Unidisc | CANADA | CD | 1993 | SPLK-7085

Trans-X: Living On Video CAN CD [1993]

1. Living On Video
2. Message On The Radio
3. Nitelife
4. 21st Century
5. Josee
6. Digital World
7. Eyes Of Desire
8. 3D-Dance
9. Monkey Dance
10. Through The Eyes Of The 90’s
11. Ich Liebe Dich (I Love You)
12. Living On Video (Re-Recorded)
13. Message On The Radio (Remix)
14. Vivre Sur Video

I first heard the ultra-catchy synthpop of “Message On The Radio” back when it came out in ’83 or so. So I was always looking for this album. It was hard to find in the lower 48, though. Then a few years later “Living On Video” became a hit and it seemed okay, but not as poppy as “Message.” In the mid 90s I finally got the US vinyl of the LP, though I had managed to get the Canadian 12″ of “Message” years earlier. Like much rare vinyl, I never got around to listening to it immediately; it went on the master-from-vinyl-eventually slush pile.

I finally got this CD on a Toronto trip in 2001 and though I was excited to see it in Sam The Record Man on Yonge St. [R.I.P.] it defines the term mixed blessing. I also like another Québécois synthpop band, Men Without Hats, but find their music somewhat limited in scope and hard to listen to a full album of, in spite of certain song’s clear appeal. Multiply that by ten regarding Trans-X! Most of these tracks are rife with just a few synth cliches repeated over and over until you are compelled to rip the disc from the player! I’ll still vouch for the infectious pop qualities of “Message On The Radio” and even “Living On Video” or “Digital World.” It is for those songs that I keep this CD that took such a long time to get. But anyone who gets kicks hearing synthpap drivel like “Josee” or “3D-Dance” and “Monkey Dance,” well… I feel real sorry for you! You folks need to at least move up to 1980s Human League albums!