Let’s get it out of the way: what is Simian Mobile Disco? It’s undoubtedly one of the more unusual names in music today. But doing some investigative sleuthing, or really just putting two and two together, the name itself isn’t much of a conundrum. Going on just the facts alone, Simian draws itself from the pysch-rock English act whose former members, the two James’—James Shaw and James Ford—now make up this Simian version 2.0, which to take a page of one the duo’s influences (Daft Punk), are much “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” than its former predecessor. Mobile proved the toughest to decipher, but going from a prior four members to a more formidable duo, well it makes it more mo…well, you get it. Disco by far proved to be easiest to crack, as if you stepped into a club this year or just listened to recent releases from Klaxons or Arctic Monkeys or a remix of an Air or The Rapture track you may have grooved without knowing who the production/remix team behind it was. Bangers this catchy don’t come very often and courtesy of SMD and their tremendous debut record, Attack Decay Sustain Release, they come at an often-brisk rate. No need to crack this title, just dance.
In a mere 30-plus minutes, the group has sustained the pleasure principle without over exceeding its boundaries. Essentially pop nuggets down to its very core, with the bells, whistles and, quite evocatively, the synth flares that we’ve normally come to expect, the trend of tired plodding six-minute sweeps of electronica are not to be found here, but rather replaced by three-minute gratification that is pure sugarcoated ADD confection—even with its unrelenting brevity what with its hooky ebbs and super-sweaty flows—it still is ever so seamless due to the sum of its many assorted parts.
From space to the schoolyard, immediate beats for the intent of good ole fashioned fun are just part of the game for SMD. Interstellar sounds galaxies far, far away may very well be undocumented, but chances are it might sound like “Sleep Deprivation,” the pulsating electronic noise is of the utmost caliber. And if it’s true that in space no one can hear you scream, me and SMD can get as raucous as we want at the schoolyard during “Hot Dog,” shimming amongst the synth and cocoa puffing away until it hurts.
Sure enough, what we ultimately want is to get on that dance floor, and thankfully the duo can bring the party. “Tits and Acid” plays just how you’d expect the very image this title creates. A single drop mindwarps into a kinetic rush of alarms and clean electronic sheens where the only shreds of contact are distress codes anticipating the inevitable: just “daaaaaaaance.” It’s a perfect complement to “Hustler,” the centerpiece of the record, what with its ability to break out the pimp hand based instantaneously on the opening endearing phrase of “I’m a hustler baby.” It’s by far the most accessible track due to the mash up with rap jam “Hustlin” by Rick Ross and most significantly by the sooo not safe for work music video that enhances the rather mundane game of telephone, making it as hot as the beat that complements it.
It’s with modulation, however, that can be the mother of invention and SMD again succeeds by slowing down the tempo, allowing to the beat to take hold. Having previously worked with Brian Eno (Eno producing the second Simian record), the Londoners honor him with “Scott,” an ambient closer that bookends the hyperactivity with a shimmering wave of white light. But it’s with the requisite hit “I Believe,” and its Euro-trashiness (all anchored by the preachy chorus sung by Simian vocalist Simon William Ford) that allows all the pieces (great beat, catchy hook and quick running time) to slow burn quite stunningly. It may be a bit early to say, but it’s okay to believe in SMD.
Attack Decay Sustain Release is out now via import or download
myspace.com/simianmobiledisco
Simian Mobile Disco – “I Believe” –
