Joy Electric - Dwarf Mountain Alphabet

Some bands you assume will be around forever. So when Ronnie Martin announced after Favorites At Play that Joy Electric was going on hiatus, it was shocking and sad. It was also understandable. Joy Electric had always been underrated and out of place. Tooth and Nail was loyal to Ronnie Martin but that market was never accepting of Martin's creativity and originality. Joy Electric's brand of synthpop was never going to to be the next big thing.

So the announcement that Dwarf Mountain Alphabet was on it's way was exciting for myself and all Joy Electric fans. And we waited all last year... And this year... Until finally a kickstarter campaign was launched to fund the record. And finally Dwarf Mountain Alphabet has been released!

And let me say, the wait was worth it! The album is a great combination of Christiansongs and The White Songbook.

Dwarf Mountain Alphabet is more dancey than any previous JoyE release. The songs are upbeat and fun. The greatest example is the re-written version of Sing Once For Me. Same melody and same hook, but different lyrics and a completely different feel. The song has a new energy and life that, while I love the old version, it didn't have the same vibe.

I do wish that Ronnie had beefed up his rhythm section a little. What are the "drum" tracks seem a little hollow and some ounchy 808 would've really helped to make Dwarf Mountain Alphabet a full fledged 80's synthpop dance record. But I imagine that's not what Martin was going for.

Dwarf Mountain Alphabet is the perfect return for Joy Electric. The songs are upbeat and fun but Martin's lyrics feel deep and personal, more spiritual than they've been at times. Joy Electric fans will love Dwarf Mountain Alphabet!