REVIEW - GARY HUNTER - White Lion Radio

Track 1 the album opens with the title track "Mixed Synthetic Messages" which I have to say is Ian's best piece of music he has done. The track evolves almost into an electronic chill out track with some excellent pad sounds and melodies. A brilliant start to the album - A top class track.

Track 2 is a favourite of mine "State of the Nation" an electronic dance track with a hard hitting message in the lyrics about the world we live in. Brilliant use of vocal samples. It is also slightly extended and reworked from the previous version Ian has done.

Track 3 "Tiny Mind" really does grow on you with it's industrial sounds and john Foxx-like synth. Once again, superb use of sounds make this track really strong. Sounds great through headphones!

"Terra Pulse" the 4th track is excellent with it's lush pads and synth parts. Top notch production and a firm favourite of mine. Very atmospheric at the start before the lush arrangement is joined by a rhythm section - A track I really like and one of the strongest on the album.

Track 5 sees us treated to an extended version of one of Ian's most recent tracks "Motorcade 239". This has been very popular on podcasts and is a firm favourite of mine. Brilliant piece of electronic dance music with it's instantly catchy melody and even involves a vocal sample of Murray Walker!! - "Superb" sums this track up.

Track 6 sees a reworking of my all time favourite track of Ian's "Time Is Standing Still". This is heavily influenced by John Foxx and the vocal really does sound like it was done by John Foxx. A very good remix of this track I have to say - A superb slice of pure electronica done in a Foxx style.

"Watching Plastic People" is track 7 and has to be the Spice Girls' anthem !!! A very clever track which grows on you the more you hear it. Probably slants a little bit to experimental but still holds commercial appeal. Music wise I think it has a sound similar to John Foxx.

Track 8 is another big favourite of mine "Random Robotic Dancing" a very catchy dance track with excellent use of sounds. This is a new remixed version and is fantastic.

Track 9 "Future Daze Of Metalbeat" is a brand new version also of a track that has been featured heavily on Ians' Future Daze MySpace site. It is a cross between dance and industrial in sound and is a brilliantly put together track with the vocal aspects really standing out , another excellent remix.

Track 10 sees Ian's very latest track "Oxygen" make it's appearance on the album and is excellent. This is a dance track with an experimental edge. Superb production on this one and is fast growing as one of my favourite tracks on the album.

The album's 11th track is called "Face T Face" and reminds me a bit of early Human League tracks like "Tokyo City". It is a song that is really pleasant to listen to and is the albums "Quieter moment" and the synth sounds work perfectly with the minimal rhythm section and overlayed Vocal samples. A track worthy of inclusion on the album.

Track 12 is the brilliant gem "In Thee We Trust". This has to be one of the best tracks ever created using sampled voices. Superbly put together song about "Hanky Panky" in the White House. It is fun and I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face. Fantastic way to close the album because after listening to this track it made me want to play the album again.

An extremely polished album from start to finish. The production is excellent and his ideas are extremely original. It is clear to me Ian has put everything in to this CD and the effort has been worthwhile. A truly excellent album 9.5/10