Mouse on Mars - Radical Connector

Alex Yamakazi - Wednesday, 9 February, 2005 - Print Version

After 10 years producing electronica, Mouse on Mars have managed to gain a strong following by producing a sound that is both unique to the band and unique to each release. We have come to expect an evolving sound from Mouse on Mars and Radical Connector again shows that MoM is not afraid to experiment and move forward.

Aptly named, Radical Connector explores the concept of juxtaposition. Throughout the album we are constantly presented with contrasts - warm ambient sounds and warm ambient vocals meet with cold digitised vocals and choppy electronic sounds. Radical Connector also showcases a much more vocal sound than previous MoM releases.

The album starts out very strongly with the strangely touching, emotionally pure yet undeniably electronic "Mine is in yours". The guitar sound in this track is evocative of early Smashing Pumpkins and is teamed with tender, emotional but also highly digitised vocals. Track two “Wipe that sound” is also exceptional, based around a dance floor friendly funk based groove with some very cute disco-esque "ooohey ooohey" backing vocals it is probably the most commercial track on the album and indeed of MoMs entire career. Other highlights include: "Blood Comes" which brings in some Prince type vocals and is a hell of a lot more fun than it sounds, the icily beautiful "Send me Shivers" and "The End" which is both dark and sexy.

MoM take no obvious or easy routes and for this reason many will find Radical Connector a challenging listen. Those who approach this album with an open mind and accept that electronic doesn't always equate to danceable will find this album vastly rewarding.

Alex Yamakazi

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