ONE of Shopperland's pedigree indie bands is re-releasing their latest single on Monday after disaster marred its launch last month.

Soundcode, who hail from Bromley, Lewisham and Orpington, say they are a four man, one computer outfit. They use their digital skills to create Soundcode's signature style.

Lead singer Andy B tells the sad story of the silent single.

"The entire stock delivered to the stores for the February release was flawed," he explains. "Every CD contained nine minutes of complete silence.

"All the copies sold had to be recalled and the release was cancelled.

"It was a disaster for us as we're a struggling, unsigned act."

He recalls: "We were on a massive high, our launch at The Metro club in Oxford Street was a sell-out and we brought the house down.

"So when we heard the news about our release being cancelled, the crash of our excitement was like being thrown off a mountain.

"Anyway, here we are again and raring to go."

So is this single worth the heartache it has caused?

Title track Mystery transforms a fairly unremarkable song into something striking by pulling together diverse elements. The song helter-skelters from funk to techno house to indie rock.

Ethereal computer effects flutter round a heavy, driving bass and traditional riffs.

Mystery feels contemporary but also recalls original 80s synth pioneers such as Talk Talk.

The second track, Pure Complicated, kicks off with a more hard core electro sound before the vocals roll in with a traditional melody.

Somehow this melody doesn't jar with the cutting-edge rhythm section and the cyberspace gurglings which swirl around the main body of the song.

The track has echoes of acclaimed 90s digital rockers Electronic.

Again, mood and pace are constantly fluctuating, so things are not allowed to get boring though it is slightly too long at more than six minutes.

This is potent, vibrant stuff. I hope if Soundcode get the success they deserve, their jagged edges are not coated with the bland gloss of over-production.

Soundcode, Mystery, available from HMV Bromley, Oxford Circus and online at hmv.co.uk

The band are performing live on April 8 at the Clink Bar, Court Street, Bromley.