Out of the Dark (Into the Light)

During the '90s, many synth-based artists from the previous decade toughened up their sound considerably, obviously having taken note of Nine Inch Nails. Adam Ant and Gary Numan would be included on this list, as well as Germany's Falco. But unlike the other aforementioned artists, Falco did not have to rely on the aid of another modern artist to resuscitate his recording career (Adam Ant/Trent Reznor, Gary Numan/Fear Factory) -- issuing Out of the Dark (Into the Light) on his own in 1998. Those expecting an album's worth of tunes in the same style as "Rock Me Amadeus" may be disappointed, as such tracks as "No Time for Revolution" and "Hit Me" are more hard-hitting than what you'd expect from Falco. That said, there are a few detours back to his earlier style, as evidenced by such tracks as "Egoist" and "Shake," as well as a retread of one of his early hits, "Der Kommissar 2000." Sadly, Out of the Dark (Into the Light) would be the last studio album released during Falco's lifetime, as he died the same year it was issued. ~ Greg Prato