It must have been extremely difficult for the Stockholm Monsters, opening at gigs for one of the world's foremost indie/electronic pioneers in the shape of New Order they would always sound inferior in comparison. 'Alma Mater' is the group's one and only album and although it wears its influences very clearly on its sleeve, it is at best an average album. Lighter and airier than most Factory bands, they at least tried to be different but too often these album tracks appear unremarkable and bland. There are tunes but they are too light to be memorable and the pedestrian songwriting only serves to highlight lead singer Tony France's vocal limitations. Of more value are the the 7" versions of their singles like 'Kan Kill!' and 'How Corrupt Is Rough Trade?' both which reveal hitherto undiscovered anger. As for the album itself though, no amount of Peter Hook-aping bass guitar playing can hide its failings.