Robot Music

2009, M_nus.  From within the bleak, minimal landscape known as M_nus, what’s this we hear?  It’s the strains of a party going on…and people are smiling, dancing and having fun.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the clinical sci-fi minimalism of the m_nus camp.  But that’s what makes this long-player from Hobo all the more intriguing.  Perhaps in response to the depressing outlook of the world economy and the destruction of our planet, the Robots put their tireless mechanistic mission on pause and said, “The people could use a party!”

House party band, “Hobo” step up with nine tracks of light-hearted robo-house designed to make you forget your troubles.  It’s all funky machine rhythms, quirky synth melodies, zaps and blips.  At it’s best, this formula works quite well, as on the album opener “Failsafe” with it’s perky synth bass and deadpan vocals.   “I’m not it” puts a brisk electro beat with a warbly DnB bassline (think classic Tipper) to great effect.

While not as kitsch, this album feels a lot like that old Elektroids full-length on Warp and ends up suffering the same ills.  The formulaic electro-house program of “From A to B” works well taken in small doses, but in the duration of an hour, the sound starts to get a little grating.  Perhaps like me, no longer able to keep that party-time smile on their faces, Hobo turn toward the dark and menacing on the closer “Wayside.”  And I like it!  Maybe M_nus just doesn’t know how to do happy.  But it’s ok.  Sometimes the thing we need to face the bleak reality of our world is some bleak minimal techno.  Keep that coming.  -RM

Purchase or preview this release.