| Operating within the new century’s Dance-Punk resurgence has been a somewhat daunting task unless your production comes from James Murphy or indeed you are James Murphy. The guru of the genre has masterminded just about every standout release such as the Raptures’ still-awesome debut album Echoes and of course his own albums released under the LCD Soundsystem banner. The formula seems basic enough: take your straightforward indie rock tunes and bury them under a few layers of synthesizers, funked up guitar and drum machines, but despite this few have trod in Murphy’s footsteps with the same vigour. On this, their sophomore release, Head Like A Kite take that sound, force it through the meat grinder and wind up with a set heavily fueled with testosterone and pleasure popping danceability. The group is the side project of retro rockers Sushirobo’s guitarist Dave Einmo, but judging from the quality and the attention given to the music here, Head Like a Kite’s second album is something he’s definitely given his full attention to. It’s a funky, bass-heavy party record layered with sing-along chorus, pounding drums and 8-bit blips, designed to groove the body and batter the senses. Like the group’s first album, which mashed rock tunes with touches of electronica and wide-eyed noise rock, Einmo is still interested in genre hoping, twisting the aforementioned funk-punk with krautrock, and everything in between, squeezing as many ideas as possible onto a fresh and exciting pop record. After a short intro which promises us that “the following ideas have come to us from the great thinkers of the ages”, 'We Were So Entangled' sets the tone, rattling through the speakers with its huge synth and deep strings. These ample arrangements leave little space for subtleties, not that Einmo seems concerned with anything on a small scale, winning over his listener with catchy melodies and impressive production. For example the cheekily titled 'Big FM Radio Hit' does exactly what it says on the tin, temporarily retiring the digital bleeps and moving the focus on a chugging guitar line and a radio-friendly hook comparable to The Dandy Warhols, complete with a trumpet and all. Occasionally Einmo gets so wrapped up playing with his synthesizers he tosses out song structure completely. 'Keano’s Couch' is anchored by a vocal manipulator, making it completely incoherent, but it’s just another tool in what is a mammoth sized funk workout. Slow moments are few and far between but 'Before We Go To Bed' is a fine example of Einmo’s songwriting ability when he puts his mind to it. Using some psychedelic lyricism and drawn-out slide guitar, it’s an atmospheric progressive rocker that sits nicely alongside the controlled insanity around it. All this genre mashing is reminiscent of what Beck has been doing for over a decade. 'No Ordinary Caveman' and 'Listen Young Stunners' even recall memories of his Midnight Vultures era sound. In the long run Beck may indeed by a more accurate comparison here than Murphy. Blessed with a natural ear for pleasing instrumentation and a quirky approach to his craft, Einmo may indeed be the 21st Century’s answer to indie rock’s most lovable court jester, with Head Like A Kite being his most versatile guise. I’d be glad to take another There is Loud Laughter Everywhere from him but with so many potential genres to be covered something tells me I’m not going to get it. Rating: 81/100 - Wireless Bollinger |
