In the early 21st century, all it took was some retro ’80 designer threads to be considered “new wave revivalists.” And like any rock music movement, there are always going to be artists that get by due to a keen fashion sense (which strangely, are usually the acts that conquer the charts), while others actually have something to say musically. The Texas quintet I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness is of the latter variety — debuting in 2003 with a self-titled EP, and finally returning in 2006 with the full-length, Fear Is on Our Side. If they wanted it, this group certainly could milk their new wave cred, since it was produced by longtime Ministry member Paul Barker — yes, Ministry was a electro/dance/new wave band before going industrial metal — which may also explain why the band sound somewhat similar at times to Barker’s pre-Ministry band, Blackouts. Just about any of the album’s selections would have fit perfectly on a vintage 120 Minutes episode, including the album-opening “The Ghost” and “The Owl,” both of which are very similar musically to Joy Division. Upon first listen of “Fears Is on Our Side,” it’s quite understandable to assume that I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness hails from some U.K. town like Manchester — certainly not a steer-and-cowboy-heavy U.S. locale. – Greg Prato