Shortwave Set • Replica Sun Machine
If you’ve never heard of The Shortwave Set before, you might just be in for a treat. They sound like a cross between all the most acclaimed music of the last century; at times they’re showering us with Beatles vibes, later on they’ll be strumming and humming like Simon and Garfunkle, and sometimes they break out the Bowie. If you wanted an indication of when they were coming from just look at ‘Now Til ‘69’. And this is not by any means a poor imitation: Replica Sun Machine is highly enjoyable. You will share the 40 minutes you spend listening to the album between nodding, tapping and humming along to their irrepressibly cheerful melodies.
The album Replica Sun Machine is like a Nazi gold mind enema for anyone who has become disillusioned with new music. It is also apt for the upcoming and • with any luck • damn fine summer; shot through with laidback rhythms and gentle hums.
But this album was not simply crafted to be gentle on the ears; it also displays a level of mature humour and sheer cleverness. Track 4 • ‘House of Lies’ • has this cunning in spades; all demonstratively smart wordplay and extended metaphors. If you don’t believe me check out the lyric ‘in the house of lies/there’s vacancies/so bring your alibis/but if you’ve got reservations/leave them down at the station/and you’ll be alright’.
The brilliant orchestration might have something to do with the involvement of Van Dyke Parks • whose talents were championed by no less than the Beach Boys. Glockenspiel glissandos and little synth buzzes pop in to tease your ears when they have become too relaxed. One track on which those orchestrations deserve a special commendation is Track 8: ‘Yesterdays to come’. Taking the nod from Mancini, they have written a track which was born to have a James Bond film written around it. In fact, seeing as there isn’t one currently; I might just do it myself.
All in all there is something on every level for the conscientious music lover on Replica Sun Machine, whether it be brilliant lyrical constructions, superb orchestrations or an excellent melodical collage of the whole shebang. Track it down, listen to it, and if you like to live dangerously you could even invest in a copy of the album, well worth it if you ask me.