He plays a very understated, minimalist, style of electronic music. This is something you would put on at the end of the night when it's just a few close friends left at the party, and everyone would dance hip to hip. I love the groovy, jazz laden feel to the flow and the latin percussion at the edge of your consciousness adds a nice bit of pizazz to it. This sound would have worked in the 60's but I don't think they would have known what to make of it.
'It' being the emerging 2010 trend of merging classic synthpop with Indie sensibilities. 'Lions in cages' sat in my Itunes playlist un-noticed for several months. The song would come on and I would just assume it was Foster the People, or MGMT, or some such. However, today I was like "Who is that anyway?" and apparently I only had 2 tracks from some sampler CD's. An hour later I'm enjoying the album 'Suego Faults' for all of it's pop sensibilities. It's like an alchemical distilation of what is great about new music in the last few years. Songs like 'Stay and Defend' blend effortlessly between synthpop touches and overtones of The The's "This is the day", but by the time you get to the title track you have a piano accord hinting at the groove to come. This album is fun and energetic, warm and comfortable, new but familiar, all at the same time.
My wife tells me that the lead singer totally has a Michael Hutchins vibe about him. I have to say I agree. - Mik
As their previous album was dropped in 2007, The Shins' 2012 release of Port of Morrow was anticipated by many. This album definitely exceeded my expectations and keeps me coming back to listen again and again. "Port of Morrow," in particular, stuck out to me because of Mercer's harrowing vocals combined with the song's message of rebirth and recycling of life.
Zammuto - Too Late to Topologize
I heard Zammuto for the first time when I went to see Explosions in the Sky this summer. They opened the show and did an incredible job of creating a unique atmosphere by combining video projection (mostly nostalgic home videos) with electronic rhythms and heavy vocal effects. If this song in particular doesn't suit you, I encourage you to check out their entire self titled album, which was released in April of this year... Each song differs from the last and offers a variety of sounds.
