Tuesday, May 4, 2010

PANDA RIOT


PANDA RIOT
Far and near EP

The syncopated and manufactured sounds on Far and Near push beyond a simple defining metaphor - of leaving the world, floating away to someplace better. But it works. For all of Panda Riot’s ironic namesake the truth is the triumphant singing that penetrates most of ‘Julie in Time’ and much of the album feels uplifting, devoid of irony, devoid of anything harmful. Chicago's Panda Riot achieves something beyond shoegaze and ambiance/synth harmonics. It’s peaceful and cool simultaneously, a dreamy trip that ends too quickly but needlessly wants for more spins. Far and Near is at times angelic, vocals that are delightfully unearthly and music that echoes The Cure if they played completely uplifting melodies with restraint. The six songs at work here seem to flow into one long piece, the whole like a brilliant moment in time, the imagery brought about by the imaginative listener. Choice cuts: ‘When You Said/When I Said’ and ‘Julie in Time.’

Set for release May 11, 2010

Brian Tucker

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