Klaxons - Myths of the near future

There's something about this record that reminds me of The Pop Group.

First it may be the overwhelming sound, studio compressed to a stifling intensity, but with an undercurrent of excitement that is almost palpable.

It's very post-punk. 1984 era, borderline funk, borderline disco. There's something of KLF too. The start of "Atlantis to Interzone" could be off a White Room remix.

The drumming too is incredibly exciting, like all the bands in this little vanguard of "punk-disco" or whatever the NME are calling it this week, the rhythm section is unbelievable. Tight, propulsive, always pushing you forward, it's almost a physical experience listening to
them.

However, is there anything on here as wonderful as the Soulwax remix of "Gravity's Rainbow"? Well, almost, but few records could scale that height.

One feature I like is how regularly the pace changes. There's no feeling that a song should stay single-paced, and there's always drama around the corner. But it's excitement, dance, and insane throughout.

Also the lyrics have that density too. They reference a Uni education but are always oblique. Never prosaic. The lyric on Golden Skans, for example, is a tiny wonder, but it's not what strikes you most about the song or the album, that must be the raw excitement.

This is just a rock band after all, with a thumping bass and fantastic drums the backdrop to any number of other instruments and fantastic disco/punk chanting.

It's clearly not a quiet album. Not one for the headphones. More for parties or for in the car when going out... definitely not, in my view, for 7am trip to work. But there is some cerebral reward. "Isle of Her" (get it?) has a full sound and a slower pace but one that marches almost martial and wouldn't be so out of place on Brian Eno's "Taking Tiger Mountain"

It's the firestarting rhythm section that stars though and if you like raw fast rock/dance music that never lets up, and eventually wears you out, then this is a great record.

Personally, though, I still long for the Soulwax remix treatment.