My Dear Disco DanceThink LP

Maybe it's just that I'm not that into electro-disco, but I couldn't get this off my iPod fast enough.

The whole album works marginally well in a 1980's rollerskate-ish kind of way, and I was almost able to achieve a full scale robot dance in the comfort of my living room while listening. The musicianship in the band's lineup is actually pretty top-notch, but the record seems to be missing some soul. Most of it feels like the group is attempting this huge escape from the electronica prison armed with disco-infused synthesizers, guitars, and lead singer Michelle Chamuel's software-enhanced vocals, but never getting past the first security guard. Speaking of vocals, if ever there were an album that could benefit from MORE chipmunk-style pitch correction, this would be it. Chamuel's voice isn't terrible in the least, but the whole feel of the music is entirely better when she's adjusted to sound like a robot, or when the band mimics an 8-bit Atari feel (For Your Love intro).

Perhaps I'm being a bit too reactionary. I must admit that I was never into the BeeGees, ABBA, clubbing, or much electronica, and My Dear Disco may sound a bit better to someone with a few more parkay dance floor nights under their vintage acrylic belt. I'm sure somebody out there can enjoy the sugary synthesized sounds and overall high-energy danceability of DanceThink - I just prefer to listen to Justice's †. I do know for a fact that I can perform snappier robot maneuvers to DVNO.