Simian Mobile Disco
Having begun the millennium in a quartet that combined electronics with "traditional songwriting," college pals James Ford and Jas Shaw eventually came to the conclusion that this hybrid fad made popular by the Beta Band was a crock and left with the electronics portion.
A sideline as DJs convinced them that old school dance music was the only way to go. Sounding like the future circa 1980, SMD's particular take on analog dance floor electronica is about as pure as it gets. Their debut album is propelled by nervous energy and the slightest of melodic ideas, not to mention vocals that are more notable for their placement than for their substance. The point seems to be not to take anything too seriously, which is probably why, as fun as the music is, it doesn't sound particularly big. It's play room party music. Anything larger might be pretentious.
RED MARQUEE, 7/28, 12:00 midnight
