Supersystem, "A Million Microphones"

Having never heard El Gaupo, this band's early incarnation on Dischord, or Always Never Again, their previous album, I had no preconceptions or expectations with A Million Microphones. As a result, I was taken aback at how much I enjoyed these deceptively complex and addictive dance tracks.

Touch and Go

Every element of these songs seems meticulously planned for maximum effect. The variety of instruments both acoustic and electronic that the band uses could have produced tedious results, but instead even the simplest layers serve the music appropriately. The band is very tight, if not downright strict, in places, yet their exactitude works in their favor. The opener "Not the Concept" is engaging from the start, but the band truly starts differentiating themselves from their peers with the two that follow. "The Lake" shifts gears with a fun loping rhythm while a harp adds a lighter touch to "Eagles Fleeing Eyries." "White Light/White Light" is the album's most guitar-heavy song and the closest to a straight rocker. Its placement toward the end of the album manages to reenergize the album all over again. The variety of approaches to singing also keeps the music appealing, and it doesn't hurt that the lyrics are intelligent too, which isn't always the case with music designed for dancing. There's no lack of hooks on these songs, either, which goes a long way toward keeping this recording consistently entertaining. My only regret is that I didn't listen to this album sooner.