Bis: Plastique Nouveau : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Bis professed an undying love for Eighties synth-pop on 2001's Return to Central. Their quirky indie stylings were tweaked and Plastique Nouveau maintains the Scots' infectious sound. Half New Wave and half electro, this mini-album shimmies and shakes with infectious break beats. The sweet vocals of Manda Rin shine throughout, and "Sound of Sleet" captures her signature child-like appeal while soaring into a hypnotic space-rock soundscape. The crazy sexy cool twist of "Don't Let the Rain Come Down" is reminiscent of early Yaz and Depeche Mode, leading Bis to call upon posh American dance maestros such as Chicago DJ Tommie Sunshine as well as Detroit's Ectomorph and Adult for additional remixes. It's a fashionably slick move. Each player is an uncanny match for Bis' ultramodern musical approach. From Adult's techno-punk "Robotic" and Sunshine's quasi-disco weave on "The End Starts Today," Bis are cleverly chic on Plastique Nouveau, shedding their cuteness of yesteryear.

MACKENZIE WILSON
(July 9, 2002)