Think electro-pop and you might think of names like Jean-Michel Jarre, Air, The Pet Shop Boys, Visage or Boards of Canada. Encapsulating varying aspects of all of these is Plastic Operator, a band you would be sure to hear about. On the back of successful EP and single releases, the band formed with the union of Mathieu Gendreau (electronics) and Pieter Van Dessel (vocals / electronics) have worked effortlessly to create their debut album entitled 'Different Places'.

Indeed their backgrounds have played a key role in sculpting their collaborative efforts and two decades of hard graft had helped to define their unique savoir-faire. Album opener 'The Pleasure Is Mine' was classic Plastic Operator and culminated all that the band was about. The track was filled with a harmonious rapture that mixed the classics of electronica with some simple organ melodies. Van Dessel's robotic styled vocals were melodic and plod along in time engrossing the listener from the very beginning.

Tracks 'Peppermint' and 'Folder' stepped up the tempo to the album, communicating subject matter familiar to more modern times and were certainly songs for the 21st century. 'Folder' for example with its addictive drum and bass line would appeal to a far broader audience. Lines like: ' That's why I copy and paste, into you folder, into your folder', which were quirky lines that made you smile, are the kind of thing which are trademark to Plastic Operator.

'Parasols' was a beautiful track that was filled with melodic pop beats and synthesisers, and was refreshing to the ear. Vocals courtesy of Sarah Ferri helped to fill the mind with an overwhelming feel of sunlight and summer. 'Parasols' was in fact the only track on the album that offered a break from the colourless monotony of Van Dessel's vocals and showed the potential this duo had for collaborations in the future.

The remaining tracks on the album, whilst all quite different in tempo, quite clearly shared different stories. 'Special Case' talked of love and longing and missing the chance to hear the voice of that special person in your life. 'Why Don't You?' was not a song about the popular kids TV program, but a track which dealt with a rocky relationship and a defining change of direction.

A large proportion of the musical arrangement on this album had been expertly done and the blend of modern beats with varying symphonic melodies was sheer heaven. However, the flat, unchangeable, monotony of Van Dessel's vocals was likely to only appeal to the true electronica fan.