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These West Island wunderkinds deliver the very quintessence of college rock. I don't mean some jangly R.E.M. derivative, mind you. Musically, they're a liberal arts program: funkified folkrock, sunstroked hippieisms, ska, twang and harebrained heaviosity, all pulled off quite competently. The collegiate comparison comes with the lyrics, though. They're so chock-full of philosophy text references and 50-cent words that you could transcribe them, submit them as a term paper and probably pull a B+. A bong in one hand, a BA in the other... now that's higher learning. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Girls Against Boys Freak*on*ica (DGC/Universal) Girls Against Boys could be the Psychedelic Furs of the '90s: Scott McCloud's growl is a swallowed razor blade away from Dick Butler's gravel, there are those obliquely carnal lyrics, and both bands rock(ed) while flirting with dance. But the P-Furs went into cold storage with the end of one dance era while GVSB heat up in another. The NYC-based band's major label debut is both more "electronic" and more "metal" at the same time, resulting in some rare, late-'90s hard rock that isn't hard-headed. 7/10 (Chris Yurkiw)
Those familiar with Keyboard Repair, Mr. Ramos-Nishita's somewhat self-indulgent scrapbook of a couple of years back, will recognize the low-key, tweaky mutant lounge funk of "Bossa Nova 101" and the title track as home turf. The curveball comes with digressions into sensitive rockeur terrain ("Rock in the Rain," "Tomorrow Will Be Like Today"). The money man is a fish out of water here, but given his inherent creativity and low-key goofiness, he'll learn to swim fast enough. 7.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Various Sauna Connections (Sauna/Fusion III)
Leave it to the Finnish to put together a compilation inspired by the "sauna experience, an essential part of Finnish culture." This, in case you haven't sussed yet, is one weird compilation. Featuring mostly Helsinki-based producers like Corporate 09 and New Composers, it takes generic liberties by mixing refrigerated electro and trilling Aphex-ish ambients with deep garage and bongofied hard house, all sounding like it's come outta the Tribal back catalogue. A real find for the eclectic listener. Recommended. Hot stuff. Gonna make ya sweat, etc.... 7.5/10 (Mireille Silcott)
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The Golden Mean Paradigm (independent)
Money Mark Push the Button (Mo'Wax/A&M)