Mini-Reviews Part Trois

Simian Mobile Disco
Delicacies
Rating: Grrrr

After the debacle that was their sophomore release, Temporary Pleasures, which showed them trying to put far too many guests into the mix, Simian Mobile Disco return to form with the lengthy Delicacies. Each song is named after a bizarre gastronomical delicacy, which seems appropriate given the tracks are meant for a decidedly discerning crowd; most tracks push the 8+ minute mark, and are mostly deep house or tech house bangers. Luckily, this suits them far greater than their attempt to appeal to everyone on the last album.

Teengirl Fantasy
7AM
Rating: Grrrr

Another in a long line of bands that are basically unclassifiable. You would be right if you put them in with the chillwavers, deep housers, dream poppers, or even the Animal Collective-like experimenters, and you would be right, and also very wrong. They mix a variety of influences together into their own sound, basically making whatever kind of track they like at the moment, from the R&B sampling "Cheaters," the video game 8-bit ping pong of "Floor to Floor," or the deep house of "Koi Pond." 7AM is a stunning debut.

PVT
Church With No Magic
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Although they used to be known as Pivot, the Australian band ditched the vowels and now are known simply as PVT. Apparently, they also streamlined their sound from the dense post-punk with electronic flourishes of their previous albums and have almost fully embraced their electronic side. Most of the songs on Church With No Magic are instrumentally based, and based on their video for single "Window," the songs are intricately arranged such that one piece missing would destroy the entire effect. The dense soundscapes lack the playfulness of similar band Battles, instead choosing to lean towards a more alienating and anxious feeling. For this reason, the album is difficult to love but very easy to appreciate. With a little more variety of sounds, it will make for a more enjoyable listen.

John Roberts
Glass Eights
Rating: Grrrr

Gorgeous and stark, John Robert's Glass Eights could be the direction that Talk Talk eventually merged into, taking free form organic textures and melting them with electronic sounds. Similar to James Blake, Roberts takes the base of house music and dubstep and introduces ghostly piano, acoustic bass, shards of R&B vocal samples and creates an amazing fusion. Built more for contemplation and headphones than a busy night on the dancefloor, Glass Eights signals the debut of a fascinating new talent.



Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top albums of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been trimmed or polished.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.