It's unfortunate that so many acts from the past and present have done their best to keep people uninterested in electronic music. Whether it's a casual stroll past any number of clothing stores in the mall, or an ear-numbing night out at that oh-so-trendy bar downtown, there's currently a lot to dislike about much of the synthesized offerings available to us.

Then there's the other side of the street. There are groups out there legitimately progressing their styles, while also laying some foundations for what other musical genres will draw some inspiration from down the road. I'm talking about your Massive Attacks, your Underworlds, your Chemical Brothers, your BTs, etc.

So it's both satisfying and regrettable to be able to recommend 2 Bit Pie's new album, 2 Pie Island, as something that lands squarely in the latter group, in terms of quality, as opposed to the former. Satisfying in the sense that it's always nice to find a new album that seems built on quality over focus-group fashion trends. But it's also regrettable, since quality is a tough sell these days. Quality rarely sells energy drinks and designer hair spray, unless you dress it up in a halter top. But hopefully 2 Bit Pie can manage to rise above it.

If nothing else, they have pedigree going for them. Comprised chiefly of members from the group Fluke, as well as producer Andy Gray, the Pie is also expanded to include guest vocalists Jan Burton (Syntax) and Yukiko Ishii, as well as other musical contributors. Although there's a larger collective at work here, don't mistake it for another faceless uber-group (think Gorillaz). The sound is firmly rooted in an updated Fluke vein, with the crunchy guitars and big production of Gray at the fore.

The disc opens up with “Fly”, where all guest cylinders are firing, featuring triple vocals from Burton, Ishii, and Fluke's Jon Fugler. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it sounded like dirty house meets Linkin Park, only nicer. Then you slip into “Here I Come”, where some vintage techno flavors mingle with a classic Fluke groove. “Colours” follows, combining guitars and ethnic percussion with a typically compelling Jan Burton vocal, and coming across as a Syntax track that never was.

Article Author: David R Perry

Lost somewhere in the rolling hills of Tennessee, David R Perry can occasionally be found doing dark, unspeakable things to words. Printed words, spoken words, electronically mangled words... really any kind but twittered words.

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