JET SET RADIO

This release is chock full of trippy loops and groovy atmospheres , propelling the often quirky lyrics along at a brisk pace. Less psychedelic than the Ozric Tentacles, surely less techno than Yello but as groove oriented as mid-era Porcupinr Tree, Neil Randall and Bruce Soord (of Pineapple Thief fame) weave a highly distintive style, sprinkled with a very English touch, detailing tons of effects, liberal doses of " faux-Jazz" & outright symphonics that cavort with electronica. The entire opus is a continuum, a free flowing exploration of "chill" sounds with vivid soundscapes that flirt with the outer edges of conventional prog. Perhaps an aquired taste for some but then I never consider myself a critic (there's enough garbage out there in Pop land to slam) , more of a reviewer who loves the wide parameters offered by our beloved genre! But look at all the positives here: Soord's great guitar inventory, genuinely unique, Randall's vivid keys and reptilian bass and in keeping with prog tradition , they have a real drummer (bruce Campbell) instead of those damn computers.Yes, there are definite pastings of blurps and beeps to the overall sonic picture but I cannot help feeling that this is so unpretentious, picturing the musicians smiling and having fun creating this off-the-wall stuff. An open mind leads often to paradise. 4 knobs