Second album from Stereolab side project.
The second album from Stereolab side project Imitation Electric Piano, strikes a chord immediately with its punchy and rather blunt title, 'Blow It Up, Burn It Down, Kick It 'Til It Bleeds'. Unlike its predecessor, this album features vocals throughout from Brighton based folkie Mary Hampton.
Feeling rather relieved that this isn't an album of instrumentals; Mary's voice coupled with the sparky energy of opener 'Tension' is a sure winner. The upbeat, low-key electronica is lively and innovative and greatly likeable. Things continue strongly with the more acoustic 'For the Best', which manages to sound rather simple despite the inclusion of electronics adding layers to the sound. Here the emotive style of Mary's voice is showcased beautifully and the end result is a song twinkling with fragility. 'I Mean Wow' is another slower song, this time a more ambient sounding one with an intro of ethereal vocals. The song soon changes pace as most on this album do, and the use of an organ and Rhodes only enhance the wondrous experience that listening to this album is turning out to be.
'Everything is Beautiful' is a harpsichord fuelled wonder, a soft song with a pulsating rhythm and a jangling heart. 'Relatively Good Times' opens with a 1980s intro reminiscent of any electro/guitar combo of that era. The vocals here are very subdued and muffled with a very ethereal result. 'Come Into Force' is a burst of fast paced indie with dual vocals and careening guitars. 'Le Roque' begins as more relaxed electronica with a warm fuzziness complimented by crunching guitars. This song is one of many with a very European sound reminiscent of bands like Ladytron and of course Stereolab, who create a very continental sound despite predominantly English band members.
The final track, 'Blow It Up...'is an infectious example of what this album has to offer, a memorable blend of indie and electronica with enough variety to encourage listening binges. A mighty fine album from a band with an album as excellent as its title.