STANDARDS

This is the group's more controversial album with that American flag and its obtuse liner and info notes. I'm not quite sure why it took the band around four years (aside the replacement of Pajo with Parker, the other fours remaining from day 1) to release Standards after that mediocre Millions album, but it's only a minor improvement to these ears in musical terms. Indeed we're still quite far away from the debut's excellence or the future albums to come. Indeed the electro-pop (already all-too present on the previous album) is again taking the lion's share of this album, but it's definitely less soporific; although I'm not sure we're better of in terms of ear-friendliness. Actually it's pretty hard to call Standards a post-rock album, because very few moments on the disc can pretend to be called so. There are still some trip- hop moods (but the usual Krautrock ones are gone) which saves the album from being an experimental techno music. Not exactly my cup of Earl Grey, for the mix is definitely awry and even stale. Best avoided, just like MLNWND, despite this one keeping you awake.