NUKLEON

"NukleoN is one of synthpop's brightest talents"

"Nukleon picks up the torch from legacy bands like New Order and Erasure in the electronica dance-alternative genre. Using deep sequenced layers, strong phrasing and excellent vocals, Earth Rising evokes motifs and themes of 80’s dance alternative with fresh perspectives and well-used clichés."

Country:
USA
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop

Real Name:
Dan Burke

VIDEO:
"Homewrecker"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6jUrsoC8BM&feature=related


NEAR EARTH ORBIT (1999)

Credits:
Music By, Lyrics By, Vocals - Dan Burke (tracks 04-09)
Lyrics By, Vocals - Dan Burke (tracks 02,03)
Vocals - Dan Burke (track 01)
Music By - Ross W. Beall (tracks 02,03)
Music By, Lyrics By, Composed By [Melody] - Jeff Harper (http://www.ivox.org.) (track 01)
Remix - Jeff Harper (tracks 07)

Tracklist:

01 Undone (5:07)
02 Realm (4:27)
03 Division (4:51)
04 Reasons (3:08)
05 Pretend We're Civilized (3:18)
06 Reasons (Post Nuklear Mix) (4:41)
07 Anonymity (4:45)
08 Jane (2:25)
09 Homewrecker (4:01)
Bonus:
10 Ganymede - Daylight (Nukleon-mix)
11 Synthetik FM - Technology (feat Nukleon) (2002)

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/116562961/nuknear.rar.html

Notes:
Two tracks-"Sometimes" and "Reasons (Cloud 9 Mix)" - still missing .Please send me if you have!

"NukleoN first made his music public on MP3.com in 1999. After a while there was enough material to put together a complete demo CD using MP3.com’s CD-creation program. Near Earth Orbit also features a collaborations with artists such as simulator and Intervox as well as an interview with the NukleoN synthpop droid.
Unfortunately, this CD is out of print and no longer available. "


EARTH RISING (2003)

Tracklist:

01 Mars
02 Lucky
03 Escort
04 Infidel
05 Sometimes
06 Homewrecker
07 Lines
08 Reasons
09 Jane
10 One More Day

Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/116564232/nukeartr.rar.html

"Throughout the CD's entirety you find yourself teleported from Morrissey-esque vocals in 'Lucky' and 'Infidel', to the Alphaville melting pot of 'Escort', and the unmistakeable tinge of New Order in 'Lines'. Do the smooth vocals in 'Sometimes' sound like Camouflage? Can I hear the fusion of Echo & the Bunnymen and New Order in 'Reason' and 'Jane'? The cunfusion! I don't know what to do except to put the CD back in and do it all over again, and again!Then a cloud breaks, unearthing the epiphany that 'Earth Rising' stands alone! The musical influences are unmistakebly there, but it is completely Nukleon and a shining example of why electronic music is a drug - It drags you back (ever willingly) for more of it's hypnotic pulsing and your quench is never thirsted ... Um, your thirst is never quenched!

Breaking with traditional reviews. I'll continue with artist comparisons simply because it is easy for most people to understand comparisons.
The album storms out with 'Mars', a seering synth anthem infused with vocal cuts of travel to mars. It hits with the intensity of an anvil dropping on your head! The only possible flaw is that it is probably a little longer than it should be, but that's just a personal preference of mine, Otherwise an outstanding example of modern synthpop.

'Lucky' bounces in with a throbbing synth bassline as Morrissey's ghost lends a hand in the vocals. Oh, that's Dan Burke, not Morrissey, sorry. I can be forgiven for getting lost in the lush Smith-like vocals because the song is as flowing as some of their best work, and their influences are lavishly strong. That said, the song is otherwise completely Nukleon in every way. A thoroughly damned good song!

'Escort' sees Nukleon changing direction with a simple bassline and a percussion track a little out of tune with the rest of the album. Is this bad? Noooooo! The song has that old traditional 'hook' that keeps you coming back for more, but without a catchy melodic synth in sight. Weird, but Dan pulls it off anyway. One can be forgiven for thinking this song belongs somewhere else - the vocal style is sometimes freakishly close to Alphaville, but the similarity ends there. Once again Dan manages to resurrect the ghost of an old favourite, Alphaville, in this song, while still managing to pull off a completely original hit. I won't even attempt to explain what I mean by that, so you figure it out yourself.

'Infidel' starts out with a completely fake marching drum, which I personally don't enjoy. It might have sounded better with the real thing, but then that just wouldn't be in keeping with the album, which is everything electronic. A driving bassline chimes in and the song is on the move ... and doesn't stop! Spurred on by 9/11, it's no wonder this songs keeps driving forward without a break in sight. Very catchy with a seering synth lead that annoyingly stays in your head after several listens. Okay, 'annoyingly' is the wrong word, but I think you get the picture ... you won't forget this song quickly.

