Detailed Reviews [Soniq Theater - 2023 - "Robotron"]

Prolusion. On 1 January 2023, the world saw another album – 23rd, titled "Robotron" – by keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Alfred Mueller, the brain and driving force behind the instrumental solo project Soniq Theater.

Analysis. Robotron is somewhat different from what I’ve heard from Alfred Mueller. This is a concept album (which is usual for this one-man project), where every composition is dedicated to a robotic theme, but the accent is made more on computer effects and beats than on complex melodic structures. While in previous works at least in 20% of the songs Alfred invited the listener to switch on their brain and disentangle the intricate rhythmic or melodic patterns, here everything is largely plain. The album is quite even and integral, which is good in many respects. This, however, results in that while other albums, like, for example, the previous-year "Cinemagic" (2022), were diverse, though of an uneven quality, "Robotron" has successfully ‘smoothed the irregularities.’ One of Soniq Theater’s most common features throughout was that in almost every album compositions with complex structures and even specific epics came together with songs made obviously in haste to complete the album, which fell out of a general order. But it was that better side of albums that really mattered. To me personally, even only one really good composition overweighs the weaknesses of the rest of material. In "Robotron", however, I find no particularly memorable songs. Nonetheless, Soniq Theater here retains its original, nicely naive sound, which also includes the trademark voice-imitating background organ in much of the stuff. At the same time, "Robotron" has some nostalgic flavor from the 1980s and early 1990s (particularly the pop/new wave side of this period), and, what’s more important, Alfred Mueller has managed to create a fresh and interesting work, where he has somehow turned weaknesses into benefits. The opener 'Robotron' is good, but not very memorable. The second track 'Robert the Robot' is slightly better, mainly because of its odd-like beat. 'Cyborgs' is, however, the best of the first three: it features an interesting development, original sound effects, some unexpected moments and even a fragment alluding to IQ. The clear and confident ‘drumless’ beat of the short composition that comes fourth really produces an impression of working robots. In addition, it offers some symphonic prog harmonies and good impros. 'Cyber Space' offers intense progression of organ chords, and makes one feel inside a cyber space. 'Robot Brain' reproduces somewhat the atmosphere of the early-1990s popular songs. 'Dreaming Robots' is sheer ambience, offering decent computer effects, discordant sounds and, again, perfectly representing the idea in the title. This is followed by a nice song titled 'Automatic Man'. The next is the shortest track that would have impeded the entire album, had it not been titled 'Stumbling Robot'. So, everything is thus in the right place. The composition that follows seems to have come right from a 1990 disco, but what did you expect a 'Robot Dance' to be? Yet, the good sound effects, a little humour and self-irony and the trademark Soniq atmospheric keyboard background are with us. Though with a promising intro, 'Robot Food' is actually the most disputable track on the album. Although, again it’s full of irony and is an attempt at a deep, multi-layer song, it’s underdeveloped and quite badly polished.

Conclusion. To choose between Soniq Theater’s latest two albums, I’d definitely opt for "Cinemagic". Yet, it would be in no way fair to call "Robotron" worse or weaker. It’s just different and shows Alfred Mueller’s desire to research into new territories.

Progmessor: August 2023
The Rating Room