release date: Apr. 14, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: Henrik Balling, Illinton
label: Genlyd / BMG - nationality: Denmark
6th studio album by Gangway again following 1½ years after ther most recent studio album, Happy Ever After (Sep. '92). This time the album has been produced by main songwriter Henrik Balling together with Illinton [aka Lasse Mosegard] also credited bass programming. The title is actually the word "Optimism" followed by the letter 'G' in brackets as a variation of the copyright symbol [©] - cleverly referrencing 'Gangway'. For once, the band has managed to stay with the same label. Much as was the case with the '92 album Henrik Balling has composed the majority of the songs and (again) with Torben Johansen as songwriter of three compositions (tracks #6, #9, and #11), and with vocalist Allan Jensen as songwriter of track #4 (his first song on an album by Gangway). The band line-up remains unchanged but musically changes are evident. The sound is with a stronger emphasis on electronics without sounding like a follow-up to their '91 album. Now the style is closer to something in between New Order and Pet Shop Boys with a certain disco-feel, and Jesper Siberg (from Scatterbrain) is for the third consecutive album credited 'sound design'. It's still mostly primarily synth-pop with bits of sophisti-pop with an uptempo and danceable touch making it sound like a half-felt attempt to go in a dance club direction - perhaps inspired by Everything but the Girl?
It's an album practically without memorable tracks and I find it a new low point (not counting the British '88 re-release of Sitting in the Park) and their easily so far least favourable album.
Not recommended.