The album moves along with 'Sometimes', and this is where Nukleon explodes into the stratosphere. Emotional. Deep. Saddening. Depressing. Hopefulness. Hopelessness. Pick an adjective and you'll find it somewhere in this song. An extremely moving track, somewhere between ballad and dance. Yes, ballad and dance! It is a completely unforgettable masterpiece! This is definitely a favourite on the album.

Out jumps 'Homewrecker' in a revamped version of the original. A throbbing bassline with driving synths keep the song intense throughout. My only gripe is perhaps the vocal snippets at the beginning which don't seem to fit in with the song, at least not for me. The volume control is a little off in places and is noticeable where the kick drum comes in at the beginning. Not a huge gripe and for the most part very tame, but sometimes I get picky. This version is immeasurably better than the original so kudos for that, and Morrissey pops his head in again near the end. :)
'Lines' slides away a little from the rest of the album and you feel an air of New Order creeping in, both in the vocals and song structure. It's not immediately catchy in much the same way as a New Order song usually isn't, but quickly grabs hold after a few spins.

'Reasons' sounds like something I have heard somewhere before, by the Doors or Echo. Well, the vocals have this Doorsey feeling to them so I can't help saying that. The music in this song departs completely from the rest of the album but still manages to fit in. I loathe to say that it sounds orchestral in parts because that would probably throw a few people off. So, let me say that the song is completely synthpop in every way, and then go on to contradict myself by saying that it sounds orchestral. If you've ever heard Blancmange's 'Waves', you'll probably understand what I mean. Excellent!

'Jane' is another reworked Nukleon song which, although very enjoyable, is difficult for me to give an objective opinion on. The original version is so ingrained in my head that an objective opinion is almost impossible for me - I simply prefer the original's endearing, untamed rawness. One thing that carried over from the original is the missing bassline. It seems a little weak, leaving the driving beat to carry the momentum on its own. That said, the song is still enjoyable.
'One More Day' surpasses the majesty of 'Sometimes'. Beautiful, melodic, and completely immersive, with lyrics that many can identify with. The message of complete hopelessness, depression and darkness is contrasted by the pleads of spurious hope and light at the end of the tunnel - that silver lining that often needs to be blatantly thrust into one's face. The song is melodic, flowing, and absolutely amazing! Majestic!

7 Minutes into 'One More Day', a hidden instrumental gem appears. A few vocal snippets burble everyday terms in a robotic tone, but otherwise the song is an imaginative instrumental done in an Alphaville style. Ahhh, the secret to those vocals I do know, but will never tell. Then, just as you start enjoying the song, it ends! Oh well, nothing a quick stop-play on the deck can't sort out!
If Nukleon is not in the minds of every lover of electronic music out there, it will be a crime. Truly enjoyable, truly memorable, and worth every cent."

"It really is a fantastic album, nice vocals and flawless programing. Earth Rising is one of those albums that you can listen to from beginning to end. Dan's vocals at times are very reminiscent of Morrisey."

"It's here at last! `Earth Rising' is the long-awaited, hugely anticipated debut album from NukleoN, one of synthpop's brightest talents. And what a cracker it is! 10 stunning tracks, including `Lucky' the huge dance floor hit, debuts rarely come bigger or better than this one.I have been following NukleoN (alias Dan Burke) since his appearance on the first Electricity compilation, and with so many different samplers and downloads it's great to have everything together on one CD at long last. Just so that things don't get boring though, there are new versions of some of the songs you may have heard before, keeping everything fresh and up to date.As I said, NukleoN is one of synthpop's brightest talents and listening to this CD you will see why. All the songs have a real dance floor quality to them, while the vocals are delivered with strength (and a touch of Morrisey!). The lyrics go from playful on songs like `Homewrecker' to powerful on `Lucky' and `Infidel', while the closing `One More Day' has an epic feel to it. Every tune on `Earth Rising' is as catchy as can be, but with an originality that makes the album stand out from the rest.Cohaagen Music have given us yet another quality synthpop CD. `Earth Rising' is sure to be going round and round on your CD player for some time to come! This is perfection, so go on and enjoy it."

More review:
http://djacreviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/nukleon-earth-rising.html

http://www.chaindlk.org/reviews/index.php?type=music&category=4&sheet=86

http://www.legendsmagazine.net/136/nukleon.htm

http://www.indiespinzone.com/n.html

Biography:
NukleoN is the alter-ego of Dan Burke, an electronic musician from southern California whose main hobby, in addition to graphic illustration, is producing old-style synthpop music inspired by the likes of Alphaville, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Erasure, and many others who helped pioneer the genre. NukleoN is one of the modern breed of independent musicians, one who has built up his presence on mp3.com, a popular online indie music portal, into great proportions. Through hard work promoting his music across various portals across the internet synthpop universe, NukleoN has established himself firmly as a fixture within the current synthpop scene, despite not being signed to a record label.

