Rubik, Dada Bandits (Stunt Company)
Oct 19, 2009 5:38 PM, Kristi Kates
3-D listening
This is Finnish pop-tronica band Rubik's U.S. debut set, which at first brings to mind the light and peppy sounds of Peter Bjorn and John or I'm From Barcelona. Upon further spins, however, it's clear that Rubik delves a little further into the complexities of their songs, with small, ear-pulling details throughout that catch your attention before flitting off into the background.
"No Escape" crackles with anthemic drums as layer of layer of itchy synths set the stage for the swooping vocal line, while "Wasteland" stacks up girl-boy vocals and tinkly synths like playing cards before it all tumbles down around the 2-minute mark into a carefree pseudo-chorus. "
You Jackal!!" starts with bubbly bass and subtle murmurings, and then carries on the dual vocal, keeping the male-female melodies an octave apart to great effect (as they do on several other songs). "Fire Age" takes a more indie-rock approach, moving into a series of '80s synth stops and starts, and eventually festooning the whole thing with horns. And "Karhu Junassa" uses its folky urgency, spare tambourine hits and pointy electric piano to hold its own within this set, which, despite some slightly tinny production, is worth a listen.
[3.5 out of 5 stars]
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