SINGLES/EPS
LOS ALAMOS
Burn Down, Build, Burn Again
(Independent)
8/10
Sydney three-piece Los Alamos have released what is a very exciting five- track EP. With likings to Cog, Dead Letter Circus and Karnivool, LA are able to elaborately meld building melodies with progressive, climaxing finales. Instrumental track 'Massif' is hypnotically powerful and showcases LA's ability to sound awesome even without the assistance of vocals (LukeD).
MAPLETONS
Santa Barbara
(Independent)
7.5/10
You may know Mapletons as an organic food producer from the USA, but did you know they are also an upcoming musical duo from Brisbane? And organic in sound they are as well! Their undemanding yet elegant new and first EP 'Santa Barbara' is an outstanding debut from Kane Mazlin and Derek Orr. Winners of the 'MySpace HP Express Yourself' competition, these two Brisbane boys are onto something special and I can't wait to hear more from them (Jenliza).
PIVOT
In the Blood
(Warp/Inertia)
8/10
Making history as the first Australian act to be signed to the iconic Warp Records label, Sydney's Pivot give us a taste of their forthcoming album 'O Soundtrack My Heart'. So are they deserving of such an honour? In short, yes. 'In the Blood' is a dark and menacing instrumental that creeps along with all the improve-sounding wizardry of label mates Battles combined with the synth-charged genius of Autechre. 'In the Blood' is surreal, experimental and well worth a listen (MK ULTRA).
THE RZA AS BOBBY DIGITAL
U Can't Stop Me Now
(Shock)
7.5/10
While RZA is not busy being the Wu-Tang mastermind he's busy being the wackest rapper around. So it's surprising to say that 'U Can't Stop Me Now (ft Inspectah Deck)' is actually a pretty straightforward song that would fit quite perfectly alongside Gorillaz on any radio station's playlist. Welcome back Bobby Digital! (Jake 3)
THE SCIENTISTS OF MODERN MUSIC
Electronic Sunset
(Rubber Records/EMI)
7/10
Looking for a new electronic sound? You might want to give The Scientists of Modern Music a spin. The duo have been ripping it up in Hobart for a while now and are finally bringing their sound to the masses with 'Electronic Sunset'. The 20-year-olds already have a bit of street cred thanks to being the first Tassie band named as a Triple J Next Crop finalist (2006), and nominated in the Hottest 100 (2007). The 10-track release includes three remixes plus an 'Easy' remix by Mr Myagi. There are influences of Daft Punk throughout the album, but the robot lyrics are perhaps a bit too overdone. On the whole, the Tassie boys get top marks for creativity and effort. Give them a bit more time to hone and develop their skills and they will be killin' it to the big crowds (NicolaK).
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