The Borderland was a large music review website administered by British music journalist John M Peters and featuring music that was generally produced by underground artists and small independent labels. The site closed in 2018, and I guess that all of the reviews were then lost as I can't find any on the ephemeral internet. The Borderland reviewed many of my early albums in the 2000-2010 decade, and when I asked about these in 2018, John sent me copies of his reviews, so for reasons of information preservation I've decided reproduce them here verbatim for posterity, one post at a time.
Mark Sheeky - Stupid Computer Music
Composer/artist/computer games software programmer Mark Sheeky is no stranger to MusicWatch and it is good to see and hear more of his work at this time. Stupid Computer Music is a compilation of themes and incidental music he wrote for his computer games. Opening with the insanely catchy China Syndrome, this album is a showcase proving that music for computer games doesn't have to be insular and clichéd - in truth, this album is a prime selection of electro-pop instrumentals that would give any 80's knob twiddler a run for their money. Gunstorm, the only vocal track, could be a ringer for classic Erasure and a #1 pop single if there was any justice in this world. With titles such as Music For Supermarkets and Journey Through Fractional Space you could be forgiven for thinking Brian Eno had his hand in there somewhere, but no, all these tracks were composed, performed and produced by Mark Sheeky. And I have to say that the man can come up with great melody lines that you will be humming - the old grey whistle testers would be dancing madly if they still existed! If you have not tried any of Mark's albums before then Stupid Computer Music is the best possible place to be introduced.
- John M Peters/The Borderland
