For a band who've always seemed to be chasing the ghost of 1994-era Stereolab, there are still a lot of surprises on the new album from Dummy. Free Energy, out this week on Trouble in Mind Records, finds the group offering up familiar pleasures, while taking a few chances that strengthen their stylistic chops.
A smart nod to My Bloody Valentine, "Soonish" bobs and weaves around the room, even as "Opaline Bubbletear" strikes out for a more ruminative vibe. Spacious, the number is built around a saxophone, even as the drone-y "Minus World" is more punk than one might expect from these folks -- think Suicide or early solo Alan Vega. Elsewhere, "Blue Dada" and "Nullspace" are joyously-realized approximations of peak Stereolab singles, enough that even Tim Gane could be fooled.
Things get really interesting on "Dip in the Lake", and the closer "Godspin", both keyboard-centered pieces. Here, there's more variety in mood, and a premium placed on lovely, nearly atmospheric touches that really add new flavors to the approach of this outfit. For a set of artists so adept at virtually cloning the sounds of Stereolab and Broadcast, it's quietly thrilling to hear the same players stretch and take things in another direction less beholden to their obvious influences.
So Free Energy has enough to please fans of this band, as well as fans of the bands this band draws inspiration from. It's also a release which significantly broadens the scope of the group's reach. In that sense, it's the rarest of albums which should really please anyone who even casually follows this set of players. Maybe that means it's Dummy's best record yet.
Free Energy by Dummy is out this week on Trouble in Mind Records.
[Photo: Dummy]