It appears that the ironically titled THE MODERN (undoubtedly deliberate) are determined to bring back the 80's. Buzzing synths, jerking, mechanical drum machines and male/female crooning duets- clearly taking its cues from the likes of Gary Numan and Human League. It is in some ways thoroughly like-able, as a deliberately trashy pop track it certainly exudes some charm, both sing-able and dance-able.
The problem simply lies in the fact it feels like a parody of itself- it's a little too knowing and a little too deliberate. Unlike modern bands that draw on 80's influences (think Goldfrapp or the Killers for example) it doesn't attempt to combine the old with the new and re-interpret the influences, instead they have opted to simply copy them wholesale, including the inherent weaknesses. Like the music we thought we had left behind, this track is just too shallow for it's own good- and as post-modern as that might be, it just doesn't move you like good music should.
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THE MODERN will probably be ridiculously popular, because after all the industry loves a bit of a retro trend (cynically this could be simply to do with shifting back-catalogue- think what Oasis did for 60's/70's rock). But a fondness for the past shouldn't be clouded by the truth- Beta-max was exciting at the time, but you'd be a fool to ditch your DVD player for it- and likewise this phase of musical history should really stay in the past.
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