|
My first encounter with Mixel Pixel was a few months ago as
openers for a live Single Frame show. Their set was rather
eclectic, a little low rent, and strange in a psychedelic-redneck-meets-Devo
sort of way. My memory of their music is decidedly different from
the offering I have here now. And, I would say that's for the better.
"Cyclone Took My Baby" was probably their most notable track
and video prior to Music For Plants, which was made to look
like a trailer park version of Dire Straits' "Money for
Nothin'." It was pretty damn funny, but musically was far from
the inspired electro-pop-genius of Music For Plants. This album
is chock full of colorful '60s barrages of bumble-bee-buzz that could
enhance your psychotropic experimentations, or simply serve in their
stead.
The band lineup for this album boasts two new members (Kaia Wong
and Matt Snee) who undoubtedly provided the missing keys to
form the sort of synergy that makes it not only a deliriously delicious
slice of cheesecake experimentalism, but with equal measures of clever
pop-snap and driving rock seamlessly integrated in make for a sonically
rich listening experience.
This album is notable for its uniqueness as well. Its influences
are varied, and recognizable, but the music as a whole doesn't really
sound like anything else. And that garners a lot of respect in my
corner of the music world. It can be aimless and spacy, like the swirling
fugues of Vangelis, and then suddenly switch to the beat-driven
New Wave rock/rap of latter-day Blondie. Fans of this band
are in for a treat, but others would do well to check 'em out too.
-JD
Track Listing:
1. You're the Kind of Girl
2. Switchblade Sister
3. Coming up X's
4. Black Van
5. I Cannot Die
6. Behind the Sun?
7. Ghost for Life
8. Abandon Ship
9. These Mortality Pictures
10. Turkish Delights
Check out
more reviews
 Talk
Back
e-mail the chief
Like this article?
e-mail
it to a friend!
|
Mixel
Pixel 
