The Watchmen were fine just the way they were - so what's this about a new direction? This is not the first (or last) rock band to figure out that they can spice up their music with a little electronic gimmickry.

And that's what Slomotion represents - a disappointment of nine weak songs (make that eight, plus a stiff remix of Stereo) dressed up with techno goodies. The title track is somewhat interesting and Soft Parade is a beautiful interlude, but the rest is forgettable - mainly consisting of one-chord noodles that sound like U2 outtakes. Fortunately, because it's a double album, you get a second CD of hits - and an opportunity to hear what this band was capable of before they decided they wanted to be more like Econoline Crush. (More on: The Watchmen).

Saturday, October 6, 2001

Slomotion a disappointment