Dan Burke :
"This one time, at band camp...no seriously.
Yes, I was in the High School band, and it was good (except for my brief stint attempting to play a trombone). Well, as good as can be whilst marching around in blue polyester with a horde of lisping flute players bedecked with headgear and a slightly dizzy brass section. I played bongos, yes, bongos because believe it nor not, I wasn’t yet tall enough to actually carry a snare without it banging against my knees. In retrospect, I think I would have rather taken the abuse on my poor patellas rather than play the bongos in a marching band, but as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Perhaps, it just scars you for life. At a certain point, I knew the school band was not my idea of musical expression.
My fascination with musical instruments is something I’ve had as long as I can remember. When I was but a wee toddler, my dad would buy me these plastic guitars, and I’d ‘play’ them until they broke, but there would always be another plastic guitar. I have to admire my dad’s enthusiasm and tenacity, but then again, it was probably quite interesting to watch a toddler do his very own impression of ‘The Who’.
Later on, around 4th grade, I distinctly remember being dropped off with a babysitter and being fascinated by the piano...I kept wishing everyone would disappear so I could play it...and at the time I wanted to play that piano more than play with the other kids. Eventually, I got the chance to try the piano, but I don’t think the babysitter was quite ready for young NukleoN back then.
In junior high, I took a guitar class. I’m not sure why I chose the guitar, since that meant having to carry the thing to and from school. It was an ungainly way to travel, but worth it. Besides, the price I’d have to pay to be a male clarinet or flute player was high...very high. So the guitar it was..though I certainly didn’t have guitar fingers. After countless renditions of ‘Frere Jacques’ and ‘The Irish Washer Woman’, songs nobody plays outside of ‘lessons’, I gained a stronger appreciation for music and enjoyed the guitar, but this was soon exclipsed by my discovery of percussion.
I soon joined a beginning drum class, and knew I liked this much better, and I was better at it. I remember sneaking in to the drum room before classes and going ape on the meager set the class had. I was a rock star, and it was good. Soon, we were actually allowed to play *real* snare drums in class, instead of those awful-sounding practice pads they foist on newbies. I did get a drum set at home at one point, but before that, I made due with coffee cans. Yes, coffee cans. Of varying sizes and sounds, mind you, and believe it or not, it was strangely satisfying, given the lack of anything resembling a stretched animal skin.
When my parents got an old Wurlitzer baby grand piano, I was ecstatic. I remember my first song I ever composed on a piano, and it consisted of all-black keys. I played this thing every day after school nearly without fail, composing all sorts of funny songs....when I heard my mom practicing her songs, I’d learn them by ear in short order. I took lessons of my own, but quickly got bored playing other people’s songs...I wanted to write my own and I did just that.
In college, I would occasionally skip classes so I could immerse myself in the synth club’s room full of sweet, sweet goodness. There I played the DX-7 and Juno-1 for the first time, and I was hooked. They even had a mic and a singer would often join in whilst reading from the newspaper for lyrics. Something clicked in my head, and I knew this was what I wanted to do...I wanted to write songs with synthesizers and play all the various parts and yes, add vocals as well.
In 1991, I got my first synth, a Korg M1 bought with royalties after working hard as a rookie artist / game designer in the video game business. This was the start of a long string of synth-related purchases and sales, but I kept writing songs that never got heard except by a very close circle of trusted friends. As the ‘studio’ grew, so did my songwriting, and I finally went public on MP3.com in 1999 as NukleoN, a band name I chose based on it’s scientific nature, the German sound of the ‘K’ in place of the ‘C’ in American spelling of ‘Nucleon’. Another consideration that was important to me was the .com availabilty. I didn’t want to choose something everyone else had thought of or had the .com for. Even though I’m a solo artist, I chose a name for myself mostly for a bit of ‘image’ which I could use to give people an idea of what my music might sound like, before they heard it. My name by itself doesn’t necessarily convey that.
After being on MP3.com for a while, I had the great opportunity to participate in a few synthpop compilations which led to my signing with Cohaagen Music and my impending first solo commercial release. After the twists and turns of my music career up to now, I am very excited about things to come.
I hope you enjoy what you hear."
Dan Burke of NukleoN

More info:
http://www.nukleon.com/html/releases.html

http://www.myspace.com/nukleon

http://www.twothousandbc.com/nukleon.html

http://www.whisperroom.com/fbk%20dan%20burke.html

http://www.electrogarden.com/forums/nextoldesttothread983.html