The indie-disco highlight of last year's well-received self-titled album, this is another winning addition to the rapidly growing eighties synth revival. It starts out gently in that portentous way where you just know they have to explode into life any second now or else you'll commit a murderous act of vengeance on the HMV staff who allowed you to buy it. Sure enough, in it kicks, like the Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas" just after the "throw your arms around the world" bit. Adding fiercely potent spice to the mix, Shawn Christensen's vocals, with a barely-perceptible, ethereal aura of vocoder to them, jerk about like XTC and soar like Morrissey would if he were ever kidnapped by The Waterboys in a blue, rocket-powered gyrocopter. The B-sides, "Underdressed" and an acoustic version of "In The Walls" are a bit more drab and indie-schmindie but nice enough nonetheless. However, the real bonus is the inclusion of "My Coco"'s heart-warming promotion video. Enjoy. -Ian Martin, Apr.03.04

My Coco