Still relatively unknown this side of the Irish Sea, Belfast duo Oppenheimer continue to pick up celebrity endorsements with every new note of space-age, techno-laced widescreen pop they produce. If the involvement of David Holmes and Tim Wheeler on 2006's self-released eponymous debut long-player wasn't enough, Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody recently called the pair "the Irish Flaming Lips or Mates Of State - an incredible new band". One thing's for sure: Oppenheimer can't be ignored for much longer.
Take The Mid-Range And Boost It is a more ambitious affair than its predecessor, soaked in radio-friendly hooks and synths that sound like The Postal Service gone happy go lucky, or even I Was A Cub Scout's older, wiser brothers. With a penchant for recreating the works of Brian Eno in a 21st Century Technicolor Dreamcoat, not to mention an embracing all genres from shoegaze to metal and hip-hop (their version of NWA's 'Straight Outta Compton', available as a free download here, has to be heard to be believed), Oppenheimer redefine the word eclectic by their own unconventional standards.
Although each of the twelve songs here is eclipsed in a combination of electronica-instigated effects and saccharine-sweet harmonies, most barely stretch the three-minute mark; thus, Take The Mid-Range... is more of an exercise in experimental pop than your everyday avant-garde Eno enthusiasts. Shaun Robinson's vocals do attract immediate comparisons with those of Wayne Coyne, although the subject matter of most of the songs - homages to celebrated gay authors ('Stephen McCauley For President') and crazy sound engineers ('Fireworks Are Illegal In The State Of New Jersey') - as well as the layered soundscapes that encapsulate them bear an uncanny resemblance to M83's more upbeat moments.
Elsewhere, 'I Don't Care What Anyone Says About You, I Think You're Alright' puts the vocoder back in vogue after Cher desecrated its corpse a decade ago, while album standout 'The Never Never', featuring a cameo from The Bronx's Matt Caughtran, perfectly illustrates Oppenheimer's ability to switch from swooning pop to feedback-encrusted noise at the flick of a switch.
Admittedly there is always a danger that over-exposure to something so sweet may ruin an appetite for something more substantial further down the line, but for now Take The Mid-Range And Boost It is as near to twisted pop perfection as you'll find anywhere.
Excellent review.
Good album although it doesn't stray too far from their debut.
But I can't find Straight Outta Compton anywhere!
You have to join the mailing list
via their website and they automatically send it as a free download in return.
Just so you know "Stephen McCauley For President"
Is about the second person you come across on google (a radio presenter) not the first one (a gay author).
But yes, great album.
Yeah I thought that as well
although Shaun did mention the author in a gig on Sunday
Google?
Are you insinuating that I've never heard of 'The Object Of My Affection' or 'Alternatives To Sex'?
The only other Steve Macauley I know was a no-nonsense centre-half that played for Crewe Alexandra in the mid 1990s.
How can you
only give it a 7 after that review I expecting to scroll down to see a 9 ??
I love this album though. As much as I liked the 1st one I think they've really grown some balls and really went for it this time! :)
Yeah
Only 7?!
Haven't heard this yet, the first one is great though, they're excellent live and lovely blokes to boot.
How did I miss the release of this!?
Great review, I'm off to order it now.