Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 06/29/2004
Run Time: 37:32
Scary World Theory isn't a departure from the blueprint
Lali Puna followed on
Tridecoder. Indeed, it comes across like a more polished version of that album, adhering to the
Morr Music tenets of melodic beauty and delicate beats. Frontwoman
Valeria Trebeljahr still sounds like a long-lost sister to
Stereolab's
Laetitia Sadier, intoning gently over
IDM on a somber winter evening, and the music sounds more than ever like a cross between early
Stereolab,
New Order caught in a mesmerizing
funk,
Múm, and
Boards of Canada. The ten songs of
Scary World Theory are somehow emotionally touching and improvisational in feel, while emanating from complex arrangements and mostly icy electronic instruments. A great deal of credit for the album's mood should probably go to
Markus Acher, who moonlights in similar bastions of warmth yet emotional indifference
the Notwist and
Tied & Tickled Trio.
Scary World Theory begins with a trilogy of songs fitted with jazzy piano,
glitchy synths, and lush, crackling, and bubbly found-sounds that are as good as any electronic songs at the time of the album's release. Other highlights include the spooky "cookie monster" name-dropping throb of the title track, the warm,
Pet Shop Boys-inspired
dance grooves of
"Lowdown," and the shuffling, multi-tiered melodies of
"Don't Think." While the album doesn't always maintain one's interest over its running time, there are enough amazing songs that the album achieves greatness. The only fault one might find is that
Trebeljahr sometimes tries too hard to sound like a figure of sociopolitical authority, but she winds up sounding more awkward than she probably intended. The album is at its best when
Trebeljahr takes a breathy vocal approach and focuses on melodies over social commentary. As good as
Scary World Theory is, and it is amazing in its pristine warmth,
Lali Puna seems to have the potential to release an even more focused album that might define altogether the genre of
ambient electronic pop.
~Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide
Cart 0 items
Listen
