FICTION 8 have fallen out of the furthest end of EBM, as far from Poppy Fluff as they could manage to get. And where they have landed, names like FRONT 242 and FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY have long ago carved their names into the very fabric of whatever electronic future this may be. And their arrival is like a breath of fresh air - their music has enough variety to please all but the most jaded (see review below), and there's a human warmth at the very core of their music which seems to have been missing on many ANTLER-SUBWAY releases.And what's more they write songs - you know - songs - the things people an sing along to if the urge takes them. And not only that, but each piece of music seems to have a distinct lead theme to it.Which kinda places them in the shadow of groups like APOPTYGMA BERZERK. And that's an enviable umbral position to be in - AB seem to be standing at the doorway to wider exposure and, if not fortune, then a more comfortable lifestyle. And MONA LISA OVERDRIVE, who admittedly are working in a different field. Perhaps the only thing stopping them from taking that one soft step is that it's better to be king of this world than jack of that one!This is a very accessible, commercial album with tons of variety to it - slow moody pieces, fast, perky danceable sing-alongs. It may not be as hardcore as many people would like, but, hey, this reviewer could sit and listen to this all day. But then The Pile awaits and I must hack my way through in the little time I have to do so.Two very conflicting reviews of the same album by MJ? Judge for yourself, but this gets my recommendation.Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.