DRM-free MP3 downloads on sale at: 7Digital, eMusic, Amazon, iTunes.

DRM-free MP3 downloads on sale at: 7Digital, eMusic, Amazon, iTunes.

Monsters Build Mean Robots open their debut album with a dark electronic buzzing sort of noise, probably from some sort of oscillator and I got settled in for something in the realm of Godspeed soundscapes. This is only a short intro track, however, and when the album proper kicks off it's clear it owes more to the style of Boards of Canada and Four Tet than the atmospheric noise of GY!BE.

The tracks here tend to be fairly minimal in approach, building up to full and layered pieces. The beats are full of programmed, glitchy sounds and what might be sounds recorded and fed back in as rhythm elements, something The Books do so well. Where Monsters Build Mean Robots diverges most from these easily cited influences is in their use of live-sounding overdubbed guitar parts and some nice vocal harmony arrangements, particularly on 'Chimes Break Through to Reach Us'.

It's not a flawless album: 'Sometimes We Sit & Stare at Passing Tanks' feels more like a remix of early Boards of Canada and Moby circa 'Play' for much of its length but it doesn't have you reaching for the skip button, and the greatness of tracks like 'The Freedom to Fire Freedom Rockets' and closer 'Shall I Fill with Air?' offset this massively. I've spun the album through a good number of times before writing this review and I can safely say it's good one that will keep your attention and enjoyment.

This release is through Nice Weather for Airstrikes, who were also involved in the recent 7" EP for You Me the Switch that I reviewed last month. Clearly they are doing well at establishing a quality catalogue

Theo Graham-Brown

Let's go politico! Guerrilla record label Nice Weather For Air Strikes are dropping the bomb with this debut release from Monsters Build Mean Robots - as Rory carroll reports...

Myspace has already condemned a generation of pimply - sometimes feral - youths to their computer, aimlessly waiting to see which of their friends have 'poked' them or added a new arty photo of themselves. More disturbingly, the very same website has also unleashed a heinous wave of stuttering, mockney-singing, NME cover vermin who are inevitably destined to chew up airwaves and monopolise the charts.

This is why it's refreshing to find a record label prepared to take a risk and put some integrity back into the industry. Independent label Nice Weather for Air Strikes have dedicated themselves to promoting innovative and inspirational music - and Monsters Build Mean Robots are one of the many jewels in their sparkling crown.

MBMR's self-titled debut draws from a diverse bank of influences, mixing equal parts processed beats with soft vocals and artful arrangements. There are echoes of Sigor Ros and Explosions in the Sky on the beautiful 'The Freedom To Fire Those Freedom Rockets,' which deploys tremolo guitar licks and swirling atmospherics to devastating effect. The duo have clearly taken issue with certain world events, and the album includes references to tanks, rockets and on one track (thisiswheretheoilcomesfrom.com) a website which clearly shows distaste for the oil industry. Sadly however, after a Google search it would appear that the website doesn't exist.

However, it's not all sweeping atmospherics and political referencing. Opening track 'Do Uncles Dream of Electric Kids' shares the familiar bassline grumble of an Aphex Twin song, and transitions seamlessly into the electric drum-loop laden 'Stroll Into Flames To Find Self.' You could easily roll you eyes at the fact that a band allegedly disillusioned with Myspace actually owns a Myspace - but that's just one of life's little ironies. The fact is that we need labels like Nice Weather for Air Strikes to keep giving bands like MBMR a fair chance in an increasingly competitive industry. Monsters do indeed build mean robots - how else would you explain Jeremy Kyle? - but on the face of this LP, they also make some damn fine music.

Artrocker rating: 4/5

Rory Carroll