Returning after a ten-year break, this unsigned German-duo do so with the release of their fourth-album, their first since their previous album At First Sight was released back in 1998, while Re-Start features just nine-tracks, including two sung in German along with the short, but, excellent Depeche Mode-like dark-edged instrumental Time Travellers with its neat chime-like synths. There is a similar style, and pace through out the album itself, with a number of excellent tracks featured here, from the more up-tempo beat and bounce of Verloren with its German-vocals adding greatly to the track itself as it somewhat shuffles along with its neat synths that combine with a good chorus, to the more mid-paced, and almost semi-ballad feel to Precious One with its semi-spoken vocals on a track that gradually builds, and picks-up pace mid-way through the track itself. There is a steady mid-paced rhythm with crashing drums and solid bass on Emotional Ice Age which builds well to a strong chorus as the solid Space Age Romance features a more up-tempo bounce. Further tracks of note, and interest include the solid, mid-paced Turning Point which moves along nicely to its chorus, and works well with the vocals with some good synth work, or Zeit der Unberangenheit with it’s similar style and pace, while My Sweet Jana features slow metallic percussion and rhythm on a track that would not sound out of place on Depeche Mode’s Some Great Reward album, as the slow intro of Eternity gradually builds-up, and picks-up pace with the German-vocals blending in well. To be honest, there is nothing new here, and for me, thankfully so as I’ve always had a soft-spot for the present German Synth Pop scene since discovering De/Vision back in the mid-nineties, while Spreading Point continue with a blend of Electronic Pop that’s musically similar to many a fellow German Synth Pop act, and doing so with the addition of that wonderfully dry semi-spoken-semi-sung style of vocal delivery that’s equally typical of so many of these German acts. This is excellent on all fronts, and least not highly recommended to all Synthpoppers. © DK