same thing over and over again in a *good* way. It's nice electronic stuff with a beat, some machine-oriented lyrics, and often a nice mood of melancholy as well as beauty and energy - sort of like goth and klezmer, if they were written as techno or ebm. Alan Replica is listed as Masq on the album Electricity II, which includes 'The Machines' from Clockworks. I hate trying to describe music in print reviews, but this album deserves a review and 5 stars. This album sort of sounds like a less angry Apoptygma Berzerk, a more gothy Spray, or S.P.O.C.K if they were a lot better & not singing about Star Trek." - "The only albums that have absolutely *nothing* bad on them are Clockworks, Juliet by Alan Replica, 7 by Apoptygma Berzerk, and Pink Floyd's The Wall. Go buy them." - Eleanor Skinner